Diurnal rhythm of growth hormone-independent binding protein for insulin-like growth factors in human plasma

An antibody raised against the major insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein in amniotic fluid (BP-28) was used to measure the levels of a cross-reacting protein in human plasma by RIA. Plasma BP-28 immunoreactivity had an apparent mol wt of 35,000 by high performance permeation chromatography. Sampled hourly for 12- or 24-h periods in 15 children with a wide range of GH secretory activity, plasma BP-28 levels showed a marked diurnal cycle, rising 10- to 20-fold between 2400 and 0600 h to a peak of 50-500 micrograms/L, then falling to basal levels (0-40 micrograms/L) by 1200 h. Plasma GH levels were measured at 20-min intervals in the same subjects. Neither peak nor basal BP-28 levels were significantly associated with chronological age, bone age, mean or peak nocturnal GH secretion, relative height, or relative growth velocity in tall, normal, short, or GH-deficient children. Plasma proteins measured in a RIA for 53,000 mol wt GH-dependent IGF-binding protein (BP-53) did not vary diurnally. The IGF-binding activity of plasma BP-28, measured by incubating plasma with IGF tracer and precipitating the BP-28-IGF complex with anti-BP-28 antiserum, closely paralleled the morning rise in BP-28 immunoreactivity. Immunoprecipitable BP-28 bound both IGF-I and IGF-II tracers, with a clear preference for IGF-I, and unlabeled IGF-I was more effective than IGF-II in displacing either tracer IGF. We conclude that plasma BP-28 levels in children have a marked diurnal rhythm which is unrelated to GH secretory activity.     

Two immunoreactive binding proteins for insulin-like growth factors in human amniotic fluid: relationship to fetal maturity

A binding protein for insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) has been purified from human amniotic fluid by IGF-I affinity chromatography and high performance reverse phase chromatography. This protein, with an apparent molecular mass of 28K nonreduced and 34K reduced, had an identical amino-terminus to a previously purified binding protein from amniotic fluid and to placental protein 12. The purified preparation (BP-28) bound both IGFs with high affinity [Ka, 6.55 +/- 2.24 (+/- SD) L/nmol for IGF-I and 3.23 +/- 1.05 L/nmol for IGF-II], with approximately 0.5 mol binding sites/mol BP-28 for either ligand. A 53K IGF-binding protein purified from human plasma (BP-53) did not cross-react in a RIA for BP-28, and BP-28 had less than 0.1% molar cross-reactivity in a RIA for BP-53. Human amniotic fluid reacted strongly in both assays. Fractionation of amniotic fluid samples by reverse phase chromatography showed that BP-28 and BP-53 immunoreactivities were present on separate proteins. In 40 third trimester amniotic fluid samples selected to cover a wide range of lecithin to sphingomyelin ratios, the mean concentrations of BP-28 and BP-53 were 37.6 +/- 17.6 (+/- SD) and 4.6 +/- 1.6 mg/L, respectively. Significant negative correlations were found between the levels of both BP-28 and BP-53 and the lecithin to sphingomyelin ratio, suggesting an association between the levels of both proteins and the degree of fetal maturity. A significant positive association was also found between the levels of BP-28 and BP-53. We conclude that the 28K IGF-binding protein from amniotic fluid, like the previously purified 53K binding protein, has high affinity for both IGF-I and IGF-II, that it coexists in amniotic fluid with BP-53 or a related protein, and that the levels of both proteins decline with increasing fetal maturity.     

Differential effects of IGF-binding proteins, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5, on IGF-I action and binding to cell membranes of immortalized human chondrocytes

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is an important anabolic factor for cartilage tissue and its action is, in part, regulated by IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). The object of this study was to investigate the effects of IGFBPs on IGF-I action and on binding of IGF-I to cells using a reproducible immortalized human chondrocyte culture model. Treatment of the C-28/I2 cells with IGF-I or des(1-3)IGF-I in serum-free medium stimulated cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. However, the effect of des(1-3)IGF-I was more potent, thereby suggesting that endogenously produced IGFBPs inhibited IGF action. The stimulatory effect of IGF-I was inhibited significantly by addition of IGFBP-3 but enhanced slightly by IGFBP-5. However, neither IGFBP-3 nor IGFBP-5 had an effect on basal cell growth. Binding of (125)I-labeled IGF-I to the cells was displaced by both IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5, although higher concentrations of unlabeled IGFBP-5 were required to displace IGF-I to the same extent as IGFBP-3. Treatment of the cells with IGF-I increased the levels of IGFBP-5 protein measured by Western ligand blotting, and stimulated a corresponding increase in IGFBP-5 mRNA while increasing type II collagen mRNA. Our findings indicate that the balance between IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 influences IGF receptor binding and its action on chondrocyte proliferation, and may thereby modulate cartilage metabolism.     

