Key regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis are increased in kidneys of growth hormone receptor knockout (GHRKO) mice

The growth hormone receptor knockout (GHRKO) mice are remarkably long-lived and highly insulin sensitive. Alterations in mitochondrial biogenesis are associated with aging and various metabolic derangements. We have previously demonstrated increased gene expression of key regulators of mitochondriogenesis in kidneys, hearts and skeletal muscles of GHRKO mice. The aim of the present study was to quantify the protein levels of the following regulators of mitochondriogenesis: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α), AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα), phospho-AMPKα (p-AMPKα), sirtuin-3 (SIRT-3), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phospho-eNOS (p-eNOS), nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1) and mitofusin-2 (MFN-2) in skeletal muscles and kidneys of GHRKOs in comparison to normal mice. We also were interested in the effects of calorie restriction (CR) and visceral fat removal (VFR) on these parameters. Both CR and VFR improve insulin sensitivity and can extend life span. Results: The renal levels of PGC-1α, AMPKα, p-AMPKα, SIRT-3, eNOS, p-eNOS and MFN-2 were increased in GHRKOs. In the GHRKO skeletal muscles, only MFN-2 was increased. Levels of the examined proteins were not affected by CR (except for PGC-1α and p-eNOS in skeletal muscles) or VFR. Conclusion: GHRKO mice have increased renal protein levels of key regulators of mitochondriogenesis, and this may contribute to increased longevity of these knockouts.     

Growth hormone modulates hypothalamic inflammation in long‐lived pituitary dwarf mice

Mice in which the genes for growth hormone (GH) or GH receptor (GHR^?/?) are disrupted from conception are dwarfs, possess low levels of IGF‐1 and insulin, have low rates of cancer and diabetes, and are extremely long‐lived. Median longevity is also increased in mice with deletion of hypothalamic GH‐releasing hormone (GHRH), which leads to isolated GH deficiency. The remarkable extension of longevity in hypopituitary Ames dwarf mice can be reversed by a 6‐week course of GH injections started at the age of 2 weeks. Here, we demonstrate that mutations that interfere with GH production or response, in the Snell dwarf, Ames dwarf, or GHR^?/? mice lead to reduced formation of both orexigenic agouti‐related peptide (AgRP) and anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) projections to the main hypothalamic projection areas: the arcuate nucleus (ARH), paraventricular nucleus (PVH), and dorsomedial nucleus (DMH). These mutations also reduce hypothalamic inflammation in 18‐month‐old mice. GH injections, between 2 and 8 weeks of age, reversed both effects in Ames dwarf mice. Disruption of GHR specifically in liver (LiGHRKO), a mutation that reduces circulating IGF‐1 but does not lead to lifespan extension, had no effect on hypothalamic projections or inflammation, suggesting an effect of GH, rather than peripheral IGF‐1, on hypothalamic development. Hypothalamic leptin signaling, as monitored by induction of pStat3, is not impaired by GHR deficiency. Together, these results suggest that early‐life disruption of GH signaling produces long‐term hypothalamic changes that may contribute to the longevity of GH‐deficient and GH‐resistant mice.     

Hypermetabolism in mice caused by the central action of an unliganded thyroid hormone receptor alpha1

Thyroid hormone, via its nuclear receptors TRalpha and TRbeta, controls metabolism by acting locally in peripheral tissues and centrally by regulating sympathetic signaling. We have defined aporeceptor regulation of metabolism by using mice heterozygous for a mutant TRalpha1 with low affinity to T3. The animals were hypermetabolic, showing strongly reduced fat depots, hyperphagia and resistance to diet-induced obesity accompanied by induction of genes involved in glucose handling and fatty acid metabolism in liver and adipose tissues. Increased lipid mobilization and beta-oxidation occurred in adipose tissues, whereas blockade of sympathetic signaling to brown adipose tissue normalized the metabolic phenotype despite a continued perturbed hormone signaling in this cell type. The results define a novel and important role for the TRalpha1 aporeceptor in governing metabolic homeostasis. Furthermore, the data demonstrate that a nuclear hormone receptor affecting sympathetic signaling can override its autonomous effects in peripheral tissues.     

