Immunocytochemical demonstration of growth hormone-releasing factor in gastrointestinal and pancreatic endocrine tumors

Growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF), a linear peptide that exists in a number of different molecular forms (GRF-44, -40, -37, and-31) has been shown to be responsible for the acromegaly associated with certain endocrine tumors of the pancreas and other foregut-derived structures. With the use of two anti-sera (#1A850 and G59/901) directed against different segments of the GRF molecule, a series of 24 pancreatic and 35 gastrointestinal endocrine tumors, not associated with acromegaly, were surveyed systematically for immunocytochemical localization of GRF in the tumor cells. Strong immunoreactivity for GRF was encountered in 10 tumors (6 pancreatic and 4 gastrointestinal). While all ten tumors were immunoreactive against G59/901, which recognizes GRF-44, -40, and -37, two jejunal carcinoids showed additional immunostaining with 1A850 that is specific for GRF-44. Seven of these ten tumors were also immunoreactive for a variety of other regulatory peptides and neurotransmitters, including gastrin, insulin, glucagon, serotonin, substance P, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). No consistent pattern of association between GRF and the other regulatory substances was evident. These findings indicate that, even in the absence of associated acromegaly, up to 17% of endocrine tumors of the gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) axis show immunoreactivity for GRF and that such reactivity is associated more frequently with pancreatic (25%) than with gastrointestinal (11%) endocrine tumors.

Immunoreactive neuronal pathways of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GRH) in the brain and pituitary of the teleost Gadus morhua

Using an antiserum directed against the C-terminus of hGRH(1-44)NH2 and another recognizing the mid portion to C-terminal of hGRH(1-40)OH, we identify two immunocytochemically distinct GRH-immunoreactive systems in the brain of the codfish, Gadus morhua. The antiserum directed against GRF(1-44)NH2 stains cell bodies exclusively in the rostral pars distalis. The other antiserum immunoreactive with GRF(1-40)OH reacts with a population of parvocellular and magnocellular neuronal cell bodies in the hypothalamus and with two major axonal pathways which project toward the median eminence and terminate primarily in the pars nervosa. These results indicate the presence of at least two forms of hGRH-like peptides in the teleost which may have different roles in the regulation of pituitary function.

Multiple forms of human pancreatic growth hormone releasing factor-like immunoreactivity in teleost brain and pituitary

Two anatomically distinct neuronal GRF systems in the brain-pituitary of the teleost codfish (Gadus morhua), immunohistochemically localized by use of antisera directed against hpGRF1-44NH2 and hpGRF1-40OH are described. Chromatographic analysis additionally revealed the presence of three molecular variants of immunoreactive hpGRF1-44NH2, two of which differ from the authentic human material. However, all three forms released GH from rat pituitary cells in dispersed culture. These findings indicate that hpGRF is highly conserved in nature and suggest that peptides closely related to this human hypothalamic releasing hormone regulate the teleost pituitary.

Distribution of immunoreactive growth hormone releasing factor(1-44)NH2 in the tuberoinfundibular system of the rhesus monkey

Using an antiserum which reacts with the carboxyl terminus of GRF(1-44)NH2, the distribution of immunoreactive growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) in the rhesus monkey hypothalamus was delineated by peroxidase immunocytochemistry. Immunoreactive material was present in dense terminal fields in the median eminence closely associated with portal capillaries but in a location distinct from that noted for immunoreactive thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) or somatostatin. GRF-immunoreactive cell bodies were identified in the arcuate nucleus and ventromedial nucleus. These studies provide evidence for the presence of GRF(1-44)NH2 in the primate brain and demonstrate that in the hypothalamus it is localized exclusively in cells and fibers corresponding to the tuberoinfundibular system.

Immunoreactive growth hormone-releasing factor in human stalk median eminence

Immunoreactive growth hormone-releasing factor was detected in extracts of acetone preserved human stalk median eminence utilizing an antiserum against human GRF-(1-44)-NH2, isolated from a pancreatic tumor. The antibody is highly specific for the C-terminus of GRF-(1-44)-NH2, and has a cross-reactivity less than 0.02% with GRF-(1-40) free acid, a peptide isolated from a different pancreatic tumor. The mean concentration of IR-GRF in 5 pools of 10-15 stalk-median eminence fragments was 57.7 +/- 7.2 ng/mg protein (mean +/- SEM, range 42.5-75.8 ng/mg protein). Gel filtration chromatographic analysis showed that 97% of the IR-GRF coeluted with synthetic hpGRF-(1-44)-NH2 and eluate inhibition of binding in the radioimmunoassay was parallel to that of hpGRF-(1-44)-NH2. These data strongly suggest that human hypothalamic tissue contains a peptide that is similar to hpGRF-(1-44)-NH2.

Topographical and ontogenetic study of the neurons producing growth hormone-releasing factor in human hypothalamus

Neurons producing growth hormone-releasing factor have been characterized and analyzed by immunohistochemistry in the hypothalami of human fetuses, neonates, infants and adults, using two antibodies against human pancreatic GRF (hpGRF). One of the antibodies recognized both the hpGRF(1-40)OH and hpGRF(1-44)NH2 in the mid portion (between the 28th and 39th amino acid), the other one specifically recognized the C-terminal end of hpGRF(1-44)NH2. These two antibodies stain a single neuronal system with cell bodies mainly located in the infundibular (arcuate) nucleus, and in the ventromedial and lateralis tuber nuclei. These neurons project to the median eminence where they give numerous endings in contact with portal vessels. These neurons are distinct from those containing LH-RH, somatostatin, CRF or pro-opiocortin. In fetuses, neurons immunoreactive with hpGRF antibodies are first detected at the 29th week. They display a neuroblastic aspect which persists after birth. Immunoreactive fibers are detectable in the median eminence after the 31st week. These results demonstrate that the infundibular nucleus plays a major role in control of GH secretion in man and that secretion of GRF appears late during fetal life; this suggests that the first stages of differentiation and development of GH producing cells in the human fetus do not depend on hypothalamic GRF secretion.