An acid-stable insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein from pig serum inhibits binding of IGF-I and IGF-II to vascular endothelial cells

The effects of a porcine insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein on binding of IGF-I and IGF-II to porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) were determined. Binding of 125I-labelled IGF-I and -II to IGF receptors was inhibited by IGF-binding protein. IGF-binding protein inhibited binding of IGF-I and -II in a dose-dependent manner with half-maximal inhibition occurring at 5.43 and 108 micrograms/l respectively. A 125I-labelled IGF-I--IGF-binding protein complex, formed by incubating 125I-labelled IGF-I with IGF-binding protein overnight at 4 degrees C, did not effectively bind to endothelial IGF receptors. Addition of IGF-binding protein to PAEC previously incubated with IGF-I caused a marked dissociation of bound IGF-I (47% dissociation within 12h). These results indicate that the acid-stable IGF-binding protein which appears to be a part of the 150 kDa GH-dependent binding protein, blocks binding of IGF-I and -II by the IGF receptors and appears to exhibit a higher affinity for IGF-I than the endothelial type-I IGF receptor. The ramifications of this latter point with respect to transfer of circulating IGFs (bound to their IGF-binding proteins) across the vascular endothelium are not clear.     

Insulin-like growth factor receptors and binding protein in rat neuroblastoma cells

B104, an established rat neuroblastoma cell line exhibiting specific neuronal qualities, was chosen as a model to study insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding and action in the central nervous system. Specific binding of [125I]IGF-II to B104 membranes averaged 12.2 +/- 4.0% (mean +/- SD)/100 micrograms/ml protein compared with [125I]IGF-I binding of 10.1 +/- 2.9%. In competitive binding studies employing [125I]IGF-II as the radioligand, high affinity for IGF-II was demonstrated (50% displacement at 2.7 ng/ml), with none for IGF-I or insulin. Upon cross-linking [125I]IGF-I to membranes under reducing conditions, two prominent bands were observed, migrating with apparent mol wt (Mr) of 135,000 and 280,000. Both bands were inhibited by IGFs and insulin, but not by R-II-PABI, a polyclonal antibody to the type 2 receptor. These bands presumably represent the alpha-subunit and an incompletely reduced alpha-alpha-dimer of the type 1 IGF receptor. When cross-linking [125I]IGF-II to membranes under reducing conditions, the primary labeled bands migrated with apparent Mr of 260,000 and 280,000. These bands were inhibited by IGF-II and R-II-PABI, but not by insulin, and probably represent the monomeric type 2 receptor. In addition, we observed a minor band at apparent Mr 35,000, which was inhibited by IGF but not by insulin. By a modified cross-linking technique, we confirmed the existence of a small IGF-binding protein in the serum-free conditioned medium of B104 cultures, migrating as two bands with apparent Mr of 33,000-39,000. These proteins demonstrated high affinity for IGF-I and IGF-II, but none for insulin. In summary, this study demonstrates the presence in B104 rat neuroblastoma cells of 1) abundant classical type 1 and type 2 IGF receptors, and 2) a secreted and membrane-associated small IGF-binding protein.     

Insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGF-BPs) produced by human skin fibroblasts: immunological relationship to other human IGF-BPs

