Involvement of insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in pro-B-cell development

OBJECTIVE: Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding proteins (IGFBPs) are a family of proteins thought to modulate IGF function. By employing an in vitro culture system of human hematopoietic stem cells cocultured with murine bone marrow stromal cells, we examined the effects of IGF-I and IGFBPs on early B-cell development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human CD34(+) bone marrow cells were cocultured with murine stromal MS-5 cells for 4 weeks, and pro-B-cell number was analyzed by flow cytometry. After administration of reagents that are supposed to modulate IGF-I or IGFBP function to the culture, the effect on pro-B-cell development was examined. RESULTS: After cultivation for 4 weeks, effective induction of pro-B-cell proliferation was observed. Experiments using several distinct factors, all of which neutralize IGF-I function, revealed that impairment of IGF-I function results in a significant reduction in pro-B-cell development from CD34(+) cells. In addition, when the effect of recombinant proteins of IGFBPs and antibodies against IGFBPs were tested, IGFBP-3 was found to inhibit pro-B-cell development, while IGFBP-6 was required for pro-B-cell development. CONCLUSIONS: IGF-I is essential for development of bone marrow CD34(+) cells into pro-B cells. Moreover, IGFBPs are likely involved in regulation of pro-B-cell development.     

Serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in patients with chronic hepatitis

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor-I is a liver-derived humoral factor, which has important anabolic and metabolic actions and is predominantly bound by insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3. Low serum concentrations of both insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 have been reported in patients with chronic liver disease, especially cirrhosis, but their conditions in chronic hepatitis are uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic hepatitis on serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 and their association with hepatic inflammation activity and fibrosis. METHODS: Serum insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 were measured by RIA (ng/ml) in 17 patients with mild to severe chronic viral hepatitis (12 chronic hepatitis C, 5 chronic hepatitis B) and 16 healthy subjects. The hepatic inflammation activity and the severity of fibrosis were evaluated using Desmet classification. RESULTS: Both insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levels did not correlate with inflammation activity, fibrosis or transaminase levels. In the chronic hepatitis group, insulin-like growth factor-I levels were significantly higher than the control group (mean, 263.8 +/- 27.33 versus 127.14 +/- 10.83 ng/ml, P < 0.001, respectively), whereas insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levels were significantly lower when compared with the controls (1643.47 +/- 60.68 versus 2728.87 +/- 284.61 ng/ml, P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the concomitant states of serum insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levels in patients with chronic hepatitis may be different from cirrhotic patients and high serum IGF-I levels may be a specific finding of the stage of chronic hepatitis before developing cirrhosis.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor modulates insulin-like growth factor-I, its receptor, and its binding proteins in hypothalamic cell cultures.

Interactions between different growth factors may be important in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation in the nervous system. For instance, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) regulates neuroblast division through a mechanism probably involving insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). In this regard, we previously found that simultaneous addition of both factors produces an additive effect on survival and differentiation of hypothalamic neuronal and glial cells in culture. To further analyze these interactions, we explored the influence of bFGF on IGF-I, its membrane receptor, and its binding proteins in hypothalamic cells. We also tested the effects of IGF-I on its own receptor and binding proteins (IGFBPs) to determine the specificity of bFGF's actions. Treatment of neuronal and glial cultures with bFGF produced an increase in IGF-I receptors, without changing their affinity, together with an increase in the apparent M(r) of the receptor. On the other hand, IGF-I elicited a down-regulation of its own receptor in both neurons and glia, without modifying its affinity. Treatment with bFGF also produced a marked differential effect on the IGFBPs secreted by the cells. While IGFBP levels in neuronal cultures were greatly increased by bFGF, their production by glial cells was inhibited. On the other hand, IGF-I increased the amount of IGFBPs in both types of cells. Finally, addition of bFGF to the cultures elicited a dose-dependent increase in the release of IGF-I to the medium, but only a moderate increase in cellular IGF-I content, in both neurons and glia. We conclude that bFGF strongly modulates IGF-I, its receptors, and its binding proteins in the two major cell types of the hypothalamus. These findings reinforce the possibility that IGF-I and/or its receptors and binding proteins are involved in the trophic effects of bFGF on developing brain cells.     

