Developmental pattern of fetal growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I, growth hormone binding protein and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3

AIMS: To evaluate the developmental pattern of fetal growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), GH binding protein (GHBP) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGF-3); to determine the implications for fetal growth. METHODS: Serum GH, IGF-I, GHBP and IGFBP-3 were measured in 53 fetuses, 41 aged 20-26 weeks (group A) and 12 aged 31-38 weeks (group B). Fetal blood samples were obtained by direct puncture of the umbilical vein in utero. Fetal blood samples were taken to rule out beta thalassaemia, chromosome alterations, mother to fetus transmissible infections, and for maternal rhesus factor. GHBP was determined by gel filtration chromatography of serum incubated overnight with 125I-GH. GH, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Fetal serum GH concentrations in group A (median 29 micrograms/l, range 11-92) were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those of group B (median 16.7 micrograms/l, range 4.5-29). IGF-I in group A (median 20 micrograms/l, range 4.1-53.3) was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than in group B (median 75.2 micrograms/l, range 27.8-122.3). Similarly, IGFBP-3 concentrations in group A (median 950 micrograms/l, range 580-1260) were significantly lower than those of group B (median 1920 micrograms/l, range 1070-1770). There was no significant difference between GHBP values in group A (median 8.6%, range 6.6-12.6) and group B (median 8.3%, range 6-14.3). Gestational age correlated positively with IGF-I concentrations (P < 0.0001) and IGFBP-3 (P < 0.0001) and negatively with GH (P < 0.0001). GHBP values did not correlate with gestational age. Multiple regression analysis showed a negative correlation between GH:IGF-I ratio and fetal growth indices CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneous evaluation of fetal GH, IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and GHBP suggests that the GH-IGF-I axis might already be functional in utero. The progressive improvement in the efficiency of this axis in the last part of gestation does not seem to be due to an increase in GH receptors.     

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein production by bovine and human vascular smooth muscle cells: production of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-6 by human smooth muscle

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) secretory profiles were determined for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) derived from bovine aorta and human aorta, pulmonary artery, and coronary artery. The bovine cells produced IGFBP-4, IGFBP-3, and an IGFBP-3 protease. IGF-I stimulated messenger RNA (mRNA) and media levels of IGFBP-3. The human cells produced IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, and IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 proteases. The three human cells also produced a 30K IGFBP, shown to be IGFBP-6, based on increased affinity for IGF-II vs. IGF-I, size decrease when treated with O-glycanase, but not N-glycanase, reactivity with IGFBP-6 antiserum, presence of a 1.3-kilobase pair mRNA that hybridized to IGFBP-6 specific complementary DNA, and N-terminal amino acid sequence corresponding to IGFBP-6. In the human cells, IGF-I increased media levels of IGFBP-3 through stimulation of IGFBP-3 mRNA and dissociation of cell bound IGFBP-3, and decreased IGFBP-4 via potentiation of IGFBP-4 proteolysis. Neither the bovine nor the human aorta VSMC produced sufficient IGFBP-2 or IGFBP-2 mRNA to be detected by ligand blot and Northern analysis, as previously reported for porcine and rat aorta smooth muscle cells. The variable expression of IGFBPs and IGFBP proteases by VSMC are likely to contribute to differential vascular reactivity to the IGFs in larger arterial blood vessels.     

Comparison of production of choriogonadotropin inhibitory protein, prolactin and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 by human decidua in vitro

