Aberrant Interleukin-1 Receptors in a Cortisol-Secreting Adrenal Adenoma Causing Cushing's Syndrome

Cortisol-secreting adrenal adenomas are an uncommon cause of Cushing's syndrome. Little is known about the events leading to the formation of these tumors, but molecular defects, including activating mutations of receptors for corticotropic factors, have been suspected in this process. Structural mutations of the corticotropin-receptor gene have not been detected in these tumors,1 but some have had gastric inhibitory polypeptide,2,3 vasopressin,4 and more recently, β-adrenergic receptors.5 In this report, we provide evidence of the involvement of immune cells and one of their cytokine products in the formation of an adrenocortical adenoma in a patient with Cushing's syndrome. A striking . . .