Effects of dexamethasone on the production of insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.

The effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-1 production were investigated in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Dex enhanced the secretion of IGFBP-1 as measured by ligand blot analysis but did not show any prominent effect on immunoreactive IGF-I secretion. EC50 of Dex on IGFBP-1 secretion was calculated to be 3 x 10(-8) M. The content of IGFBP-1 mRNA in the cells increased greatly in the presence of Dex but the IGF-I mRNA content did not change significantly under the same conditions. Insulin showed the opposite effect of Dex by decreasing the production of IGFBP-1 and the cellular content of IGFBP-1 mRNA. This effect of insulin was observed also with Dex in the medium. These results show that the gene expression of IGF-I and IGFBP-1 is differently regulated by glucocorticoids and insulin in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. The results most possibly explain the in vivo effects of glucocorticoids and insulin in regulation of IGF-I and IGFBP-1 production by liver.     

Production of Insulin-like Growth Factors and Their Binding Proteins in Primary Cultures of Rat Liver Parenchymal and Nonparenchymal Cells

Regulation of the production of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), and their related proteins by various hormones was investigated in primary cultures of rat liver parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells.

Freshly isolated parenchymal cells contained mRNAs of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-4, growth hormone (GH) receptor, and the acid-labile subunit (ALS), which forms a ternary complex with IGF-I and IGFBP-3; however, parenchymal cells did not express the IGFBP-3 gene. In contrast, nonparenchymal cells contained IGFBP-3 mRNA exclusively, as we reported previously [Takenaka et al. Agric. Biol. Chem., 55, 1191–1193 (1991)]. Cultured rat parenchymal cells produced IGF-I, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-4 prominently. In these cells, secretion of IGF-I and the content of IGF-I mRNA was greatly increased in the presence of GH in the medium. Insulin also increased the production of IGF-I. Secretion of IGFBP-l into the medium was enhanced by treatment with glucagon, dibutyrylcyclic AMP (Bu₂cAMP), and dexamethasone (Dex) and these enhancements with glucagon and Dex reflected the increase in its mRNA content. Insulin depressed the secretion of IGFBP-l. The content of IGFBP-4 in the parenchymal cells was increased by insulin, Bu₂cAMP, and triiodothyronine (T₃), thereby enhancing the production of IGFBP-4 and secretion into the medium. Cultured liver nonparenchymal cells of rats produced IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-4. Secretion of IGFBP-l was increased by Bu₂cAMP in the medium, that of IGFBP-3 by IGF-I, and that of IGFBP-4 by both IGF-I and Bu2cAMP. Regulation of the production of IGFBP-3 by IGF-I was demonstrated in these investigations.

These results suggest that GH increases production of IGF-I in the parenchymal cells and this IGF-I, in turn, increases the production of IGFBP-3 in nonparenchymal cells. As we found GH also increases ALS production in parenchymal cells, by these mechanisms, GH increases the formation of the ternary complex of IGF-I, IGFBP-3, and ALS. This study clearly demonstrates the interrelationship between parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells in the production of IGF-I and IGFBPs in the liver.     

Role for cyclic adenosine monophosphate in modulating insulin-like growth factor binding protein secretion by muscle cells