We have characterized the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGF-BP) produced by neonatal human skin fibroblasts in monolayer culture using antibodies specific for the acid-stable subunit of the 150K GH-dependent IGF-BP complex, BP-53, and the amniotic fluid IGF-BP, BP-28. Fibroblasts produced 65.3 +/- 10.4 ng/ml.72 h (SE; n = 6) immunoreactive BP-53 in serum-free medium; this was stimulated by increasing fetal bovine serum in the medium up to 385.3 +/- 49.0 ng/ml.72 h at 10% serum. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) also caused dose-dependent stimulation of BP-53 production, with a maximal effect (3-fold increase) at 30 ng/ml EGF. No immunoreactive BP-28 production was detectable in the presence or absence of serum or EGF. Neutral gel chromatography of serum-free medium revealed a peak of immunoreactive BP-53 at about 50K, with a smaller species at 20-30 K. Serum- and EGF-stimulated cells produced higher levels of about 50K BP-53, and an additional peak of immunoreactivity at 150K was present in serum-stimulated, but not EGF-stimulated, samples. Comparison of IGF-I and IGF-II binding by fibroblast BP-53 revealed slightly higher IGF-II than IGF-I binding, and association constants of 3-4 x 10(10) liter/mol for both IGFs, similar to BP-53 from human plasma. Affinity labeling of acid-stripped medium followed by nonreduced sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed specifically cross-linked IGF-binding species of 60K (identical to labeled plasma BP-53), 42K, and 37K. Only the 60K and 42K complexes were precipitable by antiserum to plasma BP-53, and none was precipitable by anti-BP-28 serum, suggesting that the 37K band might represent a third class of IGF-BP. We conclude that neonatal skin fibroblasts produce no BP-28, but do produce two IGF-BPs immunologically homologous to human plasma BP-53, one of which shows size and IGF-binding characteristics identical to the plasma protein.     

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 blocks IGF-I-induced receptor down-regulation and cell desensitization in cultured bovine fibroblasts.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) initiates its diverse biological effects by binding to type I IGF receptors on cells. In addition, IGF-I associates with distinct proteins that can modulate its actions. One of these IGF-binding proteins, IGFBP-3, is the major circulating form in adults and is produced by many cells in culture. We investigated the effect of purified bovine IGFBP-3 on IGF-I binding and IGF-I stimulation of amino acid uptake and DNA synthesis in cultured bovine fibroblasts, a cell culture system highly suitable for these types of studies. Incubation of cells with IGF-I resulted in time- and dose-dependent decreases in [125I]IGF-I binding and IGF-I stimulated [3H]aminoisobutyric acid uptake and [3H]thymidine incorporation. Preincubation with 4 nM IGF-I resulted in a 50-60% decrease in IGF-I receptor binding, accompanied by marked decreases in IGF-I-stimulated [3H]aminoisobutyric acid uptake (50-60%) and [3H]thymidine incorporation (80-90%). Preincubation with the IGF-I analog [QAYL]IGF-I (4 nM) or with 100 nM insulin, growth factors that bind and activate type I IGF receptor signalling but have little or no affinity for IGFBP-3, had effects comparable to IGF-I, decreasing both IGF-I binding and action 50-95%. The addition of IGFBP-3 during the preincubation period with IGF-I blocked the decrease in receptor availability and prevented the cells from becoming desensitized. IGFBP-3 did not prevent the [QAYL]IGF-I- or insulin-induced receptor loss and cellular resistance to IGF-I. These data indicate that IGFBP-3 can prevent IGF-I-induced receptor down-regulation, a process that renders cells refractory to further stimulation by IGF-I. Thus, cell-derived IGFBP-3 may function in a buffering capacity to restrict IGF-I and target cell interaction, thereby modulating the biological response to changes in local IGF-I levels.     

Autocrine regulation of human tumor cell proliferation by insulin-like growth factor II: an in-vitro model.

We have shown that a pleomorphic cell line of abnormal human karyotype derived from a stomach carcinoma (LIM-1839) proliferates in serum-free medium, expresses insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) mRNA, and secretes IGF-II (up to 56 ng/ml in serum-free conditioned medium, as measured in a rat liver RRA. No detectable levels of IGF-I can be measured in serum-free conditioned medium by RIA. These cells also secrete IGF-binding proteins, detected by a charcoal adsorption assay. The release of IGF-II and IGF binding proteins into serum-free conditioned medium (1.7 pmol/10(6) cells.24 h and 0.8 pmol binding sites/10(6) cells.24 h for 3 days, respectively) is inhibited 80% by cycloheximide (10 micrograms/ml). The LIM-1839 cells have type I and type II IGF receptors, determined by affinity cross-linking and competition binding studies. These cells proliferated 1.6-fold over 4 days in serum-free medium, with fresh medium changes on days 0 and 2: their growth was inhibited 56% by 40 micrograms/ml Sm 1.2, a monoclonal antibody which recognizes IGF-I and IGF-II. The addition of 20 and 50 ng/ml multiplication stimulating activity (rat IGF-II) caused 1.8- and 1.7-fold increases in cell growth between days 0 and 4 compared to controls, while [Thr59]IGF-I, at 20 and 50 ng/ml, caused 1.6- and 2.0-fold increases. Insulin, at 2 and 10 micrograms/ml, had no significant effect. The stimulatory effects of endogenous and exogenous IGFs on LIM-1839 cell proliferation were inhibited by a monoclonal antibody to the type I IGF receptor, alpha IR-3. These results suggest that the LIM-1839 cells are biologically responsive to endogenously produced IGF-II, and may thereby provide an in vitro model for autocrine regulation of human tumor growth by IGF-II.     