Characterization of urinary insulin-like growth factor binding proteins.

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are important mitogens that are present in many body fluids, where they are commonly bound with high affinity to IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). We investigated human urine for the presence of IGFBPs. Western ligand blots of concentrated, dialyzed normal urine disclosed the presence of two major bands with IGF binding activity, one at 40-44 kilodaltons and another at 31 kDa. Deglycosylation with endoglycosidase F, and immunoprecipitation with alpha HEC1 antibody revealed these proteins to be hIGFBP-3 and hIGFBP-2, respectively. Comparison of IGFBPs in normal serum and urine showed a reversal of the hIGFBP-2/hIGFBP-3 ratio in urine compared to serum, with hIGFBP-2 being the predominant binding protein in normal urine. The 150 kDa form of hIGFBP-3 was absent in normal urine. In patients with renal disease, the urinary IGFBP (U-IGFBP) pattern was altered. Patients with glomerular disease and proteinuria had elevated U-hIGFBP-3, whereas patients with renal failure who displayed increased urinary beta-2-microglobulin had a dramatic increase in U-hIGFBP-1, in the face of normal serum IGFBP profiles. In conclusion, we have documented the presence of IGFBPs in the urine of normal and diseased individuals. The presence of IGFBPs in urine may complicate the assessment of IGF measurements in urine. U-IGFBPs may be potential clinical markers in renal diseases. Additional studies are required before the origin of urinary IGFBPs in both normal and pathological conditions will be definitively established.     

Relations between sex hormones, sex hormone binding globulin, insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-I in post-menopausal breast cancer patients

OBJECTIVE Oestrogens, androgens and anti-endocrine drugs such as tamoxifen and aminoglutethimide influence plasma Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). IGF-I, in turn, has been found to stimulate the peripheral aromatase in vitro. The aim of this study was to examine relations between sex hormones, IGF-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) In post-menopausal women with breast cancer. DESIGN To measure plasma sex steroids, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), IGF-I, IGFBP-1, Insulin and urinary oestrogen metabolites In post-menopausal women with breast cancer not receiving any endocrine therapy. PATIENTS Thirty-two patients had fasting blood samples obtained between 0800 and 1000h. A sub-group of 10 patients had 24-hour urine oestrogen metabolites determined. MEASUREMENTS Plasma steroids and proteins were measured by radioImmunoassays. Urinary oestrogens were measured by GC-MS. RESULTS SHBG correlated negatively with plasma androstenedione (P < 0·001), insulin (P < 0·001), IGF-I, height and plasma oestrone sulphate (P < 0·025 for all), but positively with plasma IGFBP-1 (P < 0·025). IGFBP-1 correlated negatively with IGF-I (P < 0·001) and the testosterone/SHBG ratio (P < 0·05). Neither IGF-I nor IGFBP-1 correlated with any of the plasma or urinary sex hormones or with the oestrone/androstenedione and oestradiol/testosterone ratios. Multivariate analysis revealed plasma SHBG to correlate positively with IGFBP-1 (P= 0·029) and negatively with Insulin (P= 0·031). Plasma IGFBP-1 correlated negatively with IGF-I (P < 0·0001) but not with insulin. CONCLUSION Our results do not suggest any influence of plasma sex steroids in physiological concentrations on IGF-I or IGFBP-1 in post-menopausal breast cancer patients, nor do they indicate IGF-I at physiological concentrations Influences the ratios between plasma oestrogens and their androgen precursors.     

