Week Five: A Moment of Anticipation: Sampling a New Realm of Adrenal Tissues

Greetings, dear readers! Join me as I recount the thrilling events of my fifth week, where the long-awaited moment arrived – the collection of our samples. Before diving into the details, let me provide you with some background.

In the realm of Endogenous Cushing’s disease (hypercortisolism) , approximately 80% of cases of are categorized as ACTH independent. In these cases, the key characteristic is normal ACTH levels, but due to adrenal tumors, there is excessive production of cortisol. These adrenal tissues from patients with ACTH independent Cushing’s disease are referred to as CPAs, a subject I have touched upon in my previous blogs. My advisor has been extensively studying CPAs for quite some time now.

Now, onto the exciting part – the recently received samples. These samples consist of adrenal tissues from patients with ACTH dependent Cushing’s disease, which make up the remaining 20% of cases. This is the first time our lab will be examining these specific types of adrenal tissues. The anticipation is palpable as we embark on this uncharted territory, unaware of what we will discover regarding cell morphology, protein expression, and the arrangement or overlap of the cortex zones. This is the crux of my project – performing Immunohistochemistry (IHC) on these novel samples and conducting a comparative analysis to uncover the differences between these tissues and the ACTH independent Cushing’s adrenal tissue.

From the moment the samples arrived, I felt a profound sense of satisfaction and attachment. Having been involved in their collection and cataloging, a deep connection was established with these precious specimens. It was a reminder of the responsibility I held in unraveling their secrets and contributing to scientific knowledge.

The following day marked a significant step forward as I embarked on processing these samples. Performing a total of 24 H&E slides, I meticulously carried out the staining procedure. Each slide represented a piece of the puzzle, holding valuable information within its intricate patterns. It was an opportunity to observe the cell morphology and gain initial insights into the characteristics of these adrenal tissues.

Looking ahead, the upcoming weeks would revolve around staining these samples with specific markers, such as HSD3B2, CYP11B1, CYP17A1, and CYB5A, through the IHC technique. This process would prepare the samples for detailed analysis, unraveling the proteins expressed within them and shedding light on the unique features they possess. I eagerly anticipated the discoveries that awaited me as I delved deeper into the analysis phase.

Friday proved to be an intensive day as I devoted myself to completing IHC on some CPAs assigned by my advisor. Despite the fatigue that settled in, I persevered until 8:30pm, determined to accomplish the task at hand. Once my work was done, I decided to indulge in a well-deserved treat. Visiting an Indian restaurant, I savored my favorite dish, Paneer Chili, providing a momentary respite and a taste of comfort amidst the busy week.

As the week drew to a close, a wave of excitement swept over me. The anticipation of a long weekend ahead, with a day off on Monday followed by the 4th of July, filled me with joy. It would be a time to recharge, reflect, and appreciate the milestones achieved thus far.

Wishing you all a restful and celebratory weekend!

Until next time,

Kavya

Cataloging the ACTH Dependent Samples (24 samples x15 each slide).

ACTH Dependent Cushing’s Samples after H&E.

My favorite Paneer Chili (its Indo-Chinese) !!