BACKGROUND: Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is elevated in cancer patients and is thought to promote tumor angiogenesis by facilitating endothelial cell migration through plasmin-mediated degradation of extracellular matrix. Due to the presence of an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-finger domain in the tPA A-chain and the existence of an endothelial cell (EC) receptor that binds this domain, it was hypothesized that tPA has a direct receptor-mediated effect on EC proliferation, independent of plasmin. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using cultured canine ECs, tPA (7.25 microg/ml, approximately 107 nM) increased proliferation as much as 50 and 170% in the absence and presence of growth factors, respectively. tPA-induced increases in EC proliferation occurred independent of plasmin generation, as the plasmin inhibitor, aprotinin (10 microg/ml) did not inhibit tPA-induced proliferation. However, tPA-induced proliferation was inhibited dose-dependently to a maximum of 78% using a monoclonal antibody against the tPA EGF-finger domain. This antibody, known to inhibit tPA binding to its receptor, did not inhibit tPA-induced plasmin generation. To investigate the role of potential signal transduction pathways, ECs were exposed to lavendustin A, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, at 33.5 microM (IC50 for basic fibroblast growth factor). Lavendustin A did not inhibit tPA-induced EC proliferation. However, Rp-cAMP, an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent kinases, specifically inhibited tPA-induced EC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 50.5 microM). Pertussis toxin at maximal concentrations for this system (0.5 ng/ml) did not inhibit tPA-induced EC proliferation. CONCLUSION: These results lend support to the hypothesis that tPA may have a direct receptor-mediated effect on EC proliferation and that this effect occurs independent of plasmin and may be dependent upon protein kinase A activity.     

Factors regulating insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 binding, processing, and potentiation of insulin-like growth factor action

In this study, we investigated the effects of various biochemical and pharmacological agents on insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) cell binding and action in cultured bovine fibroblasts. When cells were preincubated for 48 h with 50 nM recombinant human (rh) IGFBP-3, IGF-I-stimulated [3H]aminoisobutyric acid ([125H]AIB) uptake was enhanced 2- to 3-fold. The addition of cytoskeletal disrupting agents during the preincubation with rhIGFBP-3 did not affect IGFBP-3 potentiation of IGF-I action, nor did a variety of serine, aspartate, and metalloproteinase inhibitors. On the other hand, ammonium chloride and chloroquine, weak bases that neutralize the pH of acidic cell compartments, blocked IGFBP-3 potentiation of IGF-I-stimulated [3H]AIB uptake. Chloroquine and ammonium chloride had no effect alone and did not inhibit IGF-I receptor binding or action in the absence of rhIGFBP-3. Bafilomycin A, a specific inhibitor of ATP-dependent hydrogen ion pumps, also inhibited IGFBP-3 potentiation of IGF-I-stimulated [3H]AIB uptake. Competitive [125I]IGF-I binding and affinity cross-linking experiments suggested structure/function changes in cell-bound IGFBP-3 that were altered in the presence of chloroquine and bafilomycin. Heparin markedly decreased initial IGFBP-3 cell adherence, but could not promote dissociation of IGFBP-3 from cells after the 48-h preincubation. Moreover, heparin did not inhibit IGFBP-3 potentiation of IGF-I action. In summary, these data indicate that IGFBP-3 undergoes specific pH-dependent structural and/or environmental modifications that mediate the enhancing effect of IGFBP-3 on IGF-I action in bovine fibroblasts. They also suggest that IGFBP-3 binding to heparin-like molecules on the cell surface is not directly involved in this process.     

Serum free and total insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 Levels in healthy elderly individuals. Relation to self-reported quality of health and disability

Numerous controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of specific immunotherapy, although its mechanism is not completely understood. Few studies have addressed the effects of immunotherapy on the release of mediators. We measured in vitro sulphidoleukotriene (sLT) and histamine release after specific stimulus (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus or Lollium perenne) in a group of patients under immunotherapy (n = 35) and compared the results with those obtained in a group of allergic patients without immunotherapy (n = 57). SLT quantification was carried out by cellular stimulation allergen test (CAST)-ELISA and we measured the amount of histamine release using a fluorometric method. We found a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of allergen-specific mediator release on the group of patients under immunotherapy treatment. When we studied the group of patients sensitive to D. pteronyssinus we also observed a significant reduction in sLT release after the in vitro stimulus with anti-IgE. In vitro sLT production could be a good marker for follow-up immunotherapy. This study provides more evidence to support the immunological and cellular changes induced by immunotherapy.     

