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.