Figure 3

Regional and subcellular distribution of GR. (A) The number of immunostained cells in adenomatous tissue is reduced compared to normal human adrenal cortex. Similar results were obtained by using antibody that recognizes both a and β isoforms of GR (anti-GRα/β) or by anti-GRβ. (B) Total immunostaining intensity score is reduced in adenomatous tissue compared to control or peritumorous tissue, regardless of antibody used. The decrease in immunostaining score in peritumorous tissue was detected only when anti-GRα/β was applied, suggesting GRα underexpression. Nuclear (C) and cytoplasmic (D) scores follow similar pattern of total immunostaining intensity score; GRβ is predominantly located within nuclei of all examined tissues. *p < 0.001 versus normal or adjacent tissue and normal or adenomatous tissue.