Alpha IR-3 Research Articles

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) dependent phosphorylation of the IGF-I receptor in MG-63 cells

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) stimulates multiplication of the human osteosarcoma cell line, MG-63. by acting through the IGF-I receptor. We have characterized IGF-I stimulated phosphorylation of the IGF-I receptor in this cell line. Serum starved MG-63 cells were metabolically labeled with [32P]orthophosphoric acid and the cells were treated with IGF-I. Phosphotyrosine containing proteins were immunoprecipitated from the cell lysates with antiphosphotyrosine-Agarose and eluted with phenyl phosphate. Further immunoprecipitation with IGF-I receptor monoclonal antibodies (alpha IR-3, 18E9) and analysis by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography demonstrated IGF-I dependent autophosphorylation of the IGF-I receptor. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the IGF-I receptor beta subunit and the observation that antiphosphotyrosine-Agarose did not immunoprecipitate [35S]methionine-labeled receptor from unstimulated cells, demonstrated that in the absence of IGF-I, the receptor was not phosphorylated on tyrosine residues. Western blotting of cell lysates with a monoclonal phosphotyrosine antibody did not identify the IGF-I receptor or pp185 but demonstrated IGF-I dependent phosphorylation on tyrosine residues in three other proteins, p110, p70 and p40.

Insulin-like growth factor I activates the invasion suppressor function of E-cadherin in MCF-7 human mammary carcinoma cells in vitro.

The calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin has been shown to counteract invasion of epithelial neoplastic cells. Using three monoclonal antibodies, we have demonstrated the presence of E-cadherin at the surface of human MCF-7/6 mammary carcinoma cells by indirect immunofluorescence coupled to flow cytometry and by immunocytochemistry. Nevertheless, MCF-7/6 cells failed to aggregate in a medium containing 1.25 mM CaCl2, and they were invasive after confrontation with embryonic chick heart fragments in organ culture. Treatment of MCF-7/6 cells with 0.5 microgram ml-1 insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) led to homotypic aggregation within 5 to 10 min and inhibited invasion in vitro during at least 8 days. The effect of IGF-I on cellular aggregation was insensitive to cycloheximide. However, monoclonal antibodies that interfered with the function of either the IGF-I receptor (alpha IR3) or E-cadherin (HECD-1, MB2) blocked the effect of IGF-I on aggregation. The effects of IGF-I on aggregation and on invasion could be mimicked by 1 microgram ml-1 insulin, but not by 0.5 microgram ml-1 IGF-II. The insulin effects were presumably not mediated by the IGF-I receptor, since they could not be blocked by an antibody against this receptor (alpha IR3). Our results indicate that IGF-I activates the invasion suppressor role of E-cadherin in MCF-7/6 cells.

In vivo and in vitro effect of growth hormone on estradiol secretion by human granulosa cells.

GH therapy increases the ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation in women presenting with ovaries that are relatively resistant to conventional gonadotropin therapy. As it is not completely certain whether GH modulates the actions of FSH on granulosa cells directly or via insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) production, we studied its effect on steroid release by human granulosa cells obtained from subjects affected by unexplained or male factor infertility. In all subjects, superovulation for in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer was induced by treatment with gonadotropins or GH plus gonadotropins combined. The effects of the different in vivo treatments were evaluated in the conditioned medium obtained after the first 24 h of incubation; granulosa cells from patients treated with GH released higher amounts of estradiol and progesterone into the medium than did granulosa cells from patients treated with gonadotropins alone. When the release of steroid due to the in vivo treatment was exhausted, cells were subjected to increasing concentrations of GH in the presence or absence of 200 nmol anti-IGF Sm 1.2 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) or the antitype I receptor alpha IR3 MoAb. The results revealed that GH stimulates estradiol production in a dose-dependent fashion, and the presence of the MoAbs drastically reduces the GH effect. These data demonstrate that the established stimulatory effect of GH on ovarian function is dependent not only on the increased levels of circulating IGF-I, but also on a direct effect of GH on granulosa cells, which seems to be mediated at least in part by the autocrine action of IGF, particularly IGF-II. In fact, chromatographic analysis of medium conditioned by human granulosa cells revealed that these cells clearly produce IGF-II and IGF-binding proteins and only small amounts of IGF-I. Since GH appears to be able to increase the in vitro effect of both IGF-I and IGF-II, we can hypothesize a sensitization of the granulosa cells to the IGF-II produced by the cells themselves, which acts through the IGF-I receptor.