Secretion of insulin-like growth factor-I and binding proteins by rat liver fat-storing cells: regulatory role of platelet-derived growth factor.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) is synthesized in multiple organs, including the liver, and may play a role in tissue growth and repair. We report that liver fat-storing cells (FSC) secrete IGF-I immunoreactivity in the culture medium. Secretion of IGF-I immunoreactivity was blocked in the presence of cycloheximide, suggesting de novo synthesis. Culture medium conditioned by FSC was concentrated and applied to a Sephadex G100 column equilibrated in a denaturing buffer. Two major species with apparent mol wts of 7.5 and greater than 25 k were identified by IGF-I RIA. Reverse phase HPLC of the 7.5 kilodalton species (the size of IGF-I) showed that it eluted in a single peak. To determine whether the higher mol wt species possessed IGF-I binding activity, appropriate fractions were desalted, incubated with [125I]IGF-I for 2 h at 30 C and applied to a Sephadex G100 column equilibrated in a nondissociating buffer. The major peak of radioactivity was confined to a high mol wt region. Western blot ligand analysis revealed the presence of two insulin-like growth factor binding proteins of approximately 28 and 31 kilodaltons. Platelet-derived growth factor, a potent mitogen for FSC, resulted in a 230% increase in release of IGF-I immunoreactivity that could be accounted for by an increase in IGF-I binding activity. In addition IGF-I increased DNA synthesis in FSC and this effect was additive to that of platelet-derived growth factor. IGF-I treatment also resulted in an increase in cell number. IGF-I and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins secreted by FSC may play a role in the hepatic tissue response to injury via autocrine and/or paracrine mechanisms.     

Effects of luteinizing hormone, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor small binding protein 1 in the polycystic ovary syndrome.

This study explores the clinical and endocrine implications of hyperinsulinaemia in the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed on 34 lean and 19 obese women with PCOS and on 13 lean women with normal ovaries. Insulin measurements were compared with basal gonadotrophins, androgens, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1). Unselected lean women with PCOS were found to have fasting hyperinsulinaemia and the raised serum insulin concentrations were associated with menstrual disturbance and hyperandrogenaemia. In addition, serum insulin concentrations in lean women with PCOS correlated positively with serum IGF-I and negatively with serum IGFBP-1 concentrations. Ovarian stimulation by insulin appears to be independent of luteinizing hormone (LH) and is an important feature in 30% of lean women with PCOS.     

General aspects of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins

Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) belong to a family of at least six homologous proteins that bind insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and modulate many of their biological actions. IGFBPs are produced by a wide variety of tissues and their circulating levels are regulated by both hormonal and metabolic factors. The binding activity of some IGFBPs is affected by phosphorylation, proteolysis, or association with extracellular matric (ECM) and plasma membrane. The IGFBPs may exert either inhibitory or potentiating effects on IGF actions. Recent evidence indicate that some IGFBPs are capable of direct actions on cells independent of the IGFs.     

The role of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are fundamental cell regulators with an evolutionary conserved role synchronising tissue growth, development and function according to metabolic conditions. Although structurally very similar to insulin, the IGFs act in a very different way as cell regulators. Whereas insulin is stored in a specific gland and released when needed, the IGFs are stored outside of cells with soluble binding proteins. A very complex system of six IGF binding proteins, each of which exists in various modified states and interacts with other proteins, provides a sophisticated system for conferring specificity to provide a finely tuned system for local regulation at the tissue level.     

Heterogeneity of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in swine

Proteins in porcine amniotic fluid and sera (both fetal and adult) were separated electrophoretically in sodium dodecyl sulfate-containing polyacrylamide gels and transferred to nitrocellulose sheets. Western blots were analysed for proteins that would bind (a) radioiodinated insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and (b) antibodies to a rat insulin-like growth factor binding protein. Multiple insulin-like growth factor binding proteins were identified in sera. The binding proteins ranged in size from Mr 192,000 to 26,000. One immunologically cross-reactive protein (Mr 36,000) was detected. No binding proteins were detected routinely in amniotic fluids. Sera from adult swine were fractionated by preparative isoelectric focusing. Two binding proteins (Mr 192,000, 46,000) were located in acidic fractions which also contained IGF-I and IGF-II. Two binding proteins (Mr 36,000, 26,000) were located in neutral to basic fractions which contained primarily IGF-II. Immunoglobulin-sized material from adult sera fractionated over Sephadex G-200 contained two binding proteins (Mr 46,000, 42,000) whereas albumin-sized material contained one (Mr 36,000). Porcine insulin-like growth factor binding proteins are as heterogeneous as those from humans.     