Specific suppression of insulin sensitivity in growth hormone receptor gene‐disrupted (GHR‐KO) mice attenuates phenotypic features of slow aging

In addition to their extended lifespans, slow‐aging growth hormone receptor/binding protein gene‐disrupted (knockout) (GHR‐KO) mice are hypoinsulinemic and highly sensitive to the action of insulin. It has been proposed that this insulin sensitivity is important for their longevity and increased healthspan. We tested whether this insulin sensitivity of the GHR‐KO mouse is necessary for its retarded aging by abrogating that sensitivity with a transgenic alteration that improves development and secretory function of pancreatic β‐cells by expressing Igf‐1 under the rat insulin promoter 1 (RIP::IGF‐1). The RIP::IGF‐1 transgene increased circulating insulin content in GHR‐KO mice, and thusly fully normalized their insulin sensitivity, without affecting the proliferation of any non‐β‐cell cell types. Multiple (nonsurvivorship) longevity‐associated physiological and endocrinological characteristics of these mice (namely beneficial blood glucose regulatory control, altered metabolism, and preservation of memory capabilities) were partially or completely normalized, thus supporting the causal role of insulin sensitivity for the decelerated senescence of GHR‐KO mice. We conclude that a delayed onset and/or decreased pace of aging can be hormonally regulated.     

Bcl‐xL overexpression does not enhance specific erythropoietin productivity of recombinant CHO cells grown at 33°C and 37°C

Overexpression of bcl‐xL in recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cells has been known to suppress apoptotic cell death and thereby extend culture longevity during batch culture. However, its effect on specific productivity (q) of rCHO cells is controversial. This study attempts to investigate the effect of bcl‐xL overexpression on q of rCHO cells producing erythropoietin (EPO). To regulate the bcl‐xL expression level, the Tet‐off system was introduced in rCHO cells producing EPO (EPO‐off‐bcl‐xL). The bcl‐xL expression level was tightly controlled by doxycycline concentration. To evaluate the effect of bcl‐xL overexpression on specific EPO productivity (q_EPO) at different levels, EPO‐off‐bcl‐xL cells were cultivated at the two different culture temperatures, 33°C and 37°C. The q_EPO at 33°C and 37°C in the presence of 100 ng/mL doxycycline (without bcl‐xL overexpression) were 4.89 ± 0.21 and 3.18 ± 0.06 μg/10⁶cells/day, respectively. In the absence of doxycycline, bcl‐xL overexpression did not affect q_EPO significantly, regardless of the culture temperature, though it extended the culture longevity. Taken together, bcl‐xL overexpression showed no significant effect on the q_EPO of rCHO cells grown at 33°C and 37°C. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009     

Fibroblasts derived from long‐lived insulin receptor substrate 1 null mice are not resistant to multiple forms of stress

Reduced signalling through the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signalling (IIS) pathway is a highly conserved lifespan determinant in model organisms. The precise mechanism underlying the effects of the IIS on lifespan and health is currently unclear, although cellular stress resistance may be important. We have previously demonstrated that mice globally lacking insulin receptor substrate 1 (Irs1^−/−) are long-lived and enjoy a greater period of their life free from age-related pathology compared with wild-type (WT) controls. In this study, we show that primary dermal fibroblasts and primary myoblasts derived from Irs1^−/− mice are no more resistant to a range of oxidant and nonoxidant chemical stressors than cells derived from WT mice.     

Coronary vasoconstrictor effect of ghrelin is not mediated by growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a type in dogs