Regulation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein expression by growth factors and cytokines alters IGF-mediated proliferation of postnatal lung fibroblasts

Postnatal day 5 is the beginning of septation and the peak of postnatal fibroblast proliferation. The author and colleagues studied fibroblasts from this developmental time period to determine factors that regulate cell proliferation. Exposure of cells to insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I for 48 hours increased cell number whereas exposure to epithelial growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-7, FGF-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), or interleukin (L)-1beta did not alter cell number. Long[R3]IGF-I (a synthetic IGF analog with reduced affinity for IGF-binding proteins [IGFBPs]) was more potent than IGF-I, with half-maximal stimulation at a dose of 0.6 nM for long[R3]IGF-I compared to 1.5 nM for IGF-I, suggesting that IGFBPs in the conditioned medium (CM) inhibit IGF activity. Addition of exogenous IGFBP-3 inhibited the IGF-stimulated increase in cell number. Addition of IGFBP-4 did not alter IGF activity because IGF-I stimulated proteolysis of IGFBP-4. The expression of mRNA for PAPP-A (a known IGFBP-4 protease) suggests that the clearance of IGFBP-4 is mediated by pregnancy-associated plasma protein (PAPP)-A. Exposure of cells to TNF-alpha or IL-1beta increased IGFBP-3 mRNA abundance and IGFBP-3 protein in CM. PDGF-BB and IL-1beta increased IGFBP-4 protein abundance and PDGF-BB and dibutyryl cAMP increased IGFBP-4 mRNA. The increase in CM IGFBP-3 following TNF-alpha exposure blocked IGF-mediated cell proliferation, suggesting that the growth factor- and cytokine-mediated changes in IGFBP abundance regulate postnatal fibroblast cell proliferation.     

Inhibitory effects of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins on steroidogenesis by human granulosa cells in culture.

The effects of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) 1 and 3 on steroidogenesis by human granulosa cells has been examined. Both IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 produced a dose-related inhibition of IGF-I-stimulated oestradiol accumulation in granulosa cell-conditioned medium with complete reversal of the effects of IGF-I in the presence of a molar excess of binding protein. IGFBPs 1 and 3 also exerted a small (25-40%) but significant and consistent inhibition of oestradiol secretion in response to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) alone. The progesterone response to IGF-I was inhibited by IGFBPs 1 and 3 but there was no effect on FSH-stimulated progesterone production. These data support the concept of a physiologically important intraovarian IGF system in the human ovary and demonstrate an unequivocally inhibitory effect of IGFBPs 1 and 3 on IGF-I-stimulated granulosa cell steroidogenesis.     

Dexamethasone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 modulation of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins in rat osteoblast-like cell cultures.

Using the method of Western ligand blot, we have found that the major form of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGF-BP) secreted by rat osteoblastic-like cells in culture is a 31-kDa protein that is immunologically identical to BP-2, the binding protein originally identified in conditioned medium of Buffalo rat liver cells (BRL-3A). Two minor forms of IGF-BPs with apparent mol wt of 24 kDa (BP-24) and 42 kDa (BP-42) have also been identified. The amount of IGF-BPs in serum-free conditioned medium increased 3-fold on day 3 compared to the day 1 level. We also studied the modulation of IGF-BPs by dexamethasone (DEX), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D3], and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). DEX coordinately reduced the level of IGF-BPs in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which resulted in less than 10% of the BP-2 remaining at 100 nM. In contrast, 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 100 nM enhanced the amount of BP-2 by 1-fold. In combined treatments, 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 10 nM was unable to antagonize the inhibitory effect of DEX in the dose range of 1-10 nM. IGF-I, at 1 and 10 nM, proved to be a potent stimulator of all IGF-BPs, and at 10 nM, it completely reversed the inhibition by 100 nM DEX. Although the roles of IGF-BPs have not been clearly defined in bone cells, they are capable of modulating the biological actions of IGFs in other cell culture systems. Modulation of the IGF-BP level by DEX, 1,25-(OH)2D3, and IGF-I suggests important roles for these binding proteins in altering IGF-I action in rat osteoblast-like cell cultures.     