Islet cell proliferation and apoptosis in insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 in transgenic mice

Transgenic mice which overexpress insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFPB-1) demonstrate fasting hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and glucose intolerance in adult life. Here we have examined the ontogeny of pancreatic endocrine dysfunction and investigated islet cell proliferation and apoptosis in this mouse model. In addition we have examined pancreatic insulin content in transgenic mice derived from blastocyst transfer into non-transgenic mice. Transgenic mice were normoglycemic at birth but had markedly elevated plasma insulin levels, 56.2 +/- 4.5 versus 25.4 +/- 1.5 pmol/l, p < 0.001, and pancreatic insulin concentration, 60.5 +/- 2.5 versus 49.0 +/- 2.6 ng/mg of tissue, P < 0.01, compared with wild-type mice. Transgenic mice derived from blastocyst transfer to wild-type foster mothers had an elevated pancreatic insulin content similar to that seen in pups from transgenic mice. There was an age-related decline in pancreatic insulin content and plasma insulin levels and an increase in fasting blood glucose concentrations, such that adult transgenic mice had significantly less pancreatic insulin than wild-type mice. Pancreatic islet number and the size of mature islets were increased in transgenic animals at birth compared with wild-type mice. Both islet cell proliferation, measured by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labeling, and apoptosis, assessed by the in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase and nick translation assay, were increased in islets of newborn transgenic mice compared with wild-type mice. In adult mice both islet cell proliferation and apoptosis were low and similar in transgenic and wild-type mice. Islets remained significantly larger and more numerous in adult transgenic mice despite a reduction in pancreatic insulin content. These data suggest that overexpression of IGFBP-1, either directly or indirectly via local or systemic mechanisms, has a positive trophic effect on islet development.     

Competitive binding assay for determination of rat insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3

We describe a novel competitive assay for rat insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (rIGFBP-3) based on the ability of IGFBP-3 to form a ternary complex with the acid labile subunit (ALS) in the presence of IGF. Human (h)ALS was bound to test tubes pre-coated with anti-human ALS antibody. The assay depends on competition between a covalent complex of 125I-hIGF-I and hIGFBP-3, added as tracer, and hIGFBP-3 or rIGFBP-3 in standards and test samples, for binding to the immobilized hALS. Purified natural hIGFBP-3 served as standard. Human IGFBP-3 and rIGFBP-3 were able to compete for tracer binding in the presence, but not in the absence, of IGF-I. Before assay, rat serum samples were acidified to denature endogenous ALS. Standards ranged from 0.10 (lower detection limit) to 20 ng/tube. Rat serum, semipurified rIGFBP-3, human serum and purified hIGFBP-3 diluted in parallel. The level of rIGFBP-3 was 1.63+/-0.28 mg/l (mean+/-SEM) in young rats and increased to 3.41+/-0.26 mg/l (p < 0.05) in old rats (n = 5-6). Fasting for 3 days reduced rIGFBP-3 from 2.41+/-0.27 to 1.33+/-0.14 mg/l (p < 0.05). Levels of rIGFBP-3 were reduced in hypophysectomized (0.16+/-0.04 mg/l; p < 0.05) and diabetic rats (1.04+/-0.30 mg/l; p < 0.05), and normal in insulin-treated diabetic rats (2.49+/-0.04 mg/l; ns), when compared to controls (2.79+/-0.22 mg/l). Changes in levels of IGFBP-3 parallelled those of immunoreactive rALS. We conclude that this assay provides a novel method of quantitating functional IGFBP-3 in rat serum.     

Growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 are regulated differently in small-for-gestational-age and appropriate-for-gestational-age neonates

BACKGROUND: TBP-associated factors contain a variety of structural motifs and their related in vivo significance has remained unclear. We have attempted to identify specific biological phenomena linked to a particular domain of a TAF by analysing domain-exchanged chimeric mutants between Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Sp) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) counterparts. RESULTS: Contrary to the case of TBP, Sp TAF containing the WD40 repeat cannot be exchanged for its Sc counterpart, despite their highly conserved primary structures. This 'species-specific' function locates in the N-terminal region. The C-terminal region, largely consisting of the WD40 repeat, is exchangeable for the corresponding region of its Sc counterpart. Growth of the strain harbouring this C-terminal chimeric mutant is temperature-sensitive. The chimeric gene product did not disappear at a restrictive temperature, a finding which strongly suggests that the growth defect is caused by an aberration in the interactions through the WD40 repeat structural motif. With temperature elevation, the chimeric mutants underwent drastic morphological changes due to a defect in cytokinesis. CONCLUSIONS: The WD40 repeat of TAF is primarily involved in reactions which might regulate cytokinesis in Sp.     

Serum insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, sex steroids, osteocalcin and bone mineral density in male and female rats

Although it has been reported that the rate of weight gain and linear growth increases markedly during puberty in rats, little is known about the relationship between endocrine changes and bone mineral density (BMD) changes upon sexual maturation in these animals. The aim of this study was to examine the levels of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3, sex steroids and osteocalcin, and the changes in BMD in normal aging male and female rats. Male rats exhibited increases in serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations before increases in serum testosterone levels. IGF-I and testosterone peaked at 9 weeks of age, and thereafter remained in a steady state, whereas IGFBP-3 reached a peak at 7 weeks of age, and then gradually declined. A strong correlation between serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels was found in subjects 3-9 weeks old. A highly significant correlation between serum IGF-I and testosterone levels was also found. In females, serum 17 beta-estradiol, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels increased gradually from 3 to 5 weeks old, peaked at 9 weeks, and then decreased slowly thereafter. The correlation coefficient between serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 was highly significant. The correlation coefficient between serum IGF-I and 17 beta-estradiol levels was weak, although it was strongest when the subjects were 3-9 weeks old. Serum osteocalcin is a marker of bone formation; its level remained relatively high from 3 to 9 and from 3 to 7 weeks of age in males and females, respectively, although osteocalcin in both sexes declined gradually with age. As for bone mass, sharp increases in BMD in the tibia, femur and lumbar vertebrae appeared earlier in female than in male rats, and the BMD in females tended to be higher than in males between 5 and 9 weeks old. After 9 weeks of age, BMD in males was higher than that in females, as BMD in males continued to increase whereas females tended to remain in a steady state after this stage. The correlation coefficients between tibial BMD and serum IGF-I or IGFBP-3 levels were highly significant when the subjects were from 3 to 9 weeks old. Taken together, these results suggest that BMD development occurs earlier in female than in male rats. This sex-related difference in changes in the BMD pattern may result from the earlier onset of puberty in females, and from sex-specific differences in concentrations of IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and sex steroids during maturation.     

Influence of circulating epinephrine and norepinephrine on insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 in humans

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of circulating epinephrine (Epi) and norepinephrine (Norepi) on serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) concentrations. Healthy men received 0.3 nmol.kg.min Epi iv (n = 6), 0.5 nmol.kg.min Norepi iv (n = 7), or saline (n = 5) during 30 min. Arterial blood samples were obtained before, during, and 120 min after infusion. During the catecholamine infusion arterial Epi and Norepi plasma concentrations reached 6.35 +/- 0.53 and 15.65 +/- 2.71 nmol/L, respectively, which resulted in significant increases in glucose concentrations. When Epi was infused, IGFBP-1 increased from 45 +/- 6 micrograms/L to 76 +/- 10 micrograms/L (P < 0.05) 60 min after the infusion. Epi was also followed by increases in insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon. Norepi resulted in a slight increase in circulating IGFBP-1 (43 +/- 6 to 54 +/- 8 nmol/L, NS). The findings suggest that Epi, at plasma concentrations similar to those reached during physical stress, stimulates the production of IGFBP-1 in humans.     