Serum growth hormone-binding protein, insulin-like growth factor-I, and growth hormone in patients with liver cirrhosis.

We determined serum growth hormone-binding protein (GHBP), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and growth hormone (GH) levels in patients with cirrhosis and in age-matched control subjects, and investigated their relationships. Serum GHBP levels in cirrhotic patients (14.6% +/- 3.9%) (means +/- SD) were significantly lower than those in normal subjects (20.4% +/- 4.7%). GHBP levels had positive correlations with cholinesterase (r = .58, P less than .001) and Normotest (r = .66, P less than .001), both of which represent liver function in cirrhotic patients. Basal GH levels in cirrhotic patients (range, 0.35 to 13.0 micrograms/L; median, 3.9 micrograms/L) were significantly higher than those in normal subjects (0.015 to 6.0 micrograms/L; 0.19 microgram/L). GHBP levels in cirrhotic patients correlated positively with IGF-I levels (r = .39, P less than .01), and negatively with GH levels (r = -.33, P less than .01). These results may indicate that the serum GHBP level reflects the number of hepatic GH receptors, and that the high basal GH level observed in cirrhotic patients is, at least in part, attributable to decreased clearance of GH by these receptors.     

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP) and insulin-like growth factor type I receptor in children with various status of chronic renal failure

Chronic renal failure in childhood causes severe growth retardation. The aim of the study was to identify whether changes in the IGF system could account for the growth retardation observed in children with chronic renal failure. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) serum concentrations, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP) and/or IGF-I binding to erythrocyte type I receptor of IGF were analysed in 69 children (mean age 11.6 +/- 4.3 years) with chronic renal failure and growth retardation (mean height -2.6 +/- 1.8 SD). The study population was separated into three groups, according to their renal status, children on conservative treatment (CRF group: n = 30), on haemodialysis (ESRD group: n = 26) and those transplanted (RT group: n = 13). Nineteen of these children, some from each of the three groups, received recombinant growth hormone therapy (rhGH). Mean basal IGF-I serum concentrations were -0.7 +/- 1.2 SD in the CRF group, + 2.1 +/- 3 SD in the ESRD group and + 1.1 +/- 2 SD in the RT group. Under rhGH therapy, as height velocity improved, mean IGF-I concentrations increased up to + 3.1 +/- 0.6 SD in the CRF group, to + 6.9 +/- 2.8 SD in the ESRD group and to + 3.9 +/- 2 SD in the RT group. Basal IGFBP-3 levels, studied by Western Ligand Blot were low in the CRF group and high in the ESRD and normal in the RT groups, whereas IGFBP-2 and a 30-32 kDa IGFBP were always high in all cases. Western immunoblot analysis showed that this 30-32 kDa IGFBP was mostly composed of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-6 in all three groups, but IGFBP-6 was particularly abundant in the ESRD group. IGFBP-6 concentrations assessed by RIA were moderately increased in CRF children (392 +/- 177 ng/mL) and very high in children on ESRD (2094 +/- 1525 ng/mL) when compared to normal values (131 +/- 42 ng/mL). Binding studies of IGF type I receptor showed that there was no particular difference in IGF-I binding between renal failure patients and normal children. In poorly growing children, especially in ESRD children and to a lesser extent in RT children, high concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-1, 2, 3 and 6, suggest a resistance mainly by a sequestration mechanism. Moreover, in the CRF group, especially in the younger children, low levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 are evocative of an associated resistance at the GH receptor level.     