Binding properties of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), IGFBP-3 N- and C-terminal fragments, and structurally related proteins mac25 and connective tissue growth factor measured using a biosensor

We measured the binding of IGF-I and IGF-II to recombinant human N-terminal [residues 1-97; recombinant human IGF-binding protein-3(1-97) (rhIGFBP-3(1-97))] and C-terminal (residues 98-264; rhIGFBP-3(98-264)) IGFBP-3 fragments and compared it with IGF binding to intact IGFBP-3 using biosensor analysis. Experiments were carried out in different configurations, either with binding protein or fragment immobilized or with IGF immobilized. These experiments showed that IGF-I and IGF-II bind to IGFBP-3 with affinities of 4-5 x 10(9) M(-1) and similar binding kinetics. The affinities of both rhIGFBP-3(1-97) and rhIGFBP-3(98-264) for IGF proteins were approximately 3 orders of magnitude less than that of full-length IGFBP-3. These results further support the concept that high affinity binding of IGF to IGF-binding proteins results from a two-site interaction of IGF with both the N- and C-terminal regions of the binding protein. Binding of insulin to IGFBP-3 and its N- and C-terminal fragments and of IGF-I and IGF-II to the structurally related proteins mac25 and connective tissue growth factor was also investigated. Weak insulin binding to full-length IGFBP-3 could be demonstrated in a few experiments, but we found that binding of IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin to mac25 or connective tissue growth factor was below the detection limit of the biosensor instrument.     

Insulin-like growth factor I regulates growth hormone secretion and messenger ribonucleic acid levels in human pituitary tumor cells

GH secretion and mRNA levels were measured in cultured human GH adenoma cells incubated in serum-free medium for up to 48 h. A human recombinant insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) analog, Thr-59-IGF-I (6.5 nM), inhibited basal GH secretion by up to 60% in tumor cell cultures. The 30-50% stimulation of GH secretion by GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) was prevented by simultaneous exposure of the cells to IGF-I (6.5 nM). Gel electrophoresis of total RNA derived from GH cell adenoma tissue, followed by transfer and hybridization with 32P-labeled human GH cDNA, revealed a distinct mRNA species of about 1.0 kilobases. Using cytoplasmic dot blot hybridization, IGF-I inhibited the levels of human GH mRNA sequences in these cells and also prevented the GHRH-induced stimulation of GH mRNA. A monoclonal antibody to the type I IGF-I receptor (alpha IR3) prevented the inhibitory effects of IGF-I on basal and GHRH-stimulated GH secretion. This antibody also prevented the IGF-I-induced suppression of GH mRNA sequences. PRL secretion in these cells was not altered by IGF-I. Furthermore, relative levels of beta-actin mRNA were unaltered by IGF-I. Thus, IGF-I suppresses basal and GHRH-stimulated GH secretion and GH mRNA levels in pituitary adenoma cells, indicating that IGF-I acts selectively on the somatotroph to directly regulate GH gene expression.     

Synthetic low-calcaemic vitamin D(3) analogues inhibit secretion of insulin-like growth factor II and stimulate production of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-6 in conjunction with growth suppression of HT-29 colon cancer cells