Regulation of insulin-like growth factor-binding-protein-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6: synthesis, secretion, and gene expression in estrogen receptor-negative human breast carcinoma cells.

Insulin-like growth-factors I and II (IGF-I, II) are potent mitogens for breast carcinoma proliferation. In extracellular fluids, most of the IGF-I and II is associated with specific IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). The role of these IGFBPs in IGF action is still not clear, but it has been demonstrated that these proteins may either enhance or inhibit IGF-mediated cellular effects. Synthesis and secretion of IGFBPs have been demonstrated in breast carcinoma cells. In this study, we examined retinoic acid (RA) and IGF-I modulation of IGFBP mRNA and IGFBP levels in two ER-negative human breast carcinoma cell lines. Treatment of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells with RA increased the levels in conditioned media of a M(r) 42-46-kDa IGFBP, which was immunoprecipitated by an IGFBP-3 antibody. IGF-I also increased the accumulated levels of IGFBP-3 in the conditioned media of both cell lines. Both cell lines expressed high basal levels of IGFBP-3 mRNA; the addition of RA increased IGFBP-3 mRNA levels by 1.5-fold, whereas the addition of IGF-I had no effect on IGFBP-3 mRNA levels in either cell line. The difference in the magnitude of the RA enhancement of IGFBP-3 mRNA levels (1.5-fold) and RA stimulation of IGFBP-3 levels in conditioned media (3.5-4-fold) suggests that some of the effect of RA is at a posttranscriptional level. IGF-I increased the levels of IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-5 in conditioned media by greater than tenfold but had no effect on IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-5 mRNA levels, again suggesting the involvement of posttranscriptional controls. Pretreatment of MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells with IGF-I receptor antibody (alpha IR3) blocked the IGF-I effect on IGFBP-3 levels in the media in both cell lines and IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-5 secreted levels in MDA-MB-468 cell conditioned media. The addition of RA also blocked IGF-I stimulation of IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-5 levels. Cycloheximide treatment completely blocked the RA and/or IGF-I-mediated modulation of these binding proteins, suggesting that these agents enhance IGFBP-3, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-5 synthesis and consequent secretion. MDA-MB-468 cells expressed IGFBP-5 mRNA, whereas both MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 expressed IGFBP-6 mRNA. RA enhanced IGFBP-6 gene expression by threefold in MDA-MB-231 cells, whereas IGF-1 had no effect on IGFBP-6 gene expression in either cell line.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Different Regulation of Clonal Growth by Transforming Growth Factor-β 1 in Human Fetal Articular and Costal Chondrocytes

The variable affection of rib and limb growth in human skeletal dysplasias suggests the presence of site-specific regulatory mechanisms for chondrocyte proliferation. We therefore studied the clonal growth of normal human costal and articular chondrocytes from the same four fetuses (15 to 30 wk of gestation) in a semisolid medium (0.8% methylcellulose) with a basal supplementation of 5% heat-inactivated FCS. IGF-I[0.3-12.5 ng/mL (0.04-1.6 nmol/L)], IGF-II [0.3-12.5 ng/mL (0.04-1.7 nmol/L)], and hGH [0.5-25 ng/mL (0.02-1.1 nmol/L)] stimulated clonal growth of articular and costal chondrocytes without site-specific difference. In contrast, a significant difference was found for transforming growth factor-beta 1, which proved to be a potent growth factor for fetal articular chondrocytes but did not stimulate or only minimally stimulated fetal costal chondrocytes [p < 0.05 for 0.3 ng/mL (0.01 nmol/L) TGF-beta 1 and p < 0.01 for 1.25 ng/mL (0.05 nmol/L) TGF-beta 1 using paired t test]. Preincubation with an IGF-I receptor antibody (alpha IR-3) completely prevented the proliferative effect of IGF-I, IGF-II, and hGH, indicating that hGH acts via autocrine or paracrine induction of IGF. The antibody partly reduced TGF-beta 1 action on articular chondrocytes [p < 0.05 for 0.3 ng/mL (0.01 nmol/L) TGF-beta 1, NS for 1.25 ng/mL (0.05 nmol/L) TGF-beta 1 using paired t test]. These results indicate that TGF-beta 1 is involved in the regulation of human fetal growth and has a different effect in ribs and limbs.

