Bilateral Adrenal Hyperplasia: Pathogenesis and Treatment

Abstract

Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia is a rare cause of Cushing’s syndrome. Micronodular adrenal hyperplasia, including the primary pigmented micronodular adrenal dysplasia (PPNAD) and the isolated micronodular adrenal hyperplasia (iMAD), can be distinguished from the primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) according to the size of the nodules. They both lead to overt or subclinical CS. In the latter case, PPNAD is usually diagnosed after a systematic screening in patients presenting with Carney complex, while for PBMAH, the diagnosis is often incidental on imaging. Identification of causal genes and genetic counseling also help in the diagnoses. This review discusses the last decades’ findings on genetic and molecular causes of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, including the several mechanisms altering the PKA pathway, the recent discovery of ARMC5, and the role of the adrenal paracrine regulation. Finally, the treatment of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia will be discussed, focusing on current data on unilateral adrenalectomy.

1. Introduction

Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is characterized by an excess of cortisol production. In 80% of cases, it is due to an over-secretion of the adrenal corticotrophin hormone (ACTH) by a corticotroph pituitary adenoma, or more rarely, by a neuroendocrine tumor. The other 20% is due to a primary overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands, with the most frequent etiology being a benign cortisol-secreting adenoma. Other causes of adrenal CS include adrenocortical carcinoma and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, that account for less than 10% of patients presenting with adrenal CS [1]. Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia may be isolated or part of a syndrome (

Table 1. Germline defect associated with adrenal hyperplasia. ¹ NA: Not Applicable: the described mutations may lead only to adrenal hyperplasia, but they have been described only in case reports.

Gene	Genetic	Function	Phenotype	Frequency of the Adrenal Hyperplasia in Case of Mutations of the Gene
PRKAR1A	Unique inactivating mutations spread along the gene. 3 hotspots (c.709(−7–2)del6, c.491–492delTG, c82C > T). Large deletions described	Regulatory subunit R1α of the PKA. Inhibition of PKA pathway	Isolated PPNAD (~12%) Carney complex: cardiac, skin and breast myxomas, lentigines, pituitary adenoma or hyperplasia (GH +/− PRL), LCCST, osteochondromyxoma, schwannomas	26% to 60% [1,2,3]
PRKACA	Amplification of the gene	Catalytic subunit Cα of the PKA. Activation of PKA pathway	PBMAH Macroglossia?	NA 1
GNAS	Post-zygotic activating mutations Two hotspots (p.R201H and p.C174Y)	G protein subunit alpha stimulating. Activation of PKA pathway	Macronodular adrenal hyperplasia Mc Cune Albright syndrome: precocious puberty, Café-au-lait spot, polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, somatotroph adenoma or prolactinoma, multinodular goiter, hyperthyroidism	Near 5% [4,5]
PED8B PDE11A	Unique inactivating mutations	Phosphodiesterase type 8B and 11A. Inactivation of PKA pathway	iMAD	NA 1
MC2R	Unique activating mutations	ACTH receptor. Activation of the PKA pathway.	PBMAH	NA 1
ARMC5	Unique inactivating mutations spread along the gene.	Potentially control apoptosis and cell cycle. Interaction with PKA pathway and steroidogenesis?	PBMAH Meningioma (several cases described)	ND, High penetrance described in families
MEN1	Unique inactivating mutations spread along the gene. Large deletions	Scaffold protein controlling gene transcription and many other cellular functions, such as proliferation	PBMAH Pituitary adenoma Primary hyperparathyroidism Neuroendocrine tumors	Case reports
FH	Unique inactivating mutations spread along the gene.	Krebs cycle	HLRCC: leiomyomatosis, renal cell cancer	Estimated at 0.8% [6]
APC	Unique inactivating mutations spread along the gene.	Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathway	PBMAH Familial adenomatous polyposis	Case reports

). Two groups of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia can be distinguished according to the morphologic presentation: the primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) and the micronodular forms, including the primary pigmented micronodular adrenal (PPNAD) and the isolated micronodular adrenal hyperplasia (iMAD).

Descriptions of familial forms and the bilateral characteristics of the disease suggested that these diseases were genetically determined, which has been confirmed in nearly 70% of the PPNAD and 25% of the PBMAH cases. Most of the genes involved in bilateral adrenal hyperplasia are tumor-suppressor genes. According to Knudson’s theory, one allele is inactivated by a germline mutation (i.e., detectable at the leukocyte level) and the other allele is inactivated at the somatic level (i.e., only present at the tumor level). In addition, most of the genetic or molecular alterations described in these diseases lead to the activation of the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. The cAMP pathway is a ubiquitous intracellular signaling pathway, regulating several cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, and hormonal activity in endocrine tissues. In adrenals, ACTH binds to its seven-transmembrane domain receptor coupled to the G protein, the MC2R (melanocortin receptor 2), leading to the activation of the Gs subunit. The activated Gs protein stimulates the adenyl cyclase, which synthesizes cAMP. The cAMP binds to the regulatory subunits of the protein kinase A (PKA). The latter dissociates from the catalytic subunits, which then phosphorylate their targets, such as CREB (cAMP Response Binding Protein), a transcription factor involved in adrenal proliferation and steroidogenesis. The cAMP is degraded by phosphodiesterases [2] (Figure 1A). Mutations in the different actors of this pathway or other events, such as the abnormal expression of G-protein coupled receptors are, so far, the most frequent and described alterations in bilateral adrenal diseases (Figure 1B,C). However, in 2013, the discovery of alteration of ARMC5 (armadillo repeat containing 5) in PBMAH brought new insights into the pathogenesis of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (Figure 1C).

