The human adrenal cortex is a complex organ which is composed of various cell types including not only steroidogenic cells but also mesenchymal cells, immunocompetent cells and neurons. Intermingling of these diverse cell populations favors cell-to-cell communication processes involving local release of numerous bioactive signals such as biogenic amines, cytokines and neuropeptides. The resulting paracrine interactions play an important role in the regulation of adrenocortical cell functions both in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Especially, recent evidence indicates that adrenocortical cell microenvironment is involved in the pathogenesis of adrenal disorders associated with corticosteroid excess. The paracrine factors involved in these intraadrenal regulatory mechanisms may thus represent valuable targets for future pharmacological treatments of adrenal diseases.

人肾上腺皮质是一个复杂的器官，由多种细胞类型组成，不仅包括类固醇生成细胞，还包括间充质细胞、免疫活性细胞和神经元。这些不同细胞群的混合有利于细胞间通讯过程，包括局部释放大量生物活性信号，如生物胺、细胞因子和神经肽。由此产生的旁分泌相互作用在生理和病理生理条件下肾上腺皮质细胞功能的调节中起重要作用。特别是，最近的证据表明，肾上腺皮质细胞微环境参与了与皮质类固醇过量相关的肾上腺疾病的发病机制。