Role of tyrosine kinase activity in signal transduction by the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptor. Characterization of kinase-deficient IGF-I receptors and the action of an IGF-I-mimetic antibody (alpha IR-3).

The insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptor is a member of a large family of transmembrane signal transducing molecules. The defining characteristic of this class of receptors is the intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity of the cytoplasmic domain. While it has been demonstrated that this tyrosine kinase activity is necessary for the action of a number of transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors, no evidence of this type has been adduced to date with respect to the signaling requirement of the IGF-I receptor. We have now shown that stably transfected NIH-3T3 cell lines overexpressing human IGF-I receptors display increased responses to IGF-I and an IGF-I-mimetic antibody, alpha IR-3, in terms of short, intermediate, and long term actions initiated by activation of the IGF-I receptor. These include receptor autophosphorylation, activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and 2-deoxyglucose uptake, induction of ornithine decarboxylase gene expression, and stimulation of thymidine incorporation. In short term responses, the kinetics seen with alpha IR-3 were slower than those seen with IGF-I. These effects were severely decreased in clones expressing human IGF-I receptors in which the lysine residue in the ATP-binding site of the tyrosine kinase domain had been mutated to alanine or arginine. This was true for both IGF-I and alpha IR-3. These results indicate that, for all parameters tested, the tyrosine kinase activity of the IGF-I receptor is necessary for activation of the IGF-I-stimulated signal transduction cascade. Additionally, the effects of alpha IR-3 also require tyrosine kinase activity.

Expression of type I insulin-like growth factor receptors on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Insulin-like growth factor-I and -II (IGF-I and IGF-II), both of which bind to type I IGF receptors, can modulate certain functions of the immune system. We, therefore, studied the expression of type I IGF receptors on purified subpopulations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Using two-color flow cytometry, specific binding of a monoclonal antibody directed against the type I IGF receptor (alpha IR3) was found in every subpopulation. Relatively high numbers of receptors were detected on monocytes, natural killer cells, and CD4+ T-helper cells, an intermediate number of receptors on CD8+ suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells, and a relatively low number of receptors on B-cells. The presence of these receptors was confirmed by specific binding of [125I] IGF-I to purified subpopulations. alpha IR3 inhibited the binding of [125I] IGF-I. The specific binding of [125I]IGF-I to monocytes could be completely inhibited by IGF-II and insulin, but higher doses of these peptides were needed than of IGF-I. Scatchard analysis revealed the presence of 734 +/- 426 receptors/monocyte, with a Kd of 0.23 +/- 0.05 nM. A lower number of receptors (230 +/- 52), but with a higher affinity (Kd = 0.05 +/- 0.02 nM), was found on purified T-cells. The positive effect of IGF-I on natural killer cell cytotoxicity indicates that the type I IGF receptors on this cell type are functional. The possibility that IGF-I mediates hormonal effects on the immune system is discussed.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and retinoic acid modulation of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs): IGFBP-2, -3, and -4 gene expression and protein secretion in a breast cancer cell line.

