# Generation of multilineage adrenal gland organoids using human pluripotent stem cells

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA · 2021 · $203,824

## Abstract

ABSTRACT/PROJECT SUMMARY
The adrenal glands (AG) are critical endocrine organs that control the body’s response to stressors, metabolic
challenges, blood pressure changes and immune system regulation. AG disease can be caused by many
ailments, including genetic faults, malignancies and toxins, and both hyper- and hypofunction of the AGs can be
lethal. The AG consists of a core called the medulla that is surrounded by a three-layered cortex, all wrapped in
a capsule. It is known that the AGs develop from progenitors from two independent germ layers, i.e.
ectoderm/neural crest cells giving rise to the AG medulla and mesoderm/intermediate mesoderm giving rise to
the AG cortex. The AG undergoes dynamic cellular homeostasis throughout life driven by adult stem cells located
in the capsule. Several open questions remain about the events leading to proper embryonic development of the
human AGs, about their transformation and dysfunction in human disorders and about normal adult human
homeostasis. Additionally, healthy human AG tissue might become crucial for transplantation approaches for the
future treatment of AG disorders. The lack of a human experimental model system that can mimic the complexity
of the human organ is causing a slow progression in answering such questions. 3D organoids, derived from
human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are ideal to address this gap, however no AG organoids have been
reported to date. Here, we propose the generation of complex, assembled AG organoids from both neural crest
and intermediate mesoderm progenitors. We will characterize the AG organoids in vitro and upon
xenotransplantation based on molecular and functional entities. We will employ the AG organoids to ask
questions about human embryonic development and assess their character on the single cell level. Our AG
organoids will provide a platform to investigate future questions about AG biology and development, AG disease
mechanisms, and ultimately provide the cellular material for cell therapy approaches for AG insufficiency.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10286157
- **Project number:** 1R21HD106118-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Nadja Zeltner
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $203,824
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-08-06 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10286157

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10286157, Generation of multilineage adrenal gland organoids using human pluripotent stem cells (1R21HD106118-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10286157. Licensed CC0.

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