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 Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3): Unraveling the Role in Mediating IGF-Independent Effects Within the Cell

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), one of the six members of the IGFBP family, is a key protein in the IGF pathway. IGFBP-3 can function in an IGF-dependent as well as in an IGF-independent manner. The IGF-dependent roles of IGFBP-3 include its endocrine role in the delivery of IGFs from the site of synthesis to the target cells that possess IGF receptors and the activation of associated downstream signaling. IGF-independent role of IGFBP-3 include its interactions with the proteins of the extracellular matrix and the proteins of the plasma membrane, its translocation through the plasma membrane into the cytoplasm and into the nucleus. The C-terminal domain of IGFBP-3 has the ability to undergo cell penetration therefore, generating a short 8-22-mer C-terminal domain peptides that can be conjugated to drugs or genes for effective intracellular delivery. This has opened doors for biotechnological applications of the molecule in molecular medicine. The aim of this this review is to summarize the complex roles of IGFBP-3 within the cell, including its mechanisms of cellular uptake and its translocation into the nucleus, various molecules with which it is capable of interacting, and its ability to regulate IGF-independent cell growth, survival and apoptosis. This would pave way into understanding the modus operandi of IGFBP-3 in regulating IGF-independent processes and its pleiotropic ability to bind with potential partners thus regulating several cellular functions implicated in metabolic diseases, including cancer.

Recent insights into the actions of IGFBP-6

IGFBP-6 is an O-linked glycoprotein that preferentially binds IGF-II over IGF-I. It is a relatively selective inhibitor of IGF-II actions including proliferation, survival and differentiation of a wide range of cells. IGFBP-6 has recently been shown to have a number of IGF-independent actions, including promotion of apoptosis in some cells and inhibition of angiogenesis. IGFBP-6 also induces migration of tumour cells including rhabdomyosarcomas by an IGF-independent mechanism. This chemotactic effect is mediated by MAP kinases. IGFBP-6 binds to prohibitin-2 on the cell surface and the latter is required for IGFBP-6-induced migration by a mechanism that is independent of MAP kinases. IGFBP-6 may enter the nucleus and modulate cell survival and differentiation. IGFBP-6 expression is decreased in a number of cancer cells and it has been postulated to act as a tumour suppressor. IGFBP-6 expression is increased in a smaller number of cancers, which may reflect a compensatory mechanism to control IGF-II actions or IGF-independent actions. The relative balance of IGF-dependent and IGF-independent actions of IGFBP-6 in vivo together with the related question regarding the roles of IGFBP-6 binding to IGF and non-IGF ligands are keys to understanding the physiological role of this protein.

Retinoids and breast cancer: from basic studies to the clinic and back again

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is the most important active metabolite of vitamin A controlling segmentation in the developing organism and the homeostasis of various tissues in the adult. ATRA as well as natural and synthetic derivatives, collectively known as retinoids, are also promising agents in the treatment and chemoprevention of different types of neoplasia including breast cancer. The major aim of the present article is to review the basic knowledge acquired on the anti-tumor activity of classic retinoids, like ATRA, in mammary tumors, focusing on the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms and the determinants of retinoid sensitivity/resistance. In the first part, an analysis of the large number of pre-clinical studies available is provided, stressing the point that this has resulted in a limited number of clinical trials. This is followed by an overview of the knowledge acquired on the role played by the retinoid nuclear receptors in the anti-tumor responses triggered by retinoids. The body of the article emphasizes the potential of ATRA and derivatives in modulating and in being influenced by some of the most relevant cellular pathways involved in the growth and progression of breast cancer. We review the studies centering on the cross-talk between retinoids and some of the growth-factor pathways which control the homeostasis of the mammary tumor cell. In addition, we consider the cross-talk with relevant intra-cellular second messenger pathways. The information provided lays the foundation for the development of rational and retinoid-based therapeutic strategies to be used for the management of breast cancer.