Potent inhibition of human ovarian steroidogenesis by insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4)

Several studies have now documented the existence of IGFBPs in follicular fluid and their correlation with the health of the follicle. In particular, increased levels of IGFBP-4 have been reported in androgen-dominant atretic follicles and those from polycystic ovaries. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of IGFBP-4 in ovarian steroidogenesis. Granulosa cells and theca tissue were incubated with or without LH or FSH in the presence or absence of IGFBP-4 (0.5-50 ng/ml). Inhibition by IGFBP-4 of estradiol production in the presence of testosterone alone was seen in three of four experiments. IGFBP-4 completely inhibited FSH-stimulated estradiol production in three experiments and caused 67% inhibition in a fourth. Similar results were obtained for theca, in which concurrent incubation with IGFBP-4 completely negated the stimulatory effects of LH on androstenedione production. The mechanism by which IGFBP-4 exerts these potent effects and the possibility that this may by IGF-independent are currently being investigated.     

Alanine screening mutagenesis establishes tyrosine 60 of bovine insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 as a determinant of insulin-like growth factor binding

The determinants of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding to its binding proteins (IGFBPs) are poorly characterized in terms of important residues in the IGFBP molecule. We have previously used tyrosine iodination to implicate Tyr-60 in the IGF-binding site of bovine IGFBP-2 (Hobba, G. D., Forbes, B. E., Parkinson, E. J., Francis, G. L., and Wallace, J. C. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 30529-30536). In this report, we show that the mutagenic replacement of Tyr-60 with either Ala or Phe reduced the affinity of bIGFBP-2 for IGF-I (4.0- and 8.4-fold, respectively) and for IGF-II (3.5- and 4.0-fold, respectively). Although adjacent residues Val-59, Thr-61, Pro-62, and Arg-63 are well conserved in IGFBP family members, Ala substitution for these residues did not reduce the IGF affinity of bIGFBP-2. Kinetic analysis of the bIGFBP-2 mutants on IGF biosensor chips in the BIAcore instrument revealed that Tyr-60 --> Phe bIGFBP-2 bound to the IGF-I surface 3.0-fold more slowly than bIGFBP-2 and was released 2.6-fold more rapidly than bIGFBP-2. We therefore propose that the hydroxyl group of Tyr-60 participates in a hydrogen bond that is important for the initial complex formation with IGF-I and the stabilization of this complex. In contrast, Tyr-60 --> Ala bIGFBP-2 associated with the IGF-I surface 5.0-fold more rapidly than bIGFBP-2 but exhibited an 18.4-fold more rapid release from this surface compared with bIGFBP-2. Thus both the aromatic nature and the hydrogen bonding potential of the tyrosyl side chain of Tyr-60 are important structural determinants of the IGF-binding site of bIGFBP-2.     

Engineering the C-region of human insulin-like growth factor-1: implications for receptor binding

Recombinant wild-type human IGF-1 and a C-region mutant in which residues 28-37 have been replaced by a 4-glycine bridge (4-Gly IGF-1) were secreted and purified from yeast. An IGF-1 analogue in which residues 29-41 of the C-region have been deleted (mini IGF-1) was created by site-directed mutagenesis and also expressed. All three proteins adopted the insulin-fold as determined by circular dichroism. The significantly raised expression levels of mini IGF-1 allowed the recording of two-dimensional NMR spectra. The affinity of 4-Gly IGF-1 for the IGF-1 receptor was approximately 100-fold lower than that of wild-type IGF-1 and the affinity for the insulin receptor was approximately 10-fold lower. Mini IGF-1 showed no affinity for either receptor. Not only does the C-region of IGF-1 contribute directly to the free energy of binding to the IGF-1 receptor, but also the absence of flexibility in this region eliminates binding altogether. As postulated for the binding of insulin to its own receptor, it is proposed that binding of IGF-1 to the IGF-1 receptor also involves a conformational change in which the C-terminal B-region residues detach from the body of the molecule to expose the underlying A-region residues.     