The modulation of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP) secretion is an important variable affecting muscle cell metabolism, proliferation, and differentiation. We have previously shown that secretion of IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 by L6 and BC₃H-1 muscle cells was stimulated by treatment with either insulin, IGF-I, or IGF-II. Herein, these cells were used to further identify mechanisms involved in controlling IGFBP secretion. Agents that elevate intracellular cAMP concentrations (dcAMP, forskolin, isoproterenol, and prostaglandin [PGE₁]) increase secretion of IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 from L6 cells. Similar increases in IGFBP secretion were found by treatment with either insulin, IGF-I, or dcAMP. The effects of dcAMP and either insulin or IGF-I were additive, but the effects of insulin and IGF-I were not additive. These results suggest that insulin/IGF-I and dcAMP are acting via distinct mechanisms to stimulate IGFBP secretion. Indomethacin, which blocks endogenous prostaglandin synthesis, and progesterone, which decreases intracellular cAMP levels, decreased IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 secretion. IGFBP-5 secretion by BC₃H-1 cells was increased by either insulin or IGF-I. Agents which elevate intracellular cAMP concentrations did not increase IGFBP-5 secretion. Additionally, these agents were not synergistic with either insulin or IGF-I. However, indomethacin and progesterone depressed IGFBP-5 secretion by BC₃H-1 cells. In summary, there appear to be at least two intracellular signaling mechanisms controlling IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 secretion by L6 and BC₃H-1 muscle cells. IGFBP secretion by L6 cells is stimulated by both insulin/IGF-I and cAMP-dependent pathways, whereas IGFBP-5 secretion by BC₃H-1 cells is stimulated only by the insulin/IGF pathway. IGFBP secretion by both cell lines can be decreased by agents which depress cAMP levels. Our results suggest that two divergent but synergistic pathways modulate IGFBP production and these mechanisms can potentially modulate IGF activity during muscle cell proliferation and differentiation. J. Cell. Physiol. 174:293–300, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effect of Mild Hypoinsulinemia on Renal Hypertrophy: Growth Hormone/Insulin-Like Growth Factor I System in Mild Streptozotocin Diabetes

The metabolic aberrations associated with diabetes mellitus profoundly alter the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor I (GH/IGF-I) system. In severe experimental diabetes, serum IGF-I level is reduced, reflecting altered hepatic expression. On the other hand, increased levels of kidney IGF-I have been implicated in the development of diabetic kidney disease. This study aimed to examine the effect of mild experimental diabetes with hypoinsulinemia on both the systemic and renal GH/IGF-I systems in a low-dose streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat. Diabetic animals with mild hypoinsulinemia developed renal hyperfiltration within 3 days of diabetes, whereas the renal size increased significantly only between 30 and 48 days of diabetes. Plasma GHlevels were unchanged during the entire course of the study, but a decrease in serum IGF-I, IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), and IGF-binding protein 4 (IGFBP-4) occurred after 10, 30, and 48 days. Kidney IGF-I and IGF-binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) mRNA expression increased after 10 and 30 days of diabetes. A significant increase in kidney IGFBP-1/2, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-4 proteins was seen after 48 days of diabetes.Apositive correlations was found between renal growth and insulin/glucose ratio (r = .57), kidney IGF-I (r = .57), IGFBP-1 mRNA(r = .43), IGFBP-1/2 (r = .41), and IGFBP-4 levels (r = .40). These results demonstrate hyperfiltration within 3 days of diabetes and a similar response in the IGF-I system in mildly and severely hypoinsulinemic rats; however, renomegaly develops slower in mildly diabetic rats at least partly due to delayed changes in the renal IGF and IGF BPs.     

Factors regulating insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 secretion from human hepatoma (HepG2) cells

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) is a growth hormone (GH) dependent carrier of the IGFs in human serum. Apart from GH regulation the hormonal control of IGFBP-3 production is not well established and although the liver is considered to be the main source of circulating IGFBP-3, there are no in vitro studies of the effect of both insulin and IGFs on the IGFBP-3 produced in human hepatoma cells. The effect of sex hormones as well as cortisol has not been studied. To elucidate this we performed cell culture studies on HepG2 cells in the presence of various effectors. Insulin, IGF-I and IGF-II brought about a 1.5-2-fold enhancement of IGFBP-3 release at 7.5-30 nM concentrations. In contrast, cortisol decreased IGFBP-3 secretion by 30-40% whereas estradiol, tamoxifen and testosterone had no effect at physiological concentrations. We conclude that, in addition to GH, also insulin, IGF-I and IGF-II and glucocorticoids can modulate IGFBP-3 secretion by human hepatoma cells.     

