Tandem Mass Spectrometry Imaging Reveals Distinct Accumulation Patterns of Steroid Structural Isomers in Human Adrenal Glands

Anal Chem. 2019 Jul 16;91(14):8918-8925. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00619. Epub 2019 Jun 26.

Abstract

Visualizing tissue distribution of steroid hormones is a promising application of MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). On-tissue chemical derivatization using Girard's T reagent has enhanced the ionization efficiency of steroids. However, discriminating between structural isomers with distinct bioactivities remains a challenge. Herein, we used ion trap MS/tandem MS (MS3) to distinguish a mineralcorticoid aldosterone (Aldo) and a glucocorticoid cortisol (F), from their structural isomers. Our method is also useful to detect hybrid steroids (18-hydroxycortisol [18-OHF] and 18-oxocortisol) with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio. The clinical applicability of the tandem MS method was evaluated by analyzing F, Aldo, and 18-OHF distributions in human adrenal glands. In such clinical specimens, small Aldo-producing cell clusters (APCCs) were identified and were first found to produce a high level of Aldo and not to contain F. Moreover, a part of APCCs produced 18-OHF, presumably converted from F by APCC-specific CYP11B2 activity. Catecholamine species were also visualized with another derivatization reagent (TAHS), and those profiling successfully discriminated pheochromocytoma species. These tandem MSI-methods, coupled with on-tissue chemical derivatization has proven to be useful for detecting low-abundance steroids, including Aldo and hybrid steroids and thus identifying steroid hormone-producing lesions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Glands / chemistry*
  • Aldosterone / analysis
  • Glucocorticoids / analysis
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / analogs & derivatives
  • Hydrocortisone / analysis
  • Isomerism
  • Mineralocorticoids / analysis
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Steroids / analysis*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Mineralocorticoids
  • Steroids
  • 18-oxocortisol
  • Aldosterone
  • 18-hydroxycortisol
  • Hydrocortisone