There is no consensus on the management of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia for several reasons: the disease is rare, patients may present with subclinical CS, and bilateral surgery exposes patients to definitive adrenal insufficiency. Bilateral adrenalectomy used to be the treatment of choice when the decision to treat CS patients was made. Since then, unilateral adrenalectomy has been proposed in both PBMAH and PPNAD, offering interesting results, especially in patients with PBMAH (Figure 2).

This review states the current data on pathogenesis and treatment of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia.

2. Clinical Features

2.1. Micronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia

2.1.1. PPNAD

Bilateral micronodular adrenal hyperplasia is characterized by micronodules (<1 cm). Histologically, the adrenal cortex shows small pigmented nodules surrounding an atrophic cortex. Adrenal weight and size remain normal [3,4,5]. PPNAD is the most common endocrine manifestation of the Carney complex (CNC). In only 12% of patients, PPNAD appears to be isolated [6]. Contrary to the PPNAD, the isolated micronodular hyperplasia (iMAD) is characterized by a hyperplasia of the internodular tissue [7]. The etiology is unknown in most cases.

A minority of patients develop PPNAD during the first three years of life, while most will develop the disease during the second and third decades [8]. After puberty, 70% of patients with PPNAD are female [6]. This female predisposition is poorly explained, but the role of estrogen has been suspected.

The clinical presentation of the disease varies among patients, even in the same family. Patients may present with subclinical or overt CS, with sudden or insidious onset. Cyclic forms with sudden onset of intense hypercortisolism followed by spontaneous remission have also been described [9,10]. Around 25% of the patients with CNC present with overt CS [8]. Lack of suppression of cortisol after a low-dose dexamethasone test is observed in 60% of CNC patients [6]. Interestingly, the autopsies of patients with CNC revealed adrenal dysplasia in all patients, even those who remained asymptomatic [8].

Biologically, fluctuation in the urinary free cortisol (UFC) is frequently observed. A paradoxical elevation of cortisol after four days of a high-dose dexamethasone suppression test has been described in the disease [4], but its sensitivity is low (39%) [11].

A high-resolution computed tomography scan before and after contrast enhancement may detect micronodules that appear as hypodense spots scattered throughout the gland [12]. Occasionally, macronodules are detected, especially in elderly subjects [13].

Two cases of adrenocortical cancer [14,15], one case of benign androgen-secreting adenoma [16] and one case of pheochromocytoma [11], have been described in patients with PPNAD. The occurrence of these adrenal tumors is exceptional, and the causality relationship with the PPNAD is unclear.

2.1.2. Carney Complex

The CNC was first described in 1985 by J. Aidan Carney at the Mayo Clinic [3]. The endocrine and non-endocrine manifestations of CNC are numerous and vary among patients. This disease can be considered as an endocrine and non-endocrine multiple neoplasia syndrome [17]. The prevalence of CNC is difficult to determine because of its rarity. In the most extensive series, including the cohorts of the National Institute of Health (USA), the Mayo Clinic (USA), and the Cochin Hospital (Paris, France), 353 cases were studied [6]. More than 500 patients are currently known to these centers [18], with women representing about 60% of the patients [6,8]. All ethnic groups may be affected [8]. About 70% of cases are familial with autosomal dominant transmission [6,8,19]. The remaining cases are currently considered sporadic. The mean age of diagnosis of the disease is 20 years [8]. In a minority of patients (2%), the diagnosis was made at birth [8]. There is phenotypic variability within families with different ages of expression and onset of manifestations [6,11].

Diagnostic criteria were proposed in 2001 [8]. Manifestations and their frequency are described in

Table 2. Manifestations of Carney Complex.

Clinical Features	Frequency (%) [1,2,3]	Age at Diagnosis (Years) [2,3]
PPNAD	45–68	Median: 25 Bimodal age distribution: in the first 3 years of life or in the 2nd and 3rd decades
Skin lesion
Lentigines	56–70	From birth or appear progressively, fade after the 4th decade
Blue naevi	17–50	May appear in early childhood years
Cutaneous myxoma	20–45	May appear within the first 10 years of life
Cardiac myxoma	23–53	Median: 29 Described in the first years of life
Hypersomatotropism	10–19	Median: 35
Thyroid tumors	5–25	May appear within the first 10 years of life
Psammomatous melanotic schwannoma	8–10	Median: 35
Osteochondromyxoma	2–6	Described in the first years of life but also in adults
Breast lesions	19–42	Breast myxomas may appear in childhood
LCCSCT	33–41	Median: 28 Described from the first years of life

. Cardiac myxomas can affect any cardiac chambers and constitute a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CNC. Myxomas also develop in breasts and skin. Lentigines and blue naevi are frequent manifestations of the disease but are not very specific in contrast with cutaneous myxomas [10]. Pituitary manifestations include abnormality of the somatotroph and/or lactotroph axis. Most patients have no signs of acromegaly. Pituitary MRI is often normal [20]. Thyroid manifestations usually considered as part of the complex include bilateral macronodules and papillary or follicular carcinomas. The Large Cell Calcifying Sertoli Tumors (LCCST) are the most frequent gonadal lesion described in males. Ovarian cysts are often observed in females [10,11]. Other breast lesions, including adenoma and maybe carcinomas, are observed [11]. Schwannomas in CNC are characterized by the presence of psammoma bodies and melanin. Malignity has been reported in 10% of patients. Other rare tumors include osteochondromyxomas and pancreatic tumors, especially pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm [10].