Regulation of insulin-like growth factors I and II and their binding proteins in human bone marrow stromal cells by dexamethasone

Glucocorticoids inhibit the proliferation, but induce the differentiation, of bone marrow stromal cells into osteoblast-like cells. The mechanisms, however, are still conjectural. Since insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) have profound effects on osteoblast growth and differentiation, it is possible that glucocorticoids exert their effects on bone marrow stromal cells in part via regulation of IGFs. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on the expression of IGF I and IGF II in cultured preosteoblastic normal human bone marrow stromal cells (HBMSC). Whereas Dex decreased the concentration of IGF I in the conditioned medium since early in the treatment, the concentration of IGF II was increased progressively as culture period lengthened. As the activities of IGF I and IGF II are regulated by the IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), we analyzed the effects of Dex on the expression of IGFBPs. Dex increased IGFBP-2 in a time-dependent manner. The increase in IGFBP-2, however, was only to the same extent as that of IGF II at most, depending on the length of treatment. Therefore, the increase in IGFBP-2 would dampen, but not eliminate, the increased IGF II activities. By contrast, Dex decreased IGFBP-3 levels, the latter increasing the bioavailability of IGF II. Although IGFBP-4 mRNA levels were stimulated by Dex, IGFBP-4 concentration in the conditioned medium was unchanged as measured by RIA. IGFBP-5 and IGFBP-6 mRNA levels were decreased by Dex in a time-dependent fashion. IGFBP-5 protein level was also decreased 1–4 days after Dex treatment. IGFBP-1 mRNA was not detectable in HBMSC. These accumulated data indicate that Dex regulates IGF I and IGF II and their binding proteins differentially in normal human bone marrow stromal cells. The progressive increase in IGF II may contribute to Dex-induced cell differentiation. J. Cell. Biochem. 71:449–458, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Stimulatory effect of a phorbol ester on expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-2 and level of IGF-I receptors in mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

We examined the relationship between signal transduction and the expression of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), IGF-I receptor level, and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) in murine clonal osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. 12–O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C, decreased the secretion of immunoreactive IGF-I into the medium, whereas dibutyryl cAMP (Bt₂cAMP) augmented the secretion In contrast, TPA increased the level of type IIGF receptor on the cells. Furthermore, MC3T3-E1 cells produced and secreted at least three different IGFBPs with molecular masses of 24, 30, and 34 kDa, and the 24-kDa IGFBP was predominant under normal conditions. However, TPA specifically increased the secretion of the 34-kDa IGFBP. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified 34-kDa IGFBP was nearly identical with that of rat IGFBP-2. Furthermore, the 34-kDa IGFBP was immunoreactive to anti-IGFBP-2 antiserum. The level of IGFBP-2 mRNA in the cells was increased by TPA, indicating that the increase in IGFBP-2 secretion results from the stimulation of IGFBP-2 production. In contrast, Bt₂cAMP affected neither IGF-l receptor number nor the IGFBP secretion. These results indicate that the production of IGF-l and the expression of IGF-l receptors and IGFBP-2 are up-regulated by the activation of adenylate cyclase and protein kinase C, respectively, in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. © 1994 Willey-Liss, Inc.     

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and -II and IGFBP secretion by ovine satellite cell strains grown alone or in coculture with 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Summary The current study was designed to examine the effects of muscle and fat stem cell coculture on the secretion of insulinlike growth factor (IGF)-I and -II and IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) by these cells. Two sheep satellite cell strains with negligible or high potential for differentiation (10A and 0₁, respectively) were placed in coculture with 3T3-L1 preadipocytes using a filter support to separate the two cell types. Media conditioned by the cells grown alone or in coculture were analyzed for IGFs by RIA or IGFBPs by ligand blotting. The numbers of satellite cells and preadipocytes declined throughout the 5-d culture period, although coculture slowed the 3T3-L1 decline but hastened the satellite cell decline. The satellite cell strains and 3T3-L1 cells secreted small amounts of IGF-I (≤2 ng/ml) and IGF-II (<10 ng/ml) over the 5-d culture period. Coculture did not increase the amount of IGF-I and -II in conditioned media. The lowly differentiating 10A cells secreted barely detectable amounts of the low molecular weight IGFBP-3 subunit (34 kDa), IGFBP-2 (28 kDa), and IGFBP-4 (18 kDa). Coculture of 10A and 3T3-L1 cells potentiated secretion of IGFBP-2 and-3. Strain 0₁, which readily differentiates, secreted high levels of both IGFBP-3 subunits (34 and 39 kDa) and IGFBP-2 (28 kDa), as well as significant amounts of the 18 kDa IGFBP-4. Coculture did not alter IGFBP secretion of 0₁ cells. This study showed that while IGF-I and -II levels in media conditioned by sheep satellite cell strains are low and relatively invariant, the intensity and complexity of IGFBP patterns increases with time in culture and with the potential for differentiation of the satellite cell strains. Coculture with preadipocytes appeared to potentiate IGFBP secretion while reducing satellite cell viability.     