Retinoic acid (RA) blocks insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulation of proliferation in the MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell line, and this is associated with the appearance of 42- to 46-kilodalton (kDa) IGF-binding proteins(s) (IGFBPs) in the conditioned medium (CM), in addition to the approximately 34- and 27-kDa IGFBPs present in the CM of unstimulated cells. Using immunological, biochemical, and molecular biological criteria, we have identified the 27-kDa band as IGFBP-4, the 34-kDa band as IGFBP-2, and the 42- to 46-kDa band as IGFBP-3. IGF-I alone stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation, and this was associated with a large increase in IGFBP-2 in the CM. RA alone resulted in increased IGFBP-4 levels and the appearance of IGFBP-3 in the CM. The combination of RA and IGF-I, which resulted in decreased cellular proliferation, was associated with the appearance of IGFBP-3 in the CM at levels far exceeding those seen with RA alone. The effect of IGF-I on IGFBP-2 levels and the synergistic action of IGF-I and RA on IGFBP-3 levels in CM were blocked by alpha IR3, a monoclonal antibody to the human IGF-I receptor, indicating that these effects required signal transduction through the IGF-I receptor. IGFBP-2, -3, and -4 mRNAs were detected in unstimulated MCF-7 cells. RA increased IGFBP-3 mRNA levels, suggesting that transcriptional events contribute to the RA stimulation of IGFBP-3 appearance in CM. In contrast, the increase in IGFBP-2 protein in CM after IGF-I treatment appeared to be greater than the increase in IGFBP-2 mRNA levels. The increase in IGFBP-3 protein in CM in response to the combination of RA and IGF-I was much greater than the increase in IGFBP-3 mRNA. These results suggest that the action of RA and IGF-I in combination to increase IGFBP-3 protein in CM is principally translational or posttranslational. We speculate that RA inhibition of IGF-I-stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation may be due to IGFBP-3, or that increased levels of IGFBP-3 in response to growth inhibition represent a compensatory response.

A mitogenic peptide amide encoded within the E peptide domain of the insulin-like growth factor IB prohormone.

We have identified an amino acid sequence within the E peptide of the insulin-like growth factor IB (IGF-IB) precursor that is biologically active and designated this peptide insulin-like growth factor IB-(103-124) E1 amide (IBE1). Its existence was predicted by a flanking Gly-Lys-Lys-Lys, a signal sequence for sequential proteolytic cleavage and peptidyl C-terminal amidation. A synthetic analog of the predicted IBE1 peptide, designated Y-23-R-NH2, was generated with tyrosine added at position 0. This peptide at 2-20 nM had growth-promoting effects on both normal and malignant human bronchial epithelial cells. Y-23-R-NH2 bound to specific high-affinity receptors (Kd = 2.8 +/- 1.4 x 10(-11) M) present at 1-2 x 10(4) binding sites per cell. Ligand binding was not inhibited by recombinant insulin or recombinant IGF-I. Furthermore, a monoclonal antibody antagonist to the IGF-I receptor (alpha IR3) did not suppress the proliferative response induced by Y-23-R-NH2. In addition, C-terminal amidation was shown to be important in receptor recognition since the free-acid analog of IBE1 (Y-23-R-OH) did not effectively compete for binding and was not a potent agonist of proliferation. Immunoblot analysis of human lung tumor cell line extracts using an antibody raised against Y-23-R-NH2 detected a low molecular mass band of approximately 5 kDa, implying that a protein product is produced that has immunological similarity to IBE1. Extracts of human, mammalian, and avian livers analyzed on an immunoblot with the anti-Y-23-R-NH2 antibody contained proteins of approximately 21 kDa that were specifically recognized by the antiserum and presumably represent an IGF-I precursor molecule. This implies that in species where an IGF-I mRNA with homology to the human IGF-IB E domain has not yet been described, an alternate mRNA must be produced that contains a sequence similar to that of the midportion of the human IGF-IB E domain. Our findings demonstrate that IBE1 is a growth factor that mediates its effect through a specific high-affinity receptor and is most likely conserved in many species.

Expression of type I, but not type II insulin-like growth factor receptor on both undifferentiated and differentiated HT29 human colon carcinoma cell line.

The HT29 human colonic carcinoma cell line secretes insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II. We have examined these cells for expression of IGF receptors. Competitive binding assays as affinity cross-linking experiments using 125I-IGF-II fail to reveal type II IGF receptors at the cell surface. In contrast, cross-linking studies with either 125I-IGF-I or 125I-IGF-II reveal an M(r) 135,000 protein that follows a peptide binding specificity characteristic of the alpha-subunit of the type I IGF receptor. However, 125I-IGF-II binding to this receptor is not inhibited at 4 C by alpha IR-3, a monoclonal antibody to the type I IGF receptor. Analysis of the competitive binding curves with each one of these radioligands suggests that HT29 cells express both a classical type I IGF receptor (about 6,000/cell; KdIGF-I = 0.48 nmol) and a variant one whose 125I-IGF-II binding is not blocked by alpha IR-3 (about 15,000/cell; KdIGF-II = 4.0 nmol). Endocytosis studies of specific cell-bound 125I-IGF-I or 125I-IGF-II suggest that ligand interaction with the classical, but not the variant, binding site is only able to induce receptor internalization. An identical IGF receptors pattern is observed with HT29-D4 clonal cells induced to differentiate by culture in a glucose-free medium.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptors in human breast tumour: localisation and quantification by histo-autoradiographic analysis.