Serum levels of growth hormone-binding protein and insulin-like growth factor-I during puberty.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the effect of pubertal development on serum levels of growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) and IGF-I, and to study the relationship between GHBP levels and height standard deviation score (SDS), nutritional state and IGF-I levels. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: The investigation was performed on serum samples from 72 healthy adolescents of different pubertal stage. Results were compared to those obtained in 46 prepubertal children. MEASUREMENTS: Serum levels of GHBP were measured by HPLC gel filtration and IGF-I levels were measured by RIA after acid-ethanol extraction. RESULTS: No effect of pubertal stage on serum levels of GHBP was found. A positive relationship was found between serum levels of GHBP and height SDS (r = 0.38; P < 0.005) and weight expressed as percentage of median weight for height age (r = 0.46; P < 0.0005). Serum levels of IGF-I increased during puberty and were not correlated with height SDS or weight for height age. In pubertal subjects, no relationship existed between serum levels of GHBP and IGF-I. In prepubertal subjects, however, a significantly positive relationship between GHBP and IGF-I levels (r = 0.66; P < 0.0005) was found. CONCLUSIONS: Pubertal development does not seem to influence serum levels of GHBP. Height SDS and nutritional state are related to the concentration of GHBP. Before puberty, the level of GHBP is positively related to IGF-I levels; during puberty, however, the increase in serum IGF-I levels is not accompanied by changes in the amount of circulating GHBP.     

Cellular actions of the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins

In addition to their roles in IGF transport, the six IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) regulate cell activity in various ways. By sequestering IGFs away from the type I IGF receptor, they may inhibit mitogenesis, differentiation, survival, and other IGF-stimulated events. IGFBP proteolysis can reverse this inhibition or generate IGFBP fragments with novel bioactivity. Alternatively, IGFBP interaction with cell or matrix components may concentrate IGFs near their receptor, enhancing IGF activity. IGF receptor-independent IGFBP actions are also increasingly recognized. IGFBP-1 interacts with alpha(5)beta(1) integrin, influencing cell adhesion and migration. IGFBP-2, -3, -5, and -6 have heparin-binding domains and can bind glycosaminoglycans. IGFBP-3 and -5 have carboxyl-terminal basic motifs incorporating heparin-binding and additional basic residues that interact with the cell surface and matrix, the nuclear transporter importin-beta, and other proteins. Serine/threonine kinase receptors are proposed for IGFBP-3 and -5, but their signaling functions are poorly understood. Other cell surface IGFBP-interacting proteins are uncharacterized as functional receptors. However, IGFBP-3 binds and modulates the retinoid X receptor-alpha, interacts with TGFbeta signaling through Smad proteins, and influences other signaling pathways. These interactions can modulate cell cycle and apoptosis. Because IGFBPs regulate cell functions by diverse mechanisms, manipulation of IGFBP-regulated pathways is speculated to offer therapeutic opportunities in cancer and other diseases.     

Post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 and -4 by insulin-like growth factor-I in uterine myometrial cells.

Involution of the uterus induced by oestrogen depletion is associated with a decrease in uterine insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and an increase in IGF binding protein (IGFBP) gene expression. We examined the effects of IGF-I on primary uterine myometrial cell proliferation, and on IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 gene expression. IGF-I enhanced DNA synthesis in these cells. In conditioned media, IGF-I increased IGFBP-3 accumulation by release of cell associated IGFBP-3. A low dose of IGF-I increased IGFBP-4 accumulation, and a high dose caused IGFBP-4 to disappear. In cell-free conditioned media IGF-I protected IGFBP-3 and enhanced IGFBP-4 proteolysis. Co-incubation of [(125)I]-IGFBP-4 with cell-free conditioned media cleaved IGFBP-4 into 18 and 12 kDa fragments. Northern blot analysis indicated that IGF-I increased IGFBP-4 mRNA accumulation by stabilizing the mRNA while IGFBP-3 gene expression was slightly decreased. The results demonstrate that IGF-I regulates IGFBP-4 post-trancriptionally and post-translationally, whereas IGFBP-3 is only affected post-translationally. By enhancing IGFBP-4 proteolysis, increasing cell-associated IGFBP-3 and stabilizing IGFBP-3, IGF-I may initiate a mitogenic response.