Control of IGFBP-2 Expression by Steroids and Peptide Hormones in Vertebrates

IGFBP-2 (1) has been described as a brain tumor oncogene (2) and is widely expressed in cancers from different origins (3-8). IGFBP-2 alone cannot cause malignant transformation, yet progression of brain tumors to higher grade (9) and also has been provided as a protective element in earlier stages of multistage colon carcinogenesis (10). Therefore, it is crucial to understand the factors that determine expression patterns of IGFBP-2 under normal and malignant conditions. The present review provides a comprehensive update of known factors that have an impact on expression of IGFBP-2.

Kininogen 1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6: candidate serum biomarkers of proliferative vitreoretinopathy

BACKGROUND

The aim was to validate whether kininogen 1 (KNG1) or insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (IGFBP-6) are serum biomarkers of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

METHODS

Samples from vitreous and corresponding serum samples were collected from patients with PVR. The donor vitreous samples and serum samples from healthy volunteers and volunteers who had undergone vitrectomies for other conditions were used as controls. The samples were subsequently analysed using Western blotting (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

The Western blotting outcomes indicated both IGFBP-6 and KNG1 could be specifically detected in the vitreous and serum samples of patients with PVR. The concentrations of KNG1 and IGFBP-6 were significantly higher in both vitreous and serum samples from patients with severe PVR than in the samples from patients with moderate PVR. The serum concentrations of KNG1 or IGFBP-6 had decreased by the post-vitrectomy examinations. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses when the concentrations of IGFBP-6 or KNG1 were greater than 181.4 pg/ml or 441.75 ng/ml, respectively, predicted severe PVR with both a sensitivity and specificity of over 70 per cent. When the concentrations of IGFBP-6 or KNG1 were greater than 98.5 pg/ml or 88.5 ng/ml, respectively, they predicted the PVR prognosis with both a sensitivity and specificity of 80 per cent.

CONCLUSIONS

KNG1 and IGFBP-6 may be candidate serum biomarkers of PVR.

A novel antitumor activity of deguelin targeting the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor pathway via up-regulation of IGF-binding protein-3 expression in breast cancer

In this study, we investigated the antitumor effects of deguelin in several human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Deguelin inhibited cell viability and the anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent colony formation of triple-negative (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468) and triple-positive (MCF-7) breast cancer cells, and it significantly reduced the growth of MCF-7 cell xenograft tumors. The induction of apoptosis, inhibition of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling activation, and up-regulation of IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) expression may be associated with deguelin-mediated antitumor effects. Our findings suggest a potential therapeutic use for deguelin in patients with triple-negative breast cancer and for those with breast cancers who are sensitive to endocrine- and HER2-targeted therapies.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-6 and cancer

The IGF (insulin-like growth factor) system is essential for physiological growth and it is also implicated in a number of diseases including cancer. IGF activity is modulated by a family of high-affinity IGF-binding proteins, and IGFBP-6 is distinctive because of its marked binding preference for IGF-II over IGF-I. A principal role for IGFBP-6 is inhibition of IGF-II actions, but recent studies have indicated that IGFBP-6 also has IGF-independent effects, including inhibition of angiogenesis and promotion of cancer cell migration. The present review briefly summarizes the IGF system in physiology and disease before focusing on recent studies on the regulation and actions of IGFBP-6, and its potential roles in cancer cells. Given the widespread interest in IGF inhibition in cancer therapeutics, increasing our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the actions of the IGF ligands, receptors and binding proteins, including IGFBP-6, will enhance our ability to develop optimal treatments that can be targeted to the most appropriate patients.

Role of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) in organismal and pancreatic beta-cell growth

A family of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) exerts biological actions both dependent on and independent of IGF-I. A major effector of the insulin/IGF-I signaling pathway, the serine/threonine protein kinase Akt, mediates cellular processes such as glucose uptake, protein synthesis, cell survival, and growth. IGF-I is required for normal organismal growth, and in the pancreatic beta-cell, the insulin/IGF-I signaling pathway is critical for normal and adaptive maintenance of beta-cell mass. Expression of myrAkt1, an activated form of Akt, in the endocrine pancreas drives beta-cell expansion through dramatic increases in both islet and beta-cell size and number. Herein we present a comparative expression profiling of myrAkt1 transgenic islets that demonstrates the increased abundance of transcripts encoding proteins associated with growth, suppression of apoptosis, RNA processing, and metabolism. Although IGFBP5 is identified as a gene induced by Akt1 activation in the beta-cell, Igfbp5 expression is not necessary for myrAkt1 to augment beta-cell size or mass in vivo. However, in the absence of Igfbp5, mice demonstrate an increase in size and mild glucose intolerance. This is accentuated during diet-induced obesity, when Igfbp5-deficient mice have increased adiposity compared with wild-type mice on the same diet. These studies reveal a novel role for Igfbp5 in the control of growth and metabolism.