To assess the precise role of IGF1 in benign and malignant breast diseases, we analysed the tissular localisation, characterised, and quantified specific insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) binding sites in these heterogenous tissues, using histo-autoradiographic analysis (HAA). The 125I-IGF1 binding was performed on frozen tissue sections and analysed using 3H Ultrofilm autoradiography coupled to computerised image analysis. Competitive binding experiments using unlabelled IGF1, IGF2 and insulin showed that the tissues exhibited typical type I IGF binding sites. This specificity was confirmed by the use of alpha IR-3 monoclonal antibody, as inhibitor of 125I-IGF1 binding. IGF1 binding sites were detected in 18 human primary breast cancers, 12 benign breast tumours and two normal breast tissues. Using HAA we found that the human breast carcinomas studied exhibit a specific and high binding capacity for 125I-IGF1 exclusively localised on the proliferative epithelial component. The 125I-IGF1 binding activity of benign breast tumours or normal breast tissue was significantly lower than in cancerous tissues. There was a significant correlation between IGF1-R concentrations detected with HAA and those detected with a classical biochemical method. Moreover, HAA could be useful in further detailing whether a tumour is IGF1-R positive or negative HAA appears to be a useful method for the detection of growth factor receptors, specially in small biopsy specimens.

Growth-stimulatory monoclonal antibodies against human insulin-like growth factor I receptor.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against purified human placental insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptors were prepared and characterized. Three IgG mAbs were specific for the human IGF-I receptor and displayed negligible crossreactivity with the human insulin receptor. They stimulated 125I-labeled IGF-I (125I-IGF-I) or 125I-IGF-II binding to purified human placental IGF-I receptors and to IGF-I receptors expressed in NIH 3T3 cells in contrast to the well-studied mAb alpha IR-3, which inhibits 125I-IGF-I or 125I-IGF-II binding to both forms of IGF-I receptors. The mAbs introduced in this study stimulated DNA synthesis in NIH 3T3 cells expressing human IGF-I receptors approximately 1.5-fold above the basal level and the IGF-I- or IGF-II-stimulated level. In contrast, alpha IR-3 inhibited both basal and IGF-I or IGF-II-stimulated DNA synthesis by approximately 30%. Inhibition of IGF-II-stimulated DNA synthesis by alpha IR-3 was as potent as its inhibition of IGF-I-stimulated DNA synthesis, although IGF-II binding to the IGF-I receptors was not inhibited by IGF-II as potently as was IGF-I. With the purified IGF-I receptors, both inhibitory and stimulatory mAbs were shown to activate autophosphorylation of the IGF-I receptor beta subunit and to induce microaggregation of the receptors. These results suggest that conformational changes resulting from receptor dimerization in the presence of either type of mAb may affect the signal-transducing function of the IGF-I receptor differently. These additional mAbs and alpha IR-3 immunoprecipitated nearly 90% of IGF-I binding activity from Triton X-100-solubilized human placental membranes, indicating that IGF-I receptor reactive with these mAbs is the major form of the IGF-I receptor in human placenta.

Interference of the IGF system as a strategy to inhibit breast cancer growth.