Ghrelin (GHR) is a recently discovered endocrine regulatory peptide of gastrointestinal origin with multiple functions including cardiovascular effects. However, contradictory data are available on the vascular actions of GHR in different organs and species. The aim of this study was to characterize the direct effect of the peptide on the canine coronary bed and to evaluate the role of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) in the effect of GHR on coronary arterioles. The presence of GHS-R1a and 1b subtypes in canine coronary arterioles was investigated using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Responses of coronary arterioles with spontaneous and elevated vascular tone (the latter evoked by the thromboxane mimetic agent U46619, 10⁻⁷-10⁻⁶ mol/l) to GHR (10⁻⁹-3 × 10⁻⁷ nmol/l) were recorded by video-microscopy as changes of vessel diameter. Positive immunostaining for both GHS-R subtypes was found in the wall of intramural arterioles. The microarteriographic study results showed that GHR alone could not elicit any significant effect on vessel diameter of arterioles with spontaneous tone. However, when vascular smooth muscle was preconstricted by the thromboxane mimetic agent U46619, administration of GHR induced further constriction (+31 ± 9% increase in contraction p < 0.01). This was not abolished by the specific blockade of GHS-R1a by d-Lys³-GHRP-6 (5 × 10⁻⁶ mol/l). The results suggest that GHR induces tone-dependent constriction of canine coronary arterioles which is mediated by a receptor other than GHS-R1a.     

Detection of recombinant growth hormone by evanescent cascaded waveguide coupler on silica‐on‐silicon

An evanescent wave based biosensor is developed on the silica‐on‐silicon (SOS) with a cascaded waveguide coupler for the detection of recombinant growth hormone. So far, U ‐bends and tapered waveguides are demonstrated for increasing the penetration depth and enhancing sensitivity of the evanescent wave sensor. In this work, a monolithically integrated sensor platform containing a cascaded waveguide coupler with optical power splitters and combiners designed with S ‐bends and tapper waveguides is demonstrated for an enhanced detection of recombinant growth hormone. In the cascaded waveguide coupler, a large surface area to bind the antibody with increased penetration depth of evanescent wave to excite the tagged‐rbST is obtained by splitting the waveguide into multiple paths using Y splitters designed with s ‐bends and subsequently combining them back to a single waveguide through tapered waveguide and combiners. Hence a highly sensitive fluoroimmunoassay sensor is realized. Using the 2D FDTD (Finite‐difference time‐domain method) simulation of waveguide with a point source in Rsoft FullWAVE, the fluorescence coupling efficiency of straight and bend section of waveguide is analyzed. The sensor is demonstrated for the detection of fluorescently‐tagged recombinant growth hormone with the detection limit as low as 25 ng/ml. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The lipid composition of mitochondrial outer and inner membranes from the brains of goldfish acclimated at 5 and 30°C

1. 1.|The mitochondrial outer membrane from goldfish contains on average approximately six times more phosholipid and eleven times more cholesterol than the inner membrane.

2. 2.|When acclimation temperature was lowered the amount of cholesterol to protein significantly decreased in the outer membrane, but remained unchanged in the inner membrane.

3. 3.|Although the amount of total phosphorus to cholesterol was not temperature dependent for inner membrane, it was found to be negatively correlated (P < 0.001) with acclimation temperature for outer membrane.

4. 4.|It is concluded that fluidity in the mitochondrial outer membrane is regulated by cholesterol whereas in the inner membrane, which contain very low quantities of this lipid, cholesterol has little or no influence on the fluidity properties.

Metabolism of hydrogen peroxide between diapause and non‐diapause eggs of the silkworm,Bombyx Mori during chilling at 5°C

When diapause and non‐diapause eggs of the same bivoltine strain of Bombyx mori were chilled at 5°C for more than 30 days, the hatchability of diapause eggs increased while that of non‐diapause eggs decreased, respectively. To investigate the relationship between effects of chilling on the hatchability and the metabolism of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), content of H₂O₂ and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), xanthine oxidase (XO), and catalase (CAT) between diapause and non‐diapause eggs were determined during the chilling at 5°C. The significant enhancement of H₂O₂ occurred prior to the quick increase of the hatchability in diapause eggs and coincided with the quick decline of the hatchability in non‐diapause eggs, respectively. Diapause eggs contained significantly higher H₂O₂ and XO activity and lower CAT activity compared to non‐diapause eggs. Our results showed that there were significant differences in the metabolism of H₂O₂ between diapause and non‐diapause eggs during chilling and that significant enhancement of H₂O₂ may be involved in the diapause termination of diapause eggs and the cell damage of non‐diapause eggs. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor signaling induced by supraphysiological doses of IGF‐1 in human peripheral blood lymphocytes

Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) mediates some of growth hormone anabolic functions through its receptor, IGF‐1R. Following ligand binding, intracellular signaling pathways are activated favouring proliferation, cell survival, tissue growth, development, and differentiation. IGF‐1 is included in the World Anti‐Doping Agency Prohibited List. While the evidence for IGF‐1 as performance‐enhancing substrate in healthy humans is still weak, clinical studies demonstrated that the endogenous growth hormone/IGF‐1 excess is associated with cardiovascular implications. Previously, we demonstrated that human peripheral blood lymphocytes represent a suitable system to identify a gene signature, related to dihydrotestosterone or IGF‐1 abuse, independent from the type of sport. In addition, in a proteomic study, we demonstrated that dihydrotestosterone hyperdosage affects cell motility and apoptosis. Here, we investigate the doping action of IGF‐1 by means of a differential proteomic approach and specific protein arrays, revealing an active cytoskeletal reorganization mediated by Stat‐1; moreover, IGF‐1 stimulation produces a sustained activation of different signaling pathways as well as an overproduction of cytokines positively related to immune response and inflammation. In conclusion, these data indicate that, following IGF‐1 hyperdosage, circulating peripheral blood lymphocytes could be more prone to transendothelial migration.     

Inhibition of human tumor xenograft growth in nude mice by a conjugate of monoclonal antibody LA22 to epidermal growth factor receptor with anti-tumor antibiotics mitomycin C

Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies LA22 and Erbitux bind to different epitopes of EGFR. The chemimmunoconjugates of MMC with LA22 or Erbitux were prepared, and in vitro cytotoxicity assays with A549 cells showed that LA22-MMC was much more potent than Erbitux or Erbitux-MMC. Viabilities of A549 cells treated with LA22-MMC, Erbitux or Erbitux-MMC were 35%, 94%, and 81%, respectively. Immunoscintigraphy of xenografts of human A431 and A549 cells in nude mice both showed that (125)I-labeled-LA22-MMC enriched in tumor sites prominently. Most importantly, in vivo assays showed LA22-MMC was significantly more effective than free drug MMC in the treatment of subcutaneous xenografts of human A431 cells in nude mice (83% inhibition for LA22-MMC and 30% for MMC). We concluded that LA22-MMC could be a very potent drug for treatment of solid tumors.     

Countering Voltage Decay and Capacity Fading of Lithium‐Rich Cathode Material at 60 °C by Hybrid Surface Protection Layers

Li‐rich layered metal oxides have attracted much attention for their high energy density but still endure severe capacity fading and voltage decay during cycling, especially at elevated temperature. Here, facile surface treatment of Li_1.17Ni_0.17Co_0.17Mn_0.5O₂ (0.4Li₂MnO₃·0.6LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂) spherical cathode material is designed to address these drawbacks by hybrid surface protection layers composed of Mg²⁺ pillar and Li‐Mg‐PO₄ layer. As a result, the surface coated Li‐rich cathode material exhibits much enhanced cycling stability at 60 °C, maintaining 72.6% capacity retention (180 mAh g^?1) between 3.0 and 4.7 V after 250 cycles. More importantly, 88.7% average discharge voltage retention can be obtained after the rigorous cycle test. The strategy developed here with novel hydrid surface protection effect can provide a vital approach to inhibit the undesired side reactions and structural deterioration of Li‐rich cathode materials and may also be useful for other layered oxides to increase their cycling stability at elevated temperature.     

Targeted ablation of gonadotrophs in transgenic mice depresses prolactin but not growth hormone gene expression at birth as measured by quantitative mRNA detection