Action, localization and structure-function relationship of growth factors and their receptors in the prostate

Whereas the direct action of sex steroids, namely of androgens, on prostate cell division was questioned as early as in the 1970s, and remains so, the interest in prostatic growth factors (GFs) is rather recent but has expanded tremendously in the last five years. This lag period can be partly explained by the fact that, at the time, androgen receptors had just been discovered, and newly developed hormonal regimens or strategies to treat patients with prostate carcinoma (PCa) or epithelioma had generated great enthusiasm and hopes in the medical and scientific community. Another point to consider was the difficulty in maintaining prostate tissues in organ cultures and the relative novelty of culturing prostate epithelial cells in monolayers. Failures of sex steroids to elicit a direct positive response on prostate cell divisionin vitro, as seenin vivo, were interpreted as resulting from inappropriate models or culture conditions. However, the increasing number of reports confirming the lack of mitogenic activity of sex steroidsin vitro, coupled with the powerful mitogenic activity of GFs displayed in other systems, the discovery of GF receptors (GF-Rs), and the elucidation of their signalling pathways showing sex steroid receptors as potential substrates of GF-activated protein kinases gradually led to an increased interest in the putative role of GFs in prostate physiopathology. Of utmost importance was the recognition that hormone refractiveness was responsible for PCa progression, and for the poor outcome of patients with advanced disease under endocrine therapies. This problem remains a major issue and it raises several key questions that need to be solved at the fundamental and clinical levels.

IGFBP2 and IGFBP5 overexpression correlates with the lymph node metastasis in T1 breast carcinomas

The family of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) comprises six members which bind and regulate the functions of IGFs. Overexpression of IGFBP2 and IGFBP5 contributes to the invasiveness and progression of several human cancers, but their roles in the metastasis of breast cancer have not been investigated in detail. To determine their roles, we examined IGFBP2 and IGFBP5 expression levels in 164 T1 breast carcinomas using tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry. The specimens were divided into those with (N1) or without (N0) axillary lymph node involvement. The results were associated with clinicopathologic parameters and prognostic molecular markers. No or very low expression of IGFBP2 and IGFBP5 was detected in normal breast epithelium or benign breast tissue with fibrocystic change. Moderate to strong cytoplasmic staining for IGFBP2 and IGFBP5 was detected in 49.1% and 50.3% of T1 invasive breast carcinomas, respectively. T1N1 carcinomas were more frequent to have moderate and strong-positive staining for IGFBP2 and IGFBP5 than in T1N0 carcinomas (p < 0.05). IGFBP2 and IGFBP5 expression correlated with the expression status of progesterone receptor and HER-2/neu in the overall T1 carcinoma group, but no association was found with tumor size or the expression status of estrogen receptor. Our data suggest that IGFBP2 and IGFBP5 play a role in the development of metastasis and may serve as useful markers to predict lymph node metastasis in patients with small (T1) invasive breast carcinomas.