2.2. Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia

2.2.1. PBMAH

PBMAH is characterized by the presence of several nodules > 1 cm, usually in both adrenal glands. It was described for the first time in 1964 [21]. The disease affects both sexes, but females may be more represented among sporadic cases. The adrenal hyperplasia is slowly progressing, and the CS appears insidiously after several years of evolution. Thus, diagnosis is often made after the fourth decade. Familial forms have been described.

PBMAH is considered a rare disease, but its prevalence is probably underestimated. Most of the PBMAH have an incidental diagnosis by imaging performed for an unrelated reason. Prevalence of adrenal incidentaloma is estimated at 1% to 5% of abdominal imaging, and 2.7% to 10% of them are bilateral. Subclinical CS is observed in 35% to 40% of these bilateral incidentalomas, and a certain number of cases may correspond to PBMAH [22]. Other patients are diagnosed with PBMAH because of the presence of CS. However, PBMAH is more often responsible for subclinical CS. If published series are biased in including the most severe forms, subclinical CS may concern at least 50% of the cases in the largest published series [23]. Interestingly, the disease is heterogeneous regarding the cortisol over-secretion and the morphologic presentation, even in a family. The question remains if patients with macronodular adrenal hyperplasia on imaging but without biological alteration are indeed PBMAH.

Differential diagnosis includes bilateral adrenal hyperplasia observed in situations of chronic adrenal overstimulation by ACTH (Cushing’s disease, ectopic secretion of ACTH, congenital adrenal hyperplasia) [24]. Mutation in the NR3C1 gene, encoding for the glucocorticoid receptor, has also been identified in 5% of a series of patients presenting with bilateral adrenal incidentalomas. These patients do not have features of CS despite an increased urinary free cortisol and an unsuppressed cortisol post-dexamethasone test, consistent with the resistance of cortisol due to the loss of function of the GR. In addition, their ACTH level is unsuppressed. However, they may develop hypertension due to an alteration of the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity [25].

In patients diagnosed with PBMAH, there is no specific recommendation for imaging follow-up. At diagnosis, the European Endocrine Society recommends an individual follow-up of each adrenal incidentaloma bigger than 4 cm or spontaneous density above 10 UH (these two features being often observed in PBMAH), with subsequential imaging at 6 months [26]. Regarding the slow progression of the disease, the stability of the hyperplasia will likely be observed. Notably, the occurrence of adrenal carcinoma has not been described so far in patients presenting with PBMAH. It is also not clear if further imaging is needed since the speed of evolution of the disease is unknown. Often, the evolution of hypercortisolism, including its clinical impact and treatment decision, will guide the realization of other CT scans.

2.2.2. Multiple Tumor Syndromes Associated with Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia

MEN1: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disease linked to mutations in the MEN1 gene (11q13). It includes primary hyperparathyroidism (95%), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (50%), pituitary adenomas (40%), and thymic carcinoid tumors [27]. While adrenal lesions (hyperplasia or nodules) have been reported in up to 50% of patients with MEN1 [28,29,30], the presence of Cushing’s syndrome of adrenal origin remains relatively rare, described in only 0.6% of patients in the French Group of Endocrine tumors cohort [28]. The occurrence of PBMAH has been reported in two patients with MEN1 [28,31]. The causal link between MEN1 and adrenal tumors is supported by the development of adrenal tumors or hyperplasia in mice carrying deletions of specific exons of the MEN1 gene [32].

Fumarate Hydratase: Autosomal dominant mutations in the fumarate hydratase (FH) gene (located on chromosome 1q43) are responsible for hereditary leiomyomatosis-kidney cancer syndrome (HLRCC). FH is an enzyme of the Krebs cycle that allows the conversion of fumarate to malate. Ten HLRCC patients presenting with PBMAH treated by adrenalectomy have been reported [33,34]. One of these PBMAH patients harbored a loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the gene locus [33], supporting a causal link between the FH mutations and the occurrence of PBMAH. Interestingly, a germline FH mutation was also characterized in a sporadic case of PBMAH [35].

Familial polyposis coli: Familial polyposis coli or Gardner’s syndrome due to mutation in the APC gene is characterized by multiple colonic polyps and colon cancers at an early age. Patients may also present with pigmented retinal lesions, desmoid tumors, osteomas, thyroid nodules or cribriform thyroid cancers, and other malignancies [36]. The development of PBMAH has also been described in these patients [35,37,38]. The observation of second somatic events at the locus of the genes supports a causal link between the APC mutations and the occurrence of PBMAH [37,38].

Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome: Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome is an imprinting disorder due to genetic or epigenetic alteration of the locus 11p15.5, including H19, IGF2 (Insulin-like growth factor 2), and CDKN1C (Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1C) genes. The phenotype includes overgrowth, neonatal hypoglycemia, congenital malformation, and predisposition to embryonic tumors [39]. If adrenocortical carcinoma is the most frequent adrenal complication of the syndrome, the development of CS due to bilateral nodular enlargement of the adrenal glands has been described in the infant. Histological analysis reveals adrenal cortex cytomegaly, a pathognomonic pattern of this syndrome [40].

