Abstract
Introduction Growth hormone, besides being essential for post-natal growth in mammals, affects the metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrates. At cellular level, the pleiotropic actions of growth hormone are due to its interaction with growth hormone receptor, followed by activation of the janus kinase 2–signal transducers and activators of transcription signalling cascade. The effects of growth hormone have been most intensely investigated in tissues such as liver, bone, muscle and adipocytes, in which growth hormone receptor expression is abundant, and are thus considered canonical targets of growth hormone action. However, recent studies on biological effects and physiological relevance of growth hormone action in non-canonical targets such as blastocysts, cardiomyocytes, colonic epithelium, glomerular podocytes and macrophages argue the importance of non-growth-related functions of growth hormone. In this review, we discuss immunomodulatory and metabolic effects of growth hormone on the macrophages. This review also highlights the role of growth hormone on macrophage migration, alternative activation and paracrine effect on adipocyte differentiation. Conclusion As we expand our knowledge about the role of growth hormone on regulating the components of immune system and metabolism, it may be possible to exploit the new information to enhance host resistance to infection, improve sensitivity to insulin and prevent atherosclerosis in conditions such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, short bowel syndrome, Prader-Willi and lipodystrophy syndromes.
Highlights
Growth hormone, besides being essential for post-natal growth in mammals, affects the metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrates
As we expand our knowledge about the role of growth hormone on regulating the components of immune system and metabolism, it may be possible to exploit the new information to enhance host resistance to infection, improve sensitivity to insulin and prevent atherosclerosis in conditions such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, short bowel syndrome, Prader-Willi and lipodystrophy syndromes
The growth hormone (GH)-N gene encodes the predominant form of GH that is secreted from the pituitary gland, while GH-V encodes a variant of the hormone, which is expressed by the human placenta
Summary
The dogma is that major actions of GH are restricted to bone, muscle and adipose tissue. GH has been shown to augment immunity, wound healing, regulate inflammation, insulin sensitivity and mediate metabolic homoeostasis via its endocrine/paracrine action on MΦs. These findings directly impact our understanding of the role of GH in conditions such as adult GH deficiency and Prader-Willi syndrome, in which therapeutic role(s)for the metabolic actions of GH are being evaluated. As we expand our knowledge about the role of GH in regulating the immune system and metabolism, it may be possible to exploit the benefits of GH to enhance host resistance to infection, improve sen-. Sitivity to insulin and prevent atherosclerosis in conditions such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, short-bowel syndrome, Prader-Willi and lipodystrophy syndromes. Abbreviations list GH, growth hormone; GHR, growth hormone receptor; HFD, high-fat diet; IGF, insulin-like growth factor; IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin; JAK2, janus kinase 2; LPL, lipoprotein lipase; MΦ, macrophage; OPN, osteopontin; PMN, polymorphonuclear neutrophil; rGH, recombinant growth hormone; SOCS, suppressors of cytokine signalling; STAT, signal transducers and activators of transcription; TNF, tumour necrosis factor
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