Expression, purification, and characterization of secreted recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-6 in methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris

The mitogenic and metabolic activities of insulin-like growth factors (IGF) are modulated by a family of six high-affinity IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). This study describes the secretion and purification of the recombinant human IGFBP-6 expressed in methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. In this research, a multicopy expression plasmid pA-O815/3xIGFBP-6 containing 3 copies of human IGFBP-6 expression cassette was constructed and transformed into P. pastoris GS115. The encoding sequence of alpha-factor leading peptide fused in-frame at the 5' end of human IGFBP-6 open reading frame and led expressed IGFBP-6 into the secretory pathway. After transformed cells were induced with methanol, medium supernatant was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The two major protein bands of approximately 30 and approximately 18kDa were detected. The protein of approximately 30kDa was confirmed to be the glycosylated recombinant human IGFBP-6 (rhIGFBP-6), which was partially proteolyzed by protease Kex2 to produce a approximately 18kDa fragment. Approximately 95% homogeneity of the soluble form of 30kDa rhIGFBP-6 were achieved by two-step purification procedure using ion-exchange chromatography and then hydrophobic-interaction chromatography. The rhIGFBP-6 could be distributed to all of the cell body when cultured MDA-MB-231 cell with rhIGFBP-6 and the activities of rhIGFBP-6 were assayed by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, which revealed that rhIGFBP-6 inhibited IGF-II-stimulated cell proliferation. Our results demonstrated that functional rhIGFBP-6 can be produced in sufficient quantities by using P. pastoris for further structural and functional studies.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 is a marker for antiestrogen resistant human breast cancer cell lines but is not a major growth regulator

Antiestrogens target the estrogen receptor and counteract the growth stimulatory action of estrogen on human breast cancer. However, acquired resistance to antiestrogens is a major clinical problem in endocrine treatment of breast cancer patients. To mimic acquired resistance, we have used a model system with the antiestrogen sensitive human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and several antiestrogen resistant cell lines derived from the parental MCF-7 cell line. This model system was used to study the expression and possible involvement in resistant cell growth of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2). By an oligonucleotide based microarray, we compared the expression of mRNAs encoding insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 (IGFBP-1 to -6) in the parental MCF-7 cell line to three human breast cancer cell lines, resistant to the antiestrogen ICI 182,780 (Faslodex/Fulvestrant). Only IGFBP-2 mRNA was overexpressed in all three resistant cell lines. Thus, we compared the IGFBP-2 protein expression in MCF-7 cells to nine antiestrogen resistant breast cancer cell lines, resistant to either ICI 182,780 or tamoxifen or RU 58,668 and found that IGFBP-2 was overexpressed in all nine resistant cell lines. Three of the resistant cell lines, resistant to different antiestrogens, were selected for further studies and IGFBP-2 overexpression was demonstrated at the mRNA level as well as the intra- and extracellular protein level. The objective of this study was to examine if IGFBP-2 is involved in growth of antiestrogen resistant human breast cancer cells. Therefore, IGFBP-2 expression was inhibited by antisense oligonucletides and siRNA. Specific inhibition of IGFBP-2 protein expression was achieved in MCF-7 and the three selected antiestrogen resistant cell lines, but no effect on resistant cell growth was observed. Thus, we were able to establish IGFBP-2 as a marker for antiestrogen resistant breast cancer cell lines, although IGFBP-2 was not a major contributor to the resistant cell growth.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5): a critical member of the IGF axis

The six members of the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein family (IGFBP-1-6) are important components of the IGF (insulin-like growth factor) axis. In this capacity, they serve to regulate the activity of both IGF-I and -II polypeptide growth factors. The IGFBPs are able to enhance or inhibit the activity of IGFs in a cell- and tissue-specific manner. One of these proteins, IGFBP-5, also has an important role in controlling cell survival, differentiation and apoptosis. In this review, we report on the structural and functional features of the protein which are important for these effects. We also examine the regulation of IGFBP-5 expression and comment on its potential role in tumour biology, with special reference to work with breast cancer cells.

Steroid-modulated proliferation of human endometrial carcinoma cell lines: any role for insulin-like growth factor signaling?

OBJECTIVES

Estrogen-stimulated proliferation of the normal and malignant human endometrium is balanced by the differentiating properties of progesterone. This study evaluated the role of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling in steroid-induced modulation of endometrial cancer cell proliferation.

METHODS

We used the human endometrial, estrogen-responsive ECC-1 and progesterone-responsive PRAB-36 cell lines. Proliferation studies with IGFs in combination with either estrogen or progesterone were conducted. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) was evaluated.