The aims of the present study were to compare the ability of various synthetic analogues of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1 alpha,25-(OH)(2)D(3)] to inhibit proliferation of HT-29 cells, a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line. HT-29 cells were incubated for 144 h with various concentrations (0-100 nM) of 1 alpha,25-(OH)(2)D(3), or the analogues EB1089, CB1093 or 1 beta,25-(OH)(2)D(3). All these analogues except 1 beta,25-(OH)(2)D(3) inhibited cell proliferation, but relative potencies and efficacies of EB1089 and CB1093 were much greater than that of the native vitamin. Cells grew in serum-free medium, reaching a plateau density at day 10 of culture, and addition of 10 nM 1 alpha,25-(OH)(2)D(3) or 1 beta,25-(OH)(2)D(3) did not alter the long-term growth characteristics of HT-29 cells. However, cells treated with 10 nM EB1089 or CB1093 grew at a rate slower than control and reached final densities that were 53+/-1 and 36+/-2% lower than control, respectively. Immunoblot analysis of serum-free conditioned medium using a monoclonal anti-insulin-like growth factor-(IGF)-II antibody showed that both 10 nM EB1089 and CB1093 markedly inhibited secretion of both mature 7500 M(r) and higher M(r) forms of IGF-II. Ligand blot and immunoblot analyses of conditioned media revealed the presence of IGFBPs of M(r) 24,000 (IGFBP-4), 30,000 (glycosylated IGFBP-4), 35,000 (IGFBP-2) and 32,000-34,000 (IGFBP-6). The level of IGFBP-2 was decreased by 42+/-8 and 49+/-7% by 10 nM EB 1089 and CB1093, respectively, compared to controls. IGFBP-6 was increased approximately twofold by EB1089 and CB1093, and exogenously added IGFBP-6 inhibited HT-29 cell proliferation. These results suggest that inhibition of HT-29 cell proliferation by EB1089 and CB1093 may be attributed, at least in part, to the decreased secretion of IGF-II. The increase in IGFBP-6 concentration coupled with its high affinity for IGF-II may also contribute to decreased cellular proliferation by an indirect mechanism involving sequestration of endogenously produced IGF-II.     

Increased secretion of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins and decreased secretion of insulin-like growth factor-II by muscle from growth-retarded neonatal rats.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) may be important factors in the control of neonatal growth. We have examined the production, in vitro, of IGFBPs and IGFs by hind-limb skeletal muscle from normal and small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonatal rats. Conditioned medium was collected from muscle strips after incubation at 37 degrees C for 2 h in Ham's F-12 medium. The conditioned medium was subjected to acid-gel permeation chromatography to separate IGFBPs from IGFs. The binding of 125I-labelled IGF-I to IGFBPs from both control and SGA muscle was displaced equipotently by IGF-I and IGF-II and not at all by insulin. IGFBPs from control and SGA muscles bound IGF-I with comparable affinities (Kd = 0.071 and 0.069 nmol/l respectively). When IGF-II was used as tracer, neither IGF-I nor insulin competed for binding. Western ligand blots of IGFBPs in conditioned media from both control and SGA muscles showed three bands of radioactivity at molecular masses equivalent to 24, 30 and 40 kDa. When the release of IGFBPs by muscle tissue in vitro was quantified by measuring the number of IGF-I binding sites in acid-fractionated medium it was apparent that the muscles from SGA pups secreted significantly more IGFBPs (39.3 +/- 7.5 fmol/mg muscle protein per 2 h) than the muscles from control pups (17.8 +/- 2.7 fmol/mg protein per 2 h; P less than 0.05). In contrast to the IGFBPs, more IGF activity was secreted by the muscles from the control pups (61.1 +/- 15.6 fmol/mg muscle protein per 2 h) than the muscles from the SGA pups (12.6 +/- 5.8 fmol/mg muscle protein per 2 h; P less than 0.05). Analysis of the IGF activity with assays specific for IGF-I and IGF-II showed that both SGA and control muscles secreted predominantly IGF-II with approximately 10% of the total IGF activity measurable as IGF-I. This differential secretion of IGFBPs and IGFs may be associated with the reduced growth potential of the SGA neonate.     

Embryonic chick cartilage produces its own somatomedin-like peptide to stimulate cartilage growth in vitro

Embryonic chick pelvic cartilages increase in size and weight when incubated in a chemically defined medium in the absence of serum. We addressed the question of whether endogenous production of growth factors by the cartilage was responsible for this growth. We found that conditioned medium, in which pelvic cartilages from 9-day-old chick embryos had been incubated for 3 days, increased cartilage dry weight 32% over weights of cartilages incubated in fresh medium. Increasing concentrations of conditioned medium stimulated cartilage weight and proline incorporation in a dose-dependent manner. To determine the molecular size(s) of potential growth-stimulating factors, conditioned medium was dialyzed at acid pH, lyophilized, and fractioned over HPLC-TSK Spherogel 3000. The collections were pooled into five fractions (greater than 100K, 30-100K, 20-30K, 12-20K, 1-12K, and less than 1K). Each fraction was readded to organ culture, and growth was assessed 3 days later. Only the 1-12K fraction stimulated growth above that of control cartilage. We assayed cartilage and conditioned medium for somatomedin-C (Sm-C) by RIA to determine if Sm-like peptides were present. Although Sm-C was not detectable within the cartilage, it was readily measurable in concentrated medium (248 +/- 35 pg/ml). Since Sm-like peptides might play a functional role in the growth process, we used a monoclonal antibody to Sm-C to determine whether immunoneutralization of the Sm-like peptides would inhibit cartilage growth in vitro. Addition of anti-Sm-C to organ culture of chick cartilage prevented increases in cartilage wet and dry weights (only 16% and 0%, respectively, above preincubation weights). The inhibitory effect of anti-Sm-C could be reversed by the addition of high doses of insulin to the medium. These studies suggest that endogenously produced Sm-like peptides have a functional role in promoting cartilage growth and support the hypothesis that growth factors may regulate growth through autocrine mechanisms.     