Retinoic acid inhibits cell growth in HPV negative cervical carcinoma cells by induction of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) secretion

Retinoids have been demonstrated to inhibit epithelial cell growth and differentiation. We examined the anti-proliferative effects of retinoic acid (RA) in an HPV positive and negative cervical carcinoma cell line. Our findings indicate that HPV-negative C33A cervical carcinoma cells are more sensitive to the growth inhibitory activity of retinoic acid (RA) than are HPV-positive CaSki cervical carcinoma cells. However, conditioned medium from RA-treated C33A cells displayed strong growth inhibitory activity in both C33A and CaSki cells. Since RA has been shown to modulate the expression of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) in many cells, we examined RA regulated expression of IGFBPs in medium isolated from RA treated C33A cells. IGFBP-5 was detectable in medium from C33A cells exposed to RA, and addition of purified exogenous IGFBP-5 resulted in growth inhibition of C33A cells. These results indicate that RA exerts it's anti-neoplastic effect in HPV negative cervical carcinoma cells via the overproduction of IGFBP-5.     

Divergent effects of short-term, very-low-calorie diet on insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 serum concentrations in premenopausal women with obesity

Patients who have sustained alcohol-related injuries are frequently treated in departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Often, an alcohol intervention will not be possible in accident and emergency departments due to intoxication but, when attending out-patient clinics for follow-up, patients are usually sober. This presents a unique opportunity for encouraging patients to review their alcohol consumption at a time when their facial injury may make them more receptive to advice. This article reviews the convincing evidence of the effectiveness of advice and brief interventions designed to be incorporated into standard out-patient consultations and describes practical screening of patients for harmful drinking, the Stages of Change Model of behaviour change and motivational interviewing for facilitating behavioural change.     

Regulation by nutrition and age of insulin-like growth factor binding sites in ovine kidney

A combined NMR-molecular dynamics approach has been applied to determine the solution structure of a truncated analogue of the Bombyx mori telomeric d(TTAGG) single repeat sequence in Na+ cation-containing aqueous solution. The two-fold symmetric four-stranded d(TAGG) quadruplex contains two adjacent G(syn).G(syn).G(anti).G(anti) G-tetrads sandwiched between novel (T.A).A triads with individual strands having both a parallel and antiparallel neighbour around the quadruplex. The (T.A).A triad represents the first experimental verification of a base triad alignment which constitutes a key postulate in the recently proposed model of triad-DNA. Further, the (T.A).A triad is generated by positioning an A residue through hydrogen bonding in the minor groove of a Watson-Crick T.A base pair and includes a T-A platform related to an A-A platform recently observed in the structure of the P4-P6 domain of the Tetrahymena self splicing group I ribozyme. The novel architecture of the truncated Bombyx mori quadruplex structure sets the stage for the design and potential identification of additional base tetrads and triads that could participate in pairing alignments of multi-stranded DNA structures during chromosome association and genetic recombination.     

Postoperative induction of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 proteolytic activity: relation to insulin and insulin sensitivity