RESULTS

Using the ECC-1 cell line, we observed that estrogen-induced proliferation is modulated via the IGF-receptor signaling pathway, and that IGF-1-induced stimulation of proliferation does not influence estrogen receptor signaling. Furthermore, expression of the main modulators of IGF action, the IGFBPs, was found to be regulated by estrogen and progesterone in both cell lines. IGFBP-4 was up-regulated by estrogen in the ECC-1 cell line, and IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-6 were down-regulated by progesterone in the PRAB-36 cell line.

CONCLUSION

Estrogen-induced stimulation of proliferation of ECC-1 endometrial cancer cells is partly achieved via IGF signaling. Furthermore, the IGFBPs are regulated by estrogens as well as progestagens and could potentially play a role in the modulation of endometrial cancer cell proliferation.

Gene expression studies provide clues to the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma: new evidence and a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Uterine leiomyomas are extremely common and a major cause of pelvic pain, bleeding, infertility, and the leading indication for hysterectomy. Familial and epidemiological studies provide compelling evidence that genetic alterations play an important role in leiomyoma development.

METHODS

Using Affymetrix U133A GeneChip we analysed expression profiles of 22,283 genes in paired samples of leiomyoma and adjacent normal myometrium. We compared our results with previously published data on gene expression in uterine leiomyoma and identified the overlapping gene alterations.

RESULTS

We detected 80 genes with average differences of > or = 2-fold and false discovery rates of < 5% (14 overexpressed and 66 underexpressed). A comparative analysis including eight previous gene expression studies revealed eight prominent genes (ADH1, ATF3, CRABP2, CYR61, DPT, GRIA2, IGF2, MEST) identified by at least five different studies, eleven genes (ALDH1, CD24, CTGF, DCX, DUSP1, FOS, GAGEC1, IGFBP6, PTGDS, PTGER3, TYMS) reported by four studies, twelve genes (ABCA, ANXA1, APM2, CCL21, CDKN1A, CRMP1, EMP1, ESR1, FY, MAP3K5, TGFBR2, TIMP3) identified by three studies, and 40 genes reported by two different studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Review of gene expression data revealed concordant changes in genes regulating retinoid synthesis, IGF metabolism, TGF-beta signaling and extracellular matrix formation. Gene expression studies provide clues to the relevant pathways of leiomyoma development.

Partitioning of IGFBP-5 actions in myogenesis: IGF-independent anti-apoptotic function

Igfbp5 is upregulated during the differentiation of several key cell lineages and in some tumours; the function of IGFBP-5 in these physiological and pathological situations is unknown. Since IGFBP-5 contains sequence motifs consistent with IGF-independent actions, the aim of these studies was to distinguish between IGF-dependent and -independent actions of IGFBP-5. Myc-tagged wild-type (termed wtIGFBP-5) and non-IGF binding mouse Igfbp5 (termed mutIGFBP-5) cDNAs were generated and used to transfect C2 myoblasts, a cell line that undergoes differentiation to myotubes in an IGF- and IGFBP-5-regulated manner. WtIGFBP-5, but not mutIGFBP-5, inhibited myogenesis, as assessed by cell morphology, MHC immunocytochemistry and caveolin 3 expression. However, both wt- and mutIGFBP-5 increased cell survival and decreased apoptosis, as indicated by decreased caspase-3 activity and cell surface annexin V binding. Further examination of apoptotic pathways revealed that wt- and mutIGFBP-5 ameliorated the increase in caspase-9 but not the modest increase in caspase-8 during myogenesis, suggesting that IGFBP-5 increased cell survival via inhibition of intrinsic cell death pathways in an IGF-independent manner. The relationship between IGF-II and IGFBP-5 was examined further by cotransfecting C2 myoblasts with antisense Igf2 (previously established to induce increased cell death) and Igfbp5; both wt- and mutIGFBP-5 conferred equivalent protection against the decreased cell survival and increased apoptosis. In conclusion, we have partitioned IGFBP-5 action in myogenesis into IGF-dependent inhibition of differentiation and IGF-independent cell survival. Our findings suggest that, by regulation of cell survival, IGFBP-5 has an autonomous role in the regulation of cell fate in development and in tumourigenesis.