3. Pathogenesis of Bilateral Adrenal Hyperplasia

3.1. Alteration of the PKA Pathway

3.1.1. Alteration of PRKAR1A in PPNAD

Genetic studies have identified two independent loci at chromosomes 17p22–24 and 2p16 in patients with CNC. Currently, no candidate gene has been found at chromosome 2 [41]. On chromosome 17, the R1α regulatory subunit of the protein kinase A (PRKAR1A, cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunit 1-alpha) was identified in 2000 as the causal gene [42,43].

PRKAR1A is a tumor-suppressor gene. The transmission of the disease is also autosomal dominant. The mutations are distributed over the 10 coding exons and their adjacent intronic sequences essential for splicing. They are mostly single-base substitutions and short deletions [6,44]. Large deletions of the gene have been more rarely described [45].

In 80% of cases, the mutations cause a premature stop codon and the degradation of the mutant mRNA by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, leading the haploinsufficiency [6,44,46]. In other cases, the mutant mRNA escapes the degradation process and leads to a shortened, modified, or longer protein according to the type of mutation and its location. Some of these mutant proteins underwent proteasomal degradation [47]. The mutant protein may lose its function and exerts a dominant negative effect on the wild-type protein. Therefore, a second somatic event is not necessary [46]. Of the CNC families, 80%, and 37% of sporadic cases carry a PRKAR1A mutation [6]. Three mutations are found in more than 3 families and can be considered as hotspots: c82C > T (exon 2), c.491_492delTG (exon 5), and c.709(−7–2)del6 (intron 7) [6]. The remaining mutations are mostly unique, identified in only single families. The overall penetrance of the manifestations is about 95% at the age of 50 years. Only two mutations (c.709(−7–2)del6 and c.1A > G) have incomplete penetrance [44].

Some genotype–phenotype correlations have been established [6]:

• Mutations leading to the creation of a mutant protein are associated with a higher number of CNC manifestations.
• Mutations on the exons are more often associated with acromegaly, cardiac myxomas, lentigines, and schwannomas.
• Mutations on the intronic splice sites are associated with a milder phenotype.
• The c.491–492delTG hotspot mutation is more often associated with cardiac myxomas, lentigines, and thyroid tumors.
• The c.709(−7–2)del6 hotspot mutation and the c.1A > G mutation are associated with isolated PPNADs.
• Patients without the PRKAR1A mutation have fewer tumors that appear later in life.

Several mouse models have been developed to study the consequence of PRKAR1A inactivation. The knockout of Prkar1a is lethal at the embryonic stage [48]. Heterozygous mice survive and develop thyroid tumors, schwannomas, and bone lesions [49]. Inactivation of both alleles of the gene after embryonic development leads to follicular adenomas or thyroid hyperplasia, adrenal hyperplasia, lymphomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, and other mesenchymal tumors [50]. Female mice with specific inactivation of Prkar1a in the adrenal cortex develop CS and adrenal hyperplasia and zonation defects [51]. The adrenal hyperplasia is characterized by a zonation defect with regression of the adult cortex and expansion of subcapsular/capsular progenitors that differentiate into steroidogenic cells due to the activation of the PKA pathway. Androgens inhibit PKA signaling and protect males from the development of adrenal dysplasia and CS [52].

Crosstalk between the PKA pathway and other signaling pathways involved in apoptosis and proliferation contributes to tumorigenesis observed with PRKAR1A deficiency [2]. PRKAR1A inactivation leads to the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the mTOR pathway, which impairs cell cycle and cell migration [2]. Finally, pigmentation of adrenal nodules is due to the impairment of autophagy, leading to the accumulation of lipofuscin at the nodules [53].

3.1.2. Alteration of Other Genes Involved in the PKA Pathway

PRKACA: In a cohort of 35 patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, germline amplification (duplication or triplication) of PRKACA has been described in 5 patients, including 3 patients with PPNAD and 2 patients with PBMAH, a mother and her son [54,55]. This amplification leads to the overexpression of the catalytic subunits, resulting in an increased PKA activity [54]. This locus’ duplication has also been reported in three patients presenting with PBMAH, including one adult, a mother, and her son [54,55]. Interestingly, a 2-year-old child with PPNAD had a history of neonatal hypoglycemia and macroglossia [55].

MC2R: Mutations in the ACTH receptor (MC2R) have been described in two sporadic cases of PBMAH [56,57]. No other study has identified mutations in this gene, which makes it difficult to conclude that there is a causal link between these mutations and the occurrence of the disease.

Phosphodiesterases: The presence of variants of the PDE11A (Phosphodiesterase 11A) gene appears to confer a genetic predisposition to PBMAH. In a series of 46 patients, the frequency of PDE11A variants was higher than in the control population [58]. This observation was later confirmed in an independent cohort [59]. In vitro analysis of the two most frequent variants showed an increase in cAMP levels and PKA activity [59].

In few children with iMAD, mutations in the PDE11A [60] and the PDE8B (Phosphodiesterase 8A) genes [61] are responsible for the disease. In addition, in patients with CNC, PDE11A variants may confer a predisposition to developing LCCST and PPNAD, particularly in men [62].