Regulation of the components of the 150 kDa IGF binding protein complex in cocultures of rat hepatocytes and Kupffer cells by 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate

In the circulation, most of IGFs are bound to a high molecular mass complex of 150 kDa that consists of IGF-I (or IGF-II), IGFBP-3 and the acid-labile subunit (ALS). Within rat liver, biosynthesis of these components has been localized to different cell populations with hepatocytes as source of ALS and nonparenchymal cells (endothelial and Kupffer cells (KC)) as source of IGFBP-3. In the present study, the regulatory effects of the cAMP analogs dibutyryl-cAMP (db-cAMP) and 8-bromo-cAMP (8-br-cAMP) on IGF-I, ALS, and IGFBP expression were evaluated in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes, KC as well as in cocultures of hepatocytes and KC. In cocultures, biosynthesis of IGFBP-3 and ALS was inhibited dose-dependently by db-cAMP and 8-br-cAMP while that of IGF-I, IGFBP-1, and -4 was stimulated as demonstrated by ligand and Northern blotting. IGFBP-3 expression in primary cultures of pure KC did not respond to cAMP treatment indicating the importance of a cellular interaction between KC and hepatocytes for the decreased IGFBP-3 synthesis. The inhibition of IGFBP-3 in db-cAMP-treated cocultures was due to a decrease of IGFBP-3 mRNA level accompanied by a reduced cellular degradation of IGFBP-3. We conclude that cAMP stimulate the biosynthesis of IGF-I, IGFBP-1, and -4 in cocultures of hepatocytes and KC thereby enabling the formation of binary IGF/IGFBP complexes while the formation of the 150 kDa complex is impaired through downregulation of IGFBP-3 and ALS. This complex regulation may be a prerequisite for the effects of cAMP-dependent hormones on the transfer of IGFs from circulation to peripheral tissues.     

Role of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in the differentiation of primary human adult skeletal myoblasts

Although muscle satellite cells were identified almost 40 years ago, little is known about the induction of their proliferation and differentiation in response to physiological/pathological stimuli or to growth factors/cytokines. In order to investigate the role of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)/IGF binding protein (IGFBP) system in adult human myoblast differentiation we have developed a primary human skeletal muscle cell model. We show that under low serum media (LSM) differentiating conditions, the cells secrete IGF binding proteins-2, -3, -4 and -5. Intact IGFBP-5 was detected at days 1 and 2 but by day 7 in LSM it was removed by proteolysis. IGFBP-4 levels were also decreased at day 7 in the presence of IGF-I, potentially by proteolysis. In contrast, we observed that IGFBP-3 initially decreased on transfer of cells into LSM but then increased with myotube formation. Treatment with 20 ng/ml tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), which inhibits myoblast differentiation, blocked IGFBP-3 production and secretion whereas 30 ng/ml IGF-I, which stimulates myoblast differentiation, increased IGFBP-3 secretion. The TNFalpha-induced decrease in IGFBP-3 production and inhibition of differentiation could not be rescued by addition of IGF-I. LongR(3)IGF-I, which does not bind to the IGFBPs, had a similar effect on differentiation and IGFBP-3 secretion as IGF-I, both with and without TNFalpha, confirming that increased IGFBP-3 is not purely due to increased stability conferred by binding to IGF-I. Furthermore reduction of IGFBP-3 secretion using antisense oligonucleotides led to an inhibition of differentiation. Taken together these data indicate that IGFBP-3 supports myoblast differentiation.     