Experimental evidence suggests that human breast cancer cells can be regulated by the IGF-I and IGF-II present in the tumor stromal elements and/or by the endogenous tumor cell IGF-II in a paracrine or autocrine fashion. Thus, blockade of the receptor signalling pathway could lead to diminished tumor growth. Blockade of the type I IGF receptor by a monoclonal antibody (alpha IR3) has been used as a strategy to demonstrate the importance of the IGF pathway. Although alpha IR3 could not block serum-free growth of breast cancer cell lines, it could inhibit anchorage independent growth in most cell lines in the presence of serum. In vivo, alpha IR3 administered at the time of tumor cell inoculation could inhibit MDA-MB-231 tumor formation in athymic mice; however, inhibition of established tumors was not seen. Moreover, alpha IR3 could not inhibit tumor formation of the MCF-7 cell line in vivo. These results suggest that blockade of the type I IGF receptor can inhibit the growth of some breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Future anti-growth factor strategies include the combination of anti-IGF receptor antibodies with IGF neutralizing modalities, the dual blockade of growth factor receptors (epidermal growth factor receptor and type I IGF receptor), and combinations of steroid hormone antagonists and anti-growth factor treatments to maximize tumor inhibition.

Type 1 IGF receptor in human breast diseases.

The first step of the action of IGF1 and IGF2 (IGFs) is their binding to membrane receptors. IGF binding sites have been characterized by competitive binding and cross-linking techniques in human breast cancer cell lines as well as in human breast cancers and in human benign breast diseases. IGF2 is a good competitor of 125I-IGF1 binding to IGF1-R; insulin competes but with a potency 1/100 lower than the IGF1 potency. Chemical cross-linking experiments revealed that the apparent molecular weight of the IGF1-binding sites is 130,000. Alpha IR-3, a murine monoclonal antibody against the IGF1-R, blocks IGF1-binding to this receptor. This antibody inhibits the IGF1-stimulated growth of breast cancer cells. Therefore, the IGF1 specific binding sites correspond to the previously described type 1 IGF receptors (IGF1-R) in normal tissues. Cross-linking experiments with labeled IGF2 resulted in a major band of apparent Mr 260,000-270,000 that was inhibited by unlabeled IGF2 but not by insulin, and corresponds to the type 2 IGF receptor; a second band of apparent Mr 130,000 was inhibited by excess IGFs and insulin (Type I receptor). The alpha-IR3 inhibition of the IGF2 mitogenic activity suggest that IGF1-R partially mediates the growth effect of IGF2 in these cells. We and others have demonstrated that most breast cancer cell lines contain IGF1-R.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) reduce IGF-binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) concentration and stimulate IGFBP-3 independently of IGF receptors in human fibroblasts and epidermal cells.

Recent studies have provided a consensus that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulates IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in vivo and in vitro. While it also appears well established that IGFBP-1 is inversely related to insulin concentrations, evidence regarding regulation of other IGFBP is inconclusive. Using immunoprecipitation and Western ligand blot, we have characterized the IGFBPs released into conditioned medium (CM) by cells from the adult human fibroblast cell line N3652 and the human epidermal squamous cell carcinoma line SCL-1. N3652 cells expressed IGFBP-3, IGFBP-2, a 24-kilodalton (kDa) IGFBP presumed to be IGFBP-4, and IGFBPs at 30 and 28 kDa. SCL-1 expressed IGFBP-3 and a putative IGFBP-4, with intermediate bands at 34 and 30 kDa. As determined by ligand blot of CM from confluent cells 72 h after the addition of peptides to serum-free medium, IGF-I and IGF-II potently stimulated IGFBP-3 in both cell lines, but otherwise IGFBP regulation in the two cells diverged. In N3652 cells, IGFBP-3 concentrations in CM increased to 700% and 800% of basal levels in the presence of IGF-I and IGF-II (at 100 ng/ml; n = 5 experiments), respectively. IGFBP-3 was not affected by insulin up to 10 micrograms/ml. In contrast, IGFBP-4 levels were diminished 54% and 73% by 100 ng/ml IGF-I and IGF-II, respectively, with no response to insulin. In SCL-1 cells, IGF-I and IGF-II were virtually identical in stimulating a mean 200% increase in IGFBP-3 (n = 5 experiments). Insulin was less potent, but caused a significant stimulation of IGFBP-3 levels. IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin all stimulated an approximately 50% increase in IGFBP-4 concentrations. To test the hypothesis that IGF-induced alterations in IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 concentrations were regulated via the type 1 IGF receptor, we attempted to block IGFBP changes with type 1 IGF receptor antibody alpha IR-3 and to induce IGFBP changes with an IGF-II analog, [Leu27]IGF-II, with little affinity for the type 1 receptor. alpha IR-3 failed to block either the IGF-induced rise in IGFBP-3 in each cell line or the decline in IGFBP-4 in N3652 CM. [Leu27]IGF-II was as potent as IGF-II or IGF-I in inducing changes in IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Expression of a type I insulin-like growth factor receptor with low affinity for insulin-like growth factor II.