GNAS: In children, the most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome of adrenal origin is the McCune Albright syndrome (MAS), related to post-zygotic mutations in the GNAS gene, encoding the Gαs subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein [63]. The disease is characterized by fibrous dysplasia of the bones, the presence of café au lait spots, and endocrine activation, the most common leading to precocious puberty. CS due to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia may occur within the first year of life, revealing the syndrome. Histological analysis reveals a bi-morphic pattern with diffuse and nodular hyperplasia, cortical atrophy, and the persistence of the fetal cortex [64]. In these situations, CS is often the first manifestation of the syndrome. It typically occurs within the first year of life and may resolve spontaneously. Interestingly, somatic mutations of GNAS have also been described in the nodules of PBMAH [65].

3.1.3. Aberrant Expression of G-Coupled Protein Receptor in PBMAH

Abnormal cortisol secretion due to the activation of G-coupled protein receptors other than MC2R was one of the first pathogenic mechanisms demonstrated in PBMAH. In 1992, a food-dependent CS [66,67] due to an abnormal expression of the gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptor was described. Interestingly, patients with GIP response usually have a hypo-cortisolism in fasting, especially at 8 am, contrasting with the CS [66,67]. Since then, several publications have reported an abnormal cortisol response to various stimuli, suggesting an abnormal expression of different receptors [68], including:

• Eutopic receptors (normally expressed in adrenocortical cells), such as the vasopressin V1 receptor, the luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin (LH/HCG) receptor, the serotonin 5-HT4 receptor, and the leptin receptor.
• Ectopic receptors (absent in normal adrenocortical cells), such as the GIP receptor, the vasopressin V2 and V3 receptors, the serotonin 5-HT7 receptor, the glucagon receptor, the beta-adrenergic receptor, and the angiotensin II AT1-receptor.

The presence of these receptors can be clinically assessed by a combination of biological tests [69] (

Table 3. Aberrant expression of G-coupled protein receptor in PBMAH, and their screening protocols. Adapted from [69,70,71]. After stimulation, a change in plasma cortisol > 25% from baseline was defined as a response (between 25% and 49%: partial response, >50% or greater: positive response).

Receptor	Ligand	Diagnostic Tests
Ectopic receptors
GIP receptor	GIP	Standard mixed meal, IV GIP infusion
V2R/V3 receptor	AVP/Anti-diuretic hormone	Supine-to-upright posture test, AVP/IM/SC desmopressin infusion (terlipressin)
β-adrenergic receptor	β-epinephrine	Insulin hypoglycemia IV isoproterenol infusion
AT1 receptor	Angiotensin 2	Supine-to-upright posture test, IV angiotensin 2 infusion
5-HT7 receptor	Serotonin	Metoclopramide administration
Glucagon receptor	Glucagon	IV glucagon infusion
Eutopic receptors
V1R receptor	AVP/Anti-diuretic hormone	Supine-to-upright posture test IM desmopressin infusion (terlipressin)
5-HT4 receptor	Serotonin	Metoclopramide administration
LH/HCG receptor	LH/HCG	IV GnRH infusion IM LH or HCG infusion
PRL receptor	Prolactin	Chlorpromazine administration IV TRH infusion

AVP: Arginine Vasopressin, AT1 receptor: Angiotensin 2 Type 1 receptor, GnRH: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone, PRL: Prolactin, TRH: Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone.

). In a series of 32 patients, 87% of them presented with at least one abnormal response. The most frequent response was to posture (67%), metoclopramide (56%), and glucagon (47%). Food-response concerned only 12% of patients [70]. Besides the GIP and the LH/HCG receptors’ abnormal expression, which has been shown to induce CS during pregnancy or after menopause, the presence of these receptors does not affect the presentation of the disease [71]. In a patient presenting with bilateral adrenal incidentaloma, an abnormal response may argue for the diagnosis of PBMAH, but such abnormal responses can also be observed in other adrenal tumors [68,72].

Abnormal expression or overexpression of these receptors has been confirmed by quantitative PCR [68] or transcriptomic analysis [73,74]. In most cases, the abnormal expression leads to the activation of the PKA pathway. In primary adrenocortical cells from patients presenting with an abnormal cortisol response, an increase of cortisol production after stimulation by the corresponding ligand is observed [66,68,75,76,77,78]. In addition, transplantations of bovine adrenocortical cells expressing the GIP or the LH/HCG receptors beneath the kidney capsule of adrenalectomized immunodeficient mice led to hyperplasia of the graft hyperplasia and CS [79,80].

The mechanism leading to this aberrant expression, which is likely to be an early event in PBMAH [74,81], is unknown for most receptors [68]. At the germline level, no genetic alteration of these receptors has been described. An Armc5+/− mice study suggests that ARMC5 inactivation may be responsible for the abnormal expression of the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor and the AVP-R1A receptor [82]. At the somatic level, duplication of the locus, including the GIP receptor, has been shown in food-dependent cortisol-secreting adenomas and one patient with food-dependent PBMAH. In two adenomas, the duplicated region was rearranged with other chromosome regions including glucocorticoids response elements, thus driving the abnormal expression of the translocated GIPR [83]. In transcriptomic analysis, food-dependent Cushing PBMAH cluster together, suggesting common molecular alterations [84].