Increased serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) proteolytic activity (IGFBP-3-PA) has been demonstrated in a number of clinical states of insulin resistance, including severe illness, after surgery, and in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In the present study we assessed the role of insulin sensitivity in expression of IGFBP-3-PA in serum. In 18 patients studied, a significant increase in IGFBP-3-PA (P < 0.005) was demonstrated after colo-rectal surgery. Eight patients receiving an oral glucose load before surgery demonstrated a significant greater relative increase in IGFBP-3-PA compared with 10 patients not receiving glucose (32.9 +/- 7.1% vs. 8.6 +/- 6.7%, respectively; P < 0.05). Both groups had reduced insulin sensitivity after surgery (-58 +/- 4%; P < 0.0001; n = 18), as determined by hyperinsulinemic, normoglycemic clamps; however, the group not receiving glucose displayed 18% less insulin sensitivity than the oral glucose load group (P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the relative changes in IGFBP-3-PA and C peptide levels were inversely correlated (P < 0.05), suggesting that increased IGFBP-3-PA, presumably increasing IGF bioavailability, may be associated with decreased insulin demands. Interestingly, insulin infusion during the 4-h hyperinsulinemic, normoglycemic clamp performed 24 h after surgery (post-op) resulted in a further increase in IGFBP-3-PA in both groups (P < 0.005), whereas no significant responses could be demonstrated during the pre-op clamp. The expression of increased IGFBP-3-PA was accompanied by conversion of endogenous intact 39/42-kDa IGFBP-3 into its 30-kDa fragmented form as determined by Western immunoblotting, and this conversion was virtually complete after the 4-h post-op clamp in patients displaying marked increases in IGFBP-3-PA. Characterization of the IGFBP-3-PA demonstrated that it was specific for IGFBP-3, as no degradation of IGFBP-1 and -2 was detected, and the use of various protease inhibitors demonstrated that serine proteases and possibly matrix metalloproteinases contribute to the increased IGFBP-3-PA level after surgery. We propose that IGF bioavailability may be increased by the induction of IGFBP-3-PA in insulin-resistant subjects, and that insulin regulates IGFBP-3-PA in this state.     

Controlling insulin-like growth factor activity and the modulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein and receptor binding

The insulin-like growth factors (IGF) and insulin perform seemingly unique roles by causing the same metabolic effect: cellular hypertrophy. Although overlapping, there are different consequences to cellular hypertrophy induced by IGF and that induced by insulin. The IGF enhance the cell hypertrophy that is requisite for cell survival, hyperplasia, and differentiation, and insulin enhances cell hypertrophy primarily as a means to increase nutrient stores. The effects of IGF and insulin are controlled by the segregation of their receptors between different cell types. A model is discussed that describes the need for three hormones (IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin) to control nutrient partitioning. Insulin receptor localization, as well as an episodic mode of secretion, evolved to perform the short-term action of clearing excess nutrients from the circulation. In contrast, a complex and interactive set of factors ensure that maximal IGF activity occurs only when conditions are optimal for growth. A relatively invariant rate of secretion and the IGF binding proteins serve to maintain a large mutable pool of IGF. This pool exists to ensure a constant supply of IGF to maintain the basal metabolic rate and to ensure that, once a cell begins to proliferate or differentiate, adequate exposure is available to complete the process even after severe short-term physiological insults. The IGF concentrations only change in response to prolonged differences in protein and energy availabilities, environmental and body temperatures, and external stress. Also, evidence is now emerging that describes a discrete role for trace nutrients in the regulation of IGF activity. In this latter regard, zinc has the notable role of targeting IGF binding proteins to the cell surface. New data are presented showing that zinc also changes the affinity of the type 1 IGF receptor and cell-associated IGF binding proteins to optimize IGF activity.     

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 is overexpressed in senescent and quiescent human fibroblasts

Cellular insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) mRNA and IGFBP-3 levels in conditioned medium were consistently higher in cultures of late passage normal (old) fibroblasts and prematurely senescent fibroblasts derived from Werner syndrome (WS) during quiescence induced by serum depletion and during the renewed growth ensuing after serum repletion, compared to cultures of early passage normal (young) fibroblasts. Molar ratios of IGFBP-3/IGF-II were always higher in senescent cultures and maintained a hierarchy of old > WS > young human diploid fibroblasts. Transfection into fibroblasts of the normal full-length IGFBP-3 cDNA in an expression vector resulted in a significant reduction in colony formation compared to cells transfected with an empty expression vector (no cDNA) or with IGFBP-3 cDNA altered by a 273 base pair (bp) deletion. Addition to old and young cultures of recombinant human IGFBP-3 and IGF-I at 1:1 or 5:1 molar ratios inhibited IGF-I-mediated DNA synthesis by approximately 70-80%. These data indicate that IGFBP-3 may play an important role in the quiescent and senescent growth arrest of HDF.