Glutamine Stimulates Biosynthesis and Secretion of Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2), an Autocrine Regulator of Beta Cell Mass and Function

IGF2 is an autocrine ligand for the beta cell IGF1R receptor and GLP-1 increases the activity of this autocrine loop by enhancing IGF1R expression, a mechanism that mediates the trophic effects of GLP-1 on beta cell mass and function. Here, we investigated the regulation of IGF2 biosynthesis and secretion. We showed that glutamine rapidly and strongly induced IGF2 mRNA translation using reporter constructs transduced in MIN6 cells and primary islet cells. This was followed by rapid secretion of IGF2 via the regulated pathway, as revealed by the presence of mature IGF2 in insulin granule fractions and by inhibition of secretion by nimodipine and diazoxide. When maximally stimulated by glutamine, the amount of secreted IGF2 rapidly exceeded its initial intracellular pool and tolbutamide, and high K⁺ increased IGF2 secretion only marginally. This indicates that the intracellular pool of IGF2 is small and that sustained secretion requires de novo synthesis. The stimulatory effect of glutamine necessitates its metabolism but not mTOR activation. Finally, exposure of insulinomas or beta cells to glutamine induced Akt phosphorylation, an effect that was dependent on IGF2 secretion, and reduced cytokine-induced apoptosis. Thus, glutamine controls the activity of the beta cell IGF2/IGF1R autocrine loop by increasing the biosynthesis and secretion of IGF2. This autocrine loop can thus integrate changes in feeding and metabolic state to adapt beta cell mass and function.     

Effect of follicle size on in vitro production of steroids and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I,IGF-II,and the IGF-binding proteins by equine ovarian granulosa cells

Little is known regarding the hormonal regulation of granulosa cell steroidogenesis and the ovarian insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in the mare. The objectives of this study were to determine, first, if estradiol, insulin, and/or FSH affect steroid production by equine granulosa cells (experiment 1) and, second, if the components of the IGF system are produced by equine granulosa cells in culture as well as whether estradiol, insulin, and/or FSH affects IGF and/or IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) production by equine granulosa cells (experiment 2). Granulosa cells from small (6-15 mm), medium (16-25 mm), and large (25-48 mm) follicles were collected from cyclic mares (n = 14), cultured for 2 days in medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, washed, and then treated for an additional 2 days in serum-free medium with or without added hormones. In experiment 1, large-follicle granulosa cells produced less progesterone and more estradiol than did medium- and/or small-follicle granulosa cells (P < 0.05). Progesterone production was inhibited (P < 0.05) by FSH and insulin in small- and medium- but not in large-follicle granulosa cells; estradiol was without effect. Insulin increased (P < 0.05) estradiol production in small- and medium-follicle granulosa cells but had no effect in large-follicle granulosa cells. In experiment 2, IGF-I production was inhibited (P < 0.05) by insulin across all follicle sizes but was not affected by estradiol or FSH. Granulosa cells of medium and large follicles produced more IGF-II than did granulosa cells of small follicles (P < 0.05). Insulin and FSH inhibited (P < 0.05) IGF-II production by granulosa cells of large and medium but not of small follicles; estradiol was without effect. Only IGFBP-2 and -5 were produced by equine granulosa cells. Production of IGFBP-2 was less (P < 0.10) in granulosa cells of large versus those of small and medium follicles, whereas medium-follicle granulosa cells produced more (P < 0.05) IGFBP-5 than did small- or large-follicle granulosa cells. Averaged across follicle sizes, estradiol increased (P < 0.05) IGFBP-2 production, FSH increased (P < 0.10) IGFBP-2 and -5 production, and insulin was without effect. These results indicate that IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-5 are produced by equine granulosa cells and that insulin, FSH, and estradiol play a role in the regulation of steroidogenesis and the IGF system of equine granulosa cells.