3.2. Mutation of ARMC5 in PBMAH

3.2.1. Genetic Mutations of ARMC5

In 2013, mutations in the ARMC5 gene (Armadillo repeat containing 5) had been identified by an integrated genomics approach as responsible for PBMAH [85]. LOH at the short arm of chromosome 16 was first identified by a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array as a frequent event in adrenal tumor tissues. Whole-genome sequencing and Sanger sequencing of paired leukocytes–somatic DNA subsequently allowed the identification of ARMC5, located at the chromosome 16p, as responsible for PBMAH in a series of 33 patients [85]. Several series of sporadic cases from different continents have since confirmed that ARMC5 mutations account for 25% of the PBMAH, except in Japan, where the prevalence may be higher [23,86,87,88,89].

ARMC5 mutation leads to more severe disease with higher hypercortisolism, larger adrenal hyperplasia, and a higher number of nodules [23]. Patients present more frequently with hypertension [23], most likely because of the more severe hypercortisolism, but ARMC5 variants have also been associated in African Americans with low renin hypertension, higher fasting glucose, and HbA1c [90,91]. In addition, co-secretion of cortisol and aldosterone has been reported in one patient [90]. Due to the severity of the disease, patients carrying ARMC5 mutations undergo surgery more often [23], explaining the higher prevalence of ARMC5 mutations in series including only operated patients. Interestingly, no food response has been observed in ARMC5-mutated patients, while a response to vasopressin or orthostatism can be observed [23,92,93].

ARMC5 mutations are responsible for nearly 80% of the familial forms [88,89,92,93,94]. Familial studies suggest that the penetrance of the disease is high but not complete [88,92]. In addition, the phenotype is variable and limited in some relatives to moderate adrenal CT scan alteration or subtle alteration of the pituitary-adrenal axis, even at an advanced age [88,94].

Meningiomas in ARMC5-mutated patients have been described [88,93,94,95,96]. The observation in the meningeal tumor of a LOH of the locus or a mutation on the second allele supports that ARMC5 mutations are responsible for meningioma [94,95].

ARMC5 inactivation followed the two-hits models observed for tumor-suppressor genes. The described mutations are distributed along the coding sequences. A multitude of mutations have been described since 2013, suggesting that most of them are unique for one patient and his family. There are no true hotspots, even though some mutations have been found by several teams [97]. Deletions of the gene have been more rarely reported [23,98].

3.2.2. Function of ARMC5

The function of ARMC5 was unknown when it was characterized as a causal gene of PBMAH in 2013. The ARMC5 protein is part of the Armadillo repeat containing gene family. Its structure contains two highly conserved domains involved in protein–protein interaction: the armadillo repeat domain and a broad complex Tramtrack bric-a-brac/Pox virus and zinc finger (BTB/POZ) domain. The protein is ubiquitously expressed [99]. The first functional studies of the ARMC5 mutant protein suggested that ARMC5 is involved in apoptosis. ARMC5 mutant overexpression in human adrenocortical cell lines leads to the loss of the apoptosis normally observed with the wild-type protein [23,85,100].

Inactivation of ARMC5 in vitro decreases the expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis and cortisol production [85,100]. Interestingly, transcriptome analysis has previously shown a reduced expression of steroidogenic enzymes [101], while a decrease of cortisol production has been demonstrated in primary cultures of PBMAH cells [73]. Therefore, it is suggested that the CS will appear when the adrenal mass will be big enough to balance the decreased steroidogenesis observed at the cellular scale [97]. Recent data consistently suggest that adrenal gland size correlates with 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in patients carrying pathogenic variants of ARMC5 [102].

Knockout of Armc5 in mice has a high lethality rate at the embryonic stage [82,103]. Armc5 heterozygote mice (Armc5+/−) develop hypocorticosteronemia at 12 months of age, supporting in vitro data showing that ARMC5 deficiency decreases steroidogenesis. Interestingly, a decrease in the expression of Prkaca was observed in these mice [99]. Similarly, a decreased expression of PRKACA and a decreased PKA activity have been previously described in the largest nodules of PBMAH [104]. However, this hypocorticosteronemia is transient in the Armc5+/− mice, and one third of the mice finally develop hypercorticosteronemia at 18 months of age. Armc5+/− mice do not develop macronodules but do develop features of cortex damage [99], while adrenal hyperplasia has been observed in Armc5−/− mice [103].

ARMC5 is also involved in cell cycle regulation. ARMC5 interacts with Cullin 3 via its BTB/POZ domain, leading to the proteasomal degradation of ARMC5. Interestingly, ARMC5 overexpression alters the G1-S progression, and Cullin 3 blocks this effect. Mutations in the BTB domain of ARMC5 affect its degradation and its action on the cell cycle [105]. Finally, the involvement of ARMC5 in T-cell function has also been suggested by another knockout mice model study [103].

3.3. Paracrine and Autocrine Factors in PBMAH

Paracrine and autocrine regulation of adrenal glands by peptides or neurotransmitters secreted by chromatin cells, nerve endings, or immune cells has been previously demonstrated [106,107,108].