Structural and biological characterization of bovine insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) purified from bovine serum shares 19 of 25 amino-terminal amino acid residues with IGFBP-3 purified from human, rat, and porcine sources. A newly characterized bovine fibroblast model was used to investigate the biological effects of purified bovine IGFBP-3 (bIGFBP-3). Coincubation of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) with increasing concentrations of bIGFBP-3 produced a dose-dependent inhibition of IGF-I-stimulated [3H]aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) uptake in cultured bovine fibroblasts. Inhibition was complete at equimolar concentrations of IGF-I and bIGFBP-3. Inhibition of IGF-I-stimulated [3H]AIB uptake paralleled the ability of bIGFBP-3 to prevent [125I]IGF-I cell surface binding. In contrast, preincubation with bIGFBP-3 resulted in a dose-dependent enhancement of IGF-I-stimulated [3H]AIB uptake; a 32-86% increase in IGF-I bioactivity was seen after a 24 h preexposure to 10 nM bIGFBP-3, and a 2- to 6-fold potentiation was seen after a 72 h preincubation. Preincubation with bIGFBP-3 increased both the sensitivity and maximal responsiveness of the cells to IGF-I. The potentiating effects of bIGFBP-3 were associated with increased [125I]IGF-I binding to cultured bovine fibroblasts. Affinity cross-linking experiments indicated that the increase in IGF-I binding was due to increased membrane-associated bIGFBP-3 rather than to a bIGFBP-3-induced increase in type I IGF receptors. bIGFBP-3 had no effect on insulin stimulation of [3H]AIB uptake under either experimental condition. These data suggest that soluble bIGFBP-3 inhibits IGF-I action by sequestering and preventing IGF-I receptor binding, whereas surface-associated bIGFBP-3 enhances the growth-promoting effects of IGF-I in bovine fibroblasts. We propose that IGFBP-3 serves a dual function in modulating IGF action in vivo.     

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), IGF receptors, and IGF-binding proteins in primary cultures of prostate epithelial cells.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are potent mitogens that bind with high affinity and specificity to IGF receptors and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). We studied the roles of these three groups of proteins in prostate epithelial cells (PEC) in primary culture grown under serum-free conditions. Affinity cross-linking of IGF-I and IGF-II to crude membranes prepared from PEC revealed an abundance of type 1 IGF receptors and no evidence of type 2 IGF receptors. Western ligand blots of conditioned media (CM) from PEC demonstrated the presence of two specific IGFBP bands similar to those previously demonstrated in seminal plasma, with approximate mol wt of 31 and 24 kDa. The 31-kDa band was immunoprecipitable with an antibody to IGFBP-2, and neither band could be deglycosylated with endoglycosidase-F. Northern blot analysis of poly(A)+ RNA prepared from PEC with cDNAs for hIGFBP-1, -2, and -3 documented the expression of mRNA for hIGFBP-2 only. Modifications of the serum-free conditions of PEC did not significantly alter the IGFBP profile of PEC CM. The ability of IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin to stimulate clonal growth of PEC was examined. IGF-I stimulated PEC growth with an ED50 of 0.1 ng/mL. IGF-II and insulin, respectively, were 1 and 3 orders of magnitude less effective than IGF-I in stimulating the growth of PEC. Radioimmunoassayable IGF-I and IGF-II levels in PEC CM were below the assay detection levels. In conclusion, we suggest that IGFs are important growth stimulators of PEC in culture, that their actions are mediated through the type 1 IGF receptor, and that PEC produce hIGFBP-2 and a 24-kDa IGFBP which may modulate IGF action in these cells.     