We investigated the binding properties of the type I insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor expressed in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts transfected with a human type I receptor cDNA. Cell surface receptors bound IGF-I with KD = 1 nM as predicted. Although recent studies have suggested that IGF-I and IGF-II bind to type I receptors with near-equal affinity, the receptors in this system bound IGF-II with much lower affinity (KD = 15-20 nM). When type I receptors from the transfected cells were solubilized and immunopurified, however, both 125I-IGF-I and 125I-IGF-II bound to the purified receptors with extremely high and relatively similar affinities (KD = 8 and 17 pM respectively). Thus the immunopurified receptors had higher affinity but lower specificity for the two ligands. The monoclonal antibody alpha IR-3 effectively inhibited IGF-I binding to cell surface receptors (75 +/- 10%), but did not inhibit IGF-II binding. In the purified receptor assay, alpha IR-3 also inhibited IGF-I binding more effectively than IGF-II binding (38 +/- 7% versus 10 +/- 4%). We conclude that the products of this cDNA can account for the binding patterns that we previously observed in receptors immunopurified from human placenta. The differential effect of alpha IR-3 on IGF-I versus IGF-II raises the possibility that these homologous growth factors bind to immunologically distinct epitopes on the type I receptor.

Effects of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF receptor antibodies on the proliferation of human breast cancer cells.

It has been shown previously that MCF-7 cells proliferate in response to nanomolar concentrations of IGF-I and IGF-II. It has also been reported that the actions of both peptides are mediated through the IGF-I receptor. To further characterize these observations, we used MCF-7 and Hs578T cell lines in the serum-free/phenol red-free system developed by Ogasawara and Sibarsku, 1988. Cell proliferation was studied in the presence of insulin, IGF-I and -II and a series of growth factor receptor antibodies. No effect was observed on Hs578T cell proliferation with any of the growth factors. However, MCF-7 cells were stimulated 4-5 fold with IGF-I and insulin, while IGF-II was only slightly less potent. alpha IR3, a monoclonal antibody directed against the IGF-I receptor, was stimulatory when added alone. However, alpha IR3 blocked approximately 50% of the IGF-I response, only 5% of the insulin response, and did not block the IGF-II effect on cell proliferation. These data suggest that alpha IR3 and IGF-I are acting as agonists through the IGF-I receptor, but that insulin and IGF-II are acting through other receptors. Two different IGF-II/M-6-P receptor antibodies and an insulin receptor antibody failed to significantly block IGF-II actions. All three antibodies were stimulatory when added alone. beta-gal inhibited 27% of the IGF-II response and had no effect when added alone. Since beta-gal decreases the binding affinity of the IGF-II/M-6-P receptor for IGF-II and does not bind to the IGF-I or insulin receptor, these data suggest the possibility that IGF-II mitogenic action is mediated through the IGF-II/M-6-P receptor. In summary, these data indicate that nanomolar concentration of insulin, IGF-I and IGF-II are potent mitogens in MCF-7 cells and can potentially stimulate cell proliferation through all three receptors.

Expression and function of insulin-like growth factor receptors on anti-CD3-activated human T lymphocytes.