Chromaffin cells in the medulla produce ACTH locally [109]. In PBMAH, some specific clusters of cortical cells are also able to produce ACTH. These cells express the proopiomelanocortin and the proconvertase 1. Their immunohistochemical profile suggests that they are steroidogenic cells with a gonadal differentiation [110]. Veinous adrenal catheterism in two patients presenting with PBMAH demonstrated the ACTH production by the adrenals. Interestingly, the ACTH immunostaining was correlated with the cortisol level in a series of patients [110]. Thus, the appearance of this cluster of cells is likely to contribute to the onset of CS in patients. In addition, this observation explains why the ACTH level is often not suppressed in patients with PBMAH despite hypercortisolism. After this publication, the term ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia previously used has been replaced by PBMAH [111]. The exact origin of these cells and the role of ARMC5 in their appearance must be elucidated.

In addition to ACTH, local production of serotonin by the perivascular mastocyte cells located in the subcapsular area of the adrenal cortex is observed. This local serotonin stimulates the production of aldosterone [108,112]. In PBMAH, the characterization of clusters of cells producing serotonin in the center of the nodules, together with the demonstration of aberrant expression of 5-HT4 and 5-HT7 receptors, suggest an abnormal 5-HT paracrine pathway contributing to cortisol hypersecretion [75,108]. The presence of cells expressing the chromogranin A [110] or AVP [75] in PBMAH tissues also suggests a local stimulation of illegitimate β or α2-adrenergic and AVP receptors [108].

4. Treatment

4.1. Decision for Treatment in Bilateral Adrenal Hyperplasia

In patients with overt CS, the indication to treat to normalize the cortisol level is consensual [113]. However, in patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, bilateral adrenalectomy induces definitive adrenal insufficiency that requires lifelong hormonal replacement and, therefore, exposes patients to the life-threatening adrenal crisis.

Definitive adrenal insufficiency also exposes patients to increased morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases and infections [114,115,116]. Since the CS is often subclinical in bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, the benefit/risk balance is also controversial. In addition, the benefit of surgical treatment of adrenal incidentaloma with subclinical CS compared to the medical control of the cardiovascular risk factors has not been clearly demonstrated yet [117]. A meta-analysis including 26 studies showed that patients with subclinical CS undergoing adrenalectomy improved their cardiovascular risk factors, especially hypertension and diabetes compared to conservative management [118]. However, most of these previous studies are retrospective and used different definitions of subclinical CS. Therefore, prospective studies are still needed to confirm the benefits of surgical treatment of subclinical CS.

Finally, it is unclear if the results of studies on adrenal incidentaloma apply to patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Particularly, the onset of PPNAD is younger than the age of diagnosis of adrenal incidentaloma, and the balance between the long-term consequences of definitive adrenal insufficiency versus long-term consequences of subclinical CS must be determined.

Therefore, unilateral adrenalectomy appears as an interesting option to treat patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (Figure 2).

4.2. Surgical Treatment

4.2.1. Surgical Treatment of PPNAD

Bilateral adrenalectomy used to be considered as the treatment of choice for patients with overt CS and adrenal hyperplasia [113]. In patients with PPNAD, bilateral adrenalectomy is usually preferred in adult patients. It leads to the complete remission of the CS in almost every case. Incomplete resection with residual tissue within the operative fields is the cause of the persistence of the disease [119].

Nevertheless, unilateral adrenalectomy has been proposed in patients with PPNAD to avoid definitive adrenal insufficiency. In a recent review of all published cases or series, the initial success rate was evaluated at 66% (32 of the 48 reported patients) [120]. Most of the patients had overt CS. The selection of the side of the adrenalectomy was based on the eventual presence of a macronodule or an asymmetry of the uptake on ¹³¹I- norcholesterol scintigraphy. Only 7 of 32 patients considered in initial remission needed contralateral adrenalectomy because of recurrence of the CS. Among the 25 patients that did not need completion of the surgery, follow-up was unavailable for 9 patients [121,122,123], and 1 patient refused the surgery [124]. One patient presented with adrenocortical carcinoma, and PPNAD was discovered on anatomopathological examination. She would later die from her carcinoma 6 months after surgery [14]. Follow-up was limited to less than one year in two cases [125,126]. Finally, only 12 patients (48% of the patients in initial remission) did not present recurrence of CS after a follow-up between 16 to 113 months [127,128].

Taken together, these results hence suggest that unilateral adrenalectomy could be an interesting option in selected patients presenting with PPNAD, especially in younger patients. However, interpretations of these data should be made with caution. In addition to the lack of biological and clinical data in several reports, one major limitation is the different criteria used to define remission. In some cases, alteration of the adrenal-pituitary axis tests, especially an abnormal circadian rhythm, was still observed [120]. Interestingly, only a few patients seem to present with corticotroph deficiency after unilateral adrenalectomy [129]. Finally, the success rate of unilateral adrenalectomy may be overestimated by the preferential publication of successful case reports. In the largest series, including 17 patients, only 35% of patients presented with initial remission.

Urinary free cortisol (UFC) level increases progressively with the evolution of adrenal hyperplasia. Unilateral adrenalectomy leads to a reduction of the adrenal mass and a reduction of the UFC at levels equivalent to those 10 to 20 years earlier.

4.2.2. Surgical Treatment of PBMAH

Regarding the late onset of the disease and the higher frequency of subclinical CS compared to PPNAD, unilateral adrenalectomy instead of bilateral adrenalectomy appears particularly interesting in patients with PBMAH. Unilateral adrenalectomy has also been proposed in PBMAH patients since the late 1990s. Currently, 23 case reports and small series totaling 117 patients have been reported [120]. Initial remission was observed in 93% of the patients. Remission of the hypercortisolism varies from several months to up to 15 years for the most extended follow-up available. Only 15% of the reported patients presented with recurrence. Contralateral adrenalectomy was performed in most of them within a median time of 72 months [120]. These retrospective studies are exposed to the same bias as those discussed in the literature on PPNAD, but, undeniably, unilateral adrenalectomy seems to be efficient in most patients presenting with PBMAH.