We previously reported that transgenic ablation of gonadotrophs results in impaired development of cells immunostainable for prolactin (PRL) but not of cells immunostainable for growth hormone (GH) or proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in pituitary of newborn mice. The question remained whether this reduction in PRL protein is a reflection of reduced PRL mRNA expression, or whether this regulation is only situated at the translational level. We therefore generated a new series of transgenic mice in which gonadotrophs were ablated by diphtheria toxin A targeting, and analyzed hormone mRNA levels instead of hormone protein around the day of birth. Pituitary mRNA expression levels of luteinizing hormone- (LH), PRL and GH were quantified using real-time TaqMan RT-PCR. Of the 13 transgenic mice obtained, 8 showed a clear-cut reduction (ranging from 62 to 98%) in LH mRNA levels. PRL mRNA values were significantly reduced in the transgenic mice (p=0.0034), while GH mRNA expression was unaffected (p=0.93). An additional observation was that female newborn mice produce 5 times more LH mRNA than male mice whereas no sex difference was observed for expression levels of PRL and GH mRNA. Moreover, in the wild-type mice, LH mRNA expression was 20-fold higher than GH mRNA expression which in turn was 500- to 1,000-fold higher than PRL mRNA expression, suggesting a low expression level of the PRL gene at birth. In conclusion, the present data support the hypothesis that embryonic development of PRL gene expression is stimulated by gonadotrophs.     

Regulation of insulin resistance by targeting the insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor with microRNA‐122‐5p in hepatic cells

Insulin resistance (IR) is a common etiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D) defined by a state of decreased reactivity to insulin in multiple organs, such as the liver. This study aims to investigate how microRNA‐122‐5p (miR‐122) regulates the hepatic IR in vitro. We first found that the miR‐122 level was upregulated in the liver of rats fed with a high‐fat diet and injected with streptozotocin (T2D rats), while the expression level of insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF‐1R), a potential target of miR‐122, was downregulated in the diabetic liver. In vitro, glucosamine‐induced IR was introduced in HepG2 hepatic cells, and the levels of miR‐122 and IGF‐1R were further assessed. An increase of miR‐122 level and a decrease of IGF‐IR level were observed in IR hepatic cells, which was the same as that in the diabetic liver. Results of the luciferase reporter assay validated IGF‐1R as a direct target of miR‐122. Moreover, in IR HepG2 cells, antagonizing miR‐122 with its specific inhibitor enhanced glucose uptake and suppressed the expression of glucose 6‐phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, two key enzymes in regulating gluconeogenesis. Such alterations induced by the miR‐122 inhibitor in IR hepatic cells were impaired when IGF‐1R was simultaneously knocked down. In addition, the PI3K/Akt pathway was deactivated in IR cells, and then reactivated with miR‐122 inhibitor transfection. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that miR‐122 is able to regulate IR in hepatic cells by targeting IGF‐1R.     

Role of Smad3, acting independently of transforming growth factor‐β, in the early induction of Wnt‐β‐catenin signaling by parathyroid hormone in mouse osteoblastic cells

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) exerts an anabolic action on bone but the mechanisms are incompletely understood. We showed previously that PTH interacts with the canonical Wnt‐β‐catenin signaling pathway via the transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β signaling molecule, Smad3, to modulate osteoblast differentiation and apoptosis. Here, we examined which actions of Smad3 are TGF‐β‐independent in stimulating the osteoblast phenotype and PTH‐induced Wnt‐β‐catenin signaling. For this, the TGF‐β receptor type 1 [activin receptor‐like kinase (ALK5)] inhibitor (SB431542), and a Smad3 mutant in which the site normally phosphorylated by ALK5 is mutated from SSVS to AAVA, was used. PTH induced total β‐catenin and reduced phosphorylated β‐catenin levels at 1, 6, and 24 h in mouse osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells. Transient transfection of Smad3AAVA inhibited the PTH induction of total β‐catenin and reduction of phosphorylated β‐catenin levels at 6 and 24 h, but not at 1 h, indicating that the early effects occur independently of TGF‐β receptor signaling. On the other hand, MC3T3‐E1 cell clones in which Smad3AAVA was stably expressed demonstrated elevated β‐catenin levels, although alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization were unaltered. In contrast, MC3T3‐E1 cell clones in which wild‐type Smad3 was stably expressed exhibited increased ALP activity and mineralization that were decreased by the ALK5 inhibitor, SB431542, although the β‐catenin levels induced in these cells were not modulated. In conclusion, the present study indicates that PTH induces osteoblast β‐catenin levels via Smad3 independently of, and dependently on, TGF‐β in the early and later induction phases, respectively. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 285–294, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.