The pattern of expression of receptors for insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) and insulin was studied on monocyte-depleted human peripheral blood T cells activated via anti-CD3. Binding assays demonstrated the sequential appearance of receptors for IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin on activated T cells. IGF-IR appeared early, their expression reaching maximum levels at or before the peak of cellular proliferation. IGF-IIR expression generally followed that of the IGF-IR and was more transient, with increases and decreases in expression paralleling the rise and decline of cellular proliferation. Insulin receptor expression remained low throughout the activation time course. The identity of the IGFR on anti-CD3-activated T cells was confirmed in affinity cross-linking experiments. These data demonstrated a 135,000 Mr peptide that specifically binds radiolabeled IGF-I and corresponds to the alpha subunit of the type I IGF-IR, and a 260,000 Mr peptide that specifically binds radiolabeled IGF-II and corresponds to the type II IGFR. We have additionally found that IGF-I and IGF-II (in nanomolar concentrations) produce as much as a threefold enhancement of T cell proliferation early in the activation process, correlating with the early appearance of IGF-IR. The effect of both IGF appeared to be mediated through the type I receptor, since an antibody (alpha IR3), which blocks binding to the alpha subunit of this receptor, inhibited enhancement by up to 83%. Furthermore, we have found expression of IGF-IR on T cells after activation to be associated with both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subpopulations. These observations provide a foundation for investigating the contribution of IGF in regulating T cell proliferation, differentiation, and effector function.

Insulin-like growth factor-II overexpression in MCF-7 cells induces phenotypic changes associated with malignant progression.

It has been proposed that the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) can act as autocrine and/or paracrine growth promoters in breast cancer. To investigate this hypothesis, we infected early passage MCF-7 cells with a retroviral vector containing the coding sequence for the IGF-II preprohormone along with a constitutive cytomegalovirus promoter sequence. These cells do not normally express IGF-I or IGF-II. After infection with the retroviral vector, several single cell clones were analyzed. Seven of nine isolated clones expressed very high levels of IGF-II mRNA. Biologically active IGF-II protein was easily detectable in the medium conditioned by the IGF-II-expressing clones, and IGF receptors were down-regulated in these. All IGF-II-expressing clones showed marked morphological changes in anchorage-dependent culture, growing in large clumps and as free-floating colonies. The cells also cloned in soft agar in the absence of estrogen, while the wild-type MCF-7 cells and control cells infected with an irrelevant DNA sequence showed none of these properties. alpha IR-3, an antibody that blocks the type I IGF receptor, inhibited the growth of IGF-II-expressing clones in serum-free medium. This model demonstrates that IGF-II can serve as an autocrine growth stimulant in breast cancer epithelial cells and that IGF-II overexpression may be capable of mediating malignant progression in human breast cancer.

A unique receptor-independent mechanism by which insulinlike growth factor I regulates the availability of insulinlike growth factor binding proteins in normal and transformed human fibroblasts.

Insulin-like growth factor I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II) associate with specific IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) present in plasma and extracellular fluids that can modulate the anabolic effects of these peptides. IGF-I has been shown to increase IGFBP concentrations in vivo and in vitro, but the mechanism and significance of this action are unknown. We examined these issues using normal and simian virus 40-transformed adult human fibroblasts (SV40-HF) in culture. Treatment with IGF-I markedly stimulated the appearance of IGFBP-3 (42/38 kD doublet), a 36 kD IGFBP, and 28-32 kD IGFBPs in the medium of these cells, as assessed by Western ligand blotting; IGF-I decreased levels of 24 kD IGFBP in normal HF cultures. The IGF-I-induced change in IGFBP levels was not a type I IGF receptor-mediated effect on IGFBP synthesis because (a) high concentrations of insulin did not mimic IGF-I's effect; (b) IGF-II and IGF-I analogues having reduced affinity for the IGF-I receptor were equipotent with IGF-I in increasing medium IGFBPs; (c) [QAYL]IGF-I, and IGF-I analogue having normal receptor affinity and decreased affinity for IGFBPs, had no effect; and (d) alpha IR-3, a monoclonal antibody specific for the type I IGF receptor, did not block IGF-I-stimulated increases in IGFBPs. In physiological studies, preincubation with 1 nM IGF-I had no effect on type I IGF receptor binding in normal HF and SV40-HF. In contrast, preincubation of cells with an equivalent concentration of [QAYL]IGF-I downregulated the receptors 40-50%. Changes in cell surface receptor number were reflected in cell responsiveness to IGF-I-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation and [3H]aminoisobutyric acid uptake. In conclusion, IGF-I regulates the availability of specific IGFBPs in cultured human fibroblasts by a novel receptor-independent mechanism. Rapid changes in levels of soluble IGFBPs as a direct response to extracellular IGF-I, in turn, modulate IGF-I peptide and receptor interaction, and may constitute an important level of control in IGF cellular physiology.