THE GROWTH HORMONE INDEPENDENT INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I BINDING PROTEIN BP-28 IS ASSOCIATED WITH SERUM INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I INHIBITORY BIOACTIVITY IN ADOLESCENT INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETICS

The relationship between the growth hormone independent insulin-like growth factor binding protein (BP-28) and serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) inhibitory bioactivity observed in diabetic serum was investigated in five poorly controlled adolescent type I diabetics. We have measured the in-vitro effects of purified BP-28 from amniotic fluid on serum IGF-I stimulated and basal cartilage sulphation and compared serum IGF-I bioactivity obtained from 24-h serum profiles from each diabetic subject with serum concentrations of BP-28 and IGF-I measured by specific radioimmunoassays. Purified BP-28 inhibited serum IGF-I stimulated and basal cartilage sulphation in vitro, in a dose-dependent manner. Serum IGF-I bioactivity of diabetic sera showed a change in activity over the 24-h period, with peak inhibitory bioactivity observed in each subject between 0800 and 1000 h. BP-28 concentrations in each individual showed a marked circadian rhythm with maximum peak levels occurring at 0800 h. Long-acting insulin administered in the evening in two of the diabetic subjects blunted the maximum peak level attained compared to the three diabetics who had long-acting insulin administered in the morning. IGF-I concentrations did not change over the 24-h period in each individual. The data shows that BP-28 inhibits serum IGF-bioactivity on cartilage in vitro. The changes in inhibitory bioactivity observed in diabetic serum are associated with similar changes in serum concentrations of BP-28. We propose that BP-28 is one of the IGF-I inhibitors observed in diabetic serum and that it may play a role in retarded growth and delayed puberty often seen in the adolescent diabetic.     

The divergent effect of insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) - 1 on IGF-induced Steroidogenesis in bovine adrenocortical cells is not due to its phosphorylation status.

In previous studies we have shown that insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II stimulates basal as well as ACTH-induced cortisol secretion from bovine adrenocortical cells more potently than IGF-I. The steroidogenic effect of both, IGF-I and IGF-II, is mediated through the IGF-I receptor and modified by locally produced IGF binding proteins. Further studies demonstrate that bovine adrenocortical cells do synthesize IGFBP-1 to -4 and that their secretion is regulated differentially by IGFs and ACTH. Since IGFBP-1 selectively is induced 3- to 4- fold by ACTH, the aim of the following studies was to evaluate the effect of IGFBP-1 on IGF-induced cortisol secretion from bovine adrenocortical cells in primary culture. Coincubation of bovine adrenocortical cells with purified IGFBP-1 (30 nM) induced a time--and dose-dependent potentiating effect (38+/-2%) on IGF-I-stimulated (6.5 nM) cortisol-secretion, wheras the IGF-II induced steroidogenic effect was inhibited (40+/-3%) by IGFBP-1. Similar results were found when bovine adrenocortical cells were preincubated with IGFBP-1 before stimulation experiments with IGFs were performed. In order to evaluate the influence of different phosphorylation states of IGFBP-1 on the steroidogenic effect of IGF-I and IGF-II and on the affinity to IGFs, a highly phosphorylated (pIGFBP-1) and a dephosphorylated isoform (dIGFBP-1) of IGFBP-1 have been separated by anion exchange chromatography for further incubation experiments and binding studies. No different effects on IGF-I or IGF-II-induced steroidogenesis were observed when a highly phosphorylated IGFBP-1 isoform was used, compared to the dephosphorylated IGFBP-1 isoforms. In binding studies IGFBP-1 did show high affinity binding for IGF-I with a calculated association constant (K (a)) of 2,17 x 10 (9) M (-1). Similar association constants were calculated for dIGFBP-1 and pIGFBP-1 (1,93 x 10 (9) M (-1) and 2,67 x 10 (9) M (-1) respectively) and no difference in binding capacity was observed when IGF-II was used as ligand. IN CONCLUSION, these results demonstrate that in bovine adrenocortical cells IGFBP-1 time- and dose-dependently inhibits the steroidogenic effect of IGF-II and stimulates the effect of IGF-I. The observed modulatory effect of IGFBP-1 is independent of the mode of incubation and its phosphorylation status. The previously observed stronger steroidogenic potency of IGF-II in bovine adrenocortical cells therefore can not be explained by an interaction with IGFBP-1. The mechanisms by which IGFBP-1 divergently regulates the steroidogenic effect of IGF-I and IGF-II remain unclear at present and further investigation is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms by which IGFBP-1 modulates IGF action in the adult adrenal gland.