UFC normalizes in almost every patient. A division of the UFC by nearly 8 has been described in patients one month after the unilateral adrenalectomy. In contrast, unilateral adrenalectomy leads to the division by a bit more than 2 of the adrenals. This observation may be explained in patients with high cortisol levels by the saturation of the corticosteroid-binding globulin that leads to the rapid increase of the ratio of free/bound cortisol. The division by 2 of the cortisol production will also lead to a bigger division of the UFC level [130]. Adrenal insufficiency due to corticotroph deficiency is observed in about one-third of patients. This deficiency may persist for several years in some patients [120]. Interestingly, after unilateral adrenalectomy, the Synacthen test may provide a false positive response due to the remaining hyperplastic tissue being overactivated by ACTH via MC2R [130].

Removal of the largest adrenal is usually performed. Nordiodocholesterol scintigraphy shows in all cases a maximum uptake in the largest glands [130]. Few studies have evaluated the interest in adrenal venous sampling [131,132]. However, this test is invasive and requires a specialized center with a trained radiologist.

In most studies, improvement of cortisol-related comorbidities, including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, is reported in patients treated by unilateral adrenalectomy [130,133]. In contrast, a recent retrospective study suggested that unilateral adrenalectomy may lead to insufficient biochemical remission compared to bilateral adrenalectomy [133]. Indeed, post-dexamethasone cortisol or midnight salivary cortisol may remain increased in some patients.

More recently, adrenal-sparing surgery (removal of one adrenal and up to two-thirds of the other one) as performed in patients with some genetic predisposition to pheochromocytoma has been proposed [134]. The interest of this surgery compared to unilateral adrenalectomy needs to be evaluated.

4.3. Medical Treatment

All patients presenting with adrenal hyperplasia and subclinical CS must have a regular screening, symptomatic treatment of comorbidities, and strict control of cardiovascular risk factors.

The presence of illegitimate receptors may offer the possibility to propose a specific medical therapy. Beta-blockers, especially propranolol, have been proposed in case of cortisol response to posture. Long-term control of hypercortisolism with such therapy has been described, but the side effects of the treatment are limiting factors [135,136,137]. Somatostatin analog is initially efficient in some cases of food-dependent CS, but escape is most often observed [135,138,139]. A treatment by leuprorelin, a GnRH agonist, has shown a long-term response in the case of PBMAH presenting with a LH/HCG response [139]. The presence of several different responses in one patient is one factor that limits the total response to the monotherapy.

Anti-cortisolic treatment can be temporarily used for patients presenting with overt CS waiting for surgery. Long-term treatment by steroidogenesis inhibitors, including ketoconazole, metyrapone, or mitotane, has been proposed in both PBMAH [140,141] and PPNAD [142] patients presenting with overt CS. Treatment with metyrapone administered at the end of the afternoon and at bedtime has been proposed in patients with adrenal incidentalomas and subclinical CS to try to restore the normal circadian rhythm [143]. The osilodrostat, a new powerful 11β-hydroxylase inhibitor, may be an interesting alternative for long-term treatment of PBMAH and PPNAD. Studies are needed to confirm the long-term efficacity and the good tolerance in these indications.

5. Conclusions

Significant advances in the understanding of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia pathogenesis have been made in the last three decades. The PKA pathway so far appears to be the main pathway dysregulated in bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, especially PPNAD. In agreement with its effect on steroidogenesis and cellular differentiation, its alterations lead to CS, and the slowly growing hyperplasia and nodularity. In the last decade, the discovery of ARMC5 mutations brought new insight into the pathogenesis of PBMAH. The role of ARMC5 may take another decade to be fully understood since its role appears to be complex, involving cell cycle, proteasomal degradation, and crosstalk with other pathways, such as the PKA pathway. In the coming years, whole-genome sequencing will likely bring new candidates to explain the nearly 30% and 75% unresolved cases of micronodular adrenal hyperplasia and PBMAH, respectively. Progress in understanding other mechanisms such as paracrine regulation in adrenal glands will also help to understand the evolution of this group of diseases.

In all patients presenting bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, genetic screening should be offered, including at least the analysis of PRK1R1A in patients with PPNAD and the analysis of ARMC5 in patients with PBMAH. Complementary analysis of phosphodiesterases genes and PRKACA should be discussed. Next-generation sequencing allows screening these genes in a unique array, including the research of amplification of PRKACA. Genetic counseling must be performed in first-degree relatives of PRKAR1A mutation carriers and should be discussed in first-degree relatives of ARMC5 mutation carriers.

Bilateral adrenalectomy is an effective treatment, but clinicians must weigh the arising complications of adrenal insufficiency against the complications of hypercortisolism, especially in patients with subclinical CS. Unilateral adrenalectomy appears to be a compelling alternative in patients presenting with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, particularly those with PBMAH. Prospective studies are needed to compare medical therapy and adrenalectomy in patients presenting subclinical CS. Both short- and long-term evaluations of the complications of hypercortisolism need to be carried out in these studies.