The insulin-like growth factor system in advanced breast cancer

Despite improvements in therapy, the prognosis for advanced breast cancer is poor and a search for new treatment targets and key regulators of tumour growth is warranted. Extensive data are available on the importance of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in growth regulation of breast cancer cell lines in vitro, indicating that the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), IGF-I (and IGF-II) function as survival factors, while IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 may act as a growth inhibitor. There is a tight link between the growth regulatory pathways of IGFs and oestrogens in oestrogen-receptor(OR)-positive breast cancer cells. In vivo studies indicate a role of IGF-I and IGF-IR in breast cancer development. However, the importance of the IGF system in metastatic and highly aggressive breast tumours in vivo is not clear, and therapeutic strategies designed to interrupt IGF signalling have not yet proved to be an effective treatment modality in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 modulates podocyte mitogenesis

To study the role of insulin-like growth factors (IGF) in podocyte maturation, we isolated and characterized fetal visceral glomerular epithelial cells from human kidneys obtained at 8-18 weeks gestation. Cells were identified as podocyte lineage by their cobblestone morphology and immunoreactivity with synaptopodin, Wilms tumor-1 suppressor gene product (WT-1), complement receptor CR1, and cytoskeletal proteins smooth muscle actin and vimentin. Stimulation of the podocyte cell monolayers with IGF-II resulted in a slight increase in mitogenesis, an effect that was concentration and time dependent and abrogated by co-incubation with exogenous IGF binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2). Western blot analysis of conditioned media revealed that cultured podocytes expressed endogenous IGFBP-2 exclusively. IGF-II stimulation enhanced IGFBP-2 production in a dose- and time-dependent fashion and was associated with an increase in IGFBP-2 mRNA production. These data demonstrate that IGF-II-stimulated IGFBP-2 production appears to inhibit the mitogenic effect of IGF-II, and may have an autocrine effect on the maturation, differentiation, and survival of fetal podocytes.

SERUM INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I AND INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR BINDING PROTEIN-3 FOLLOWING CHEMOTHERAPY FOR ADVANCED BREAST CANCER

BACKGROUND

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) appear to influence the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro, and epidemiological studies suggest higher serum IGF-I levels increase the risk of breast cancer. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 have therefore been measured in women with advanced breast cancer to determine if changes in serum levels predict the response to treatment by chemotherapy.

METHODS

Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were measured in 14 patients before and after 1 week of chemotherapy. Changes in serum levels were compared with duration of survival.

RESULTS

Mean basal serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were not significantly different between patients with advanced breast cancer and controls or women with early breast cancer. Serum IGFBP-3 fell significantly 1 week after initiation of chemotherapy. Patient survival was not significantly related to baseline IGF-I or IGFBP-3 levels, but when the fall in serum levels 1 week after starting treatment was expressed either as absolute change or as a percentage of baseline, those individuals with a decrease in IGFBP-3 greater than the median had significantly poorer survival (median survival 5.5 months vs 18 months). These results were independent of other prognostic variables such as previous disease-free survival, and were also unaffected by the change in serum albumin with treatment. The fall in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 with chemotherapy mainly occurred in those with hepatic metastases, but prediction of survival was explained solely by the extent of the fall in IGFBP-3.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study has shown that serum IGFBP-3 falls significantly following initiation of chemotherapy and the extent of reduction significantly predicts the response to treatment.

Induction of senescence-associated growth inhibitors in the tumor-suppressive function of retinoids

Retinoids, physiological regulators of cell growth and differentiation, are used in the treatment or chemoprevention of several malignant diseases. This class of compounds can induce growth arrest or apoptosis in tumor cells. Permanent growth arrest of retinoid-treated cells is often assumed to result from retinoid-induced differentiation. Recent studies in breast carcinoma and neuroblastoma cells demonstrated that retinoids can stop tumor cell growth through the program of senescence rather than differentiation. Retinoid-induced tumor suppression is associated with the induction of multiple intracellular and secreted growth-inhibitory proteins. Most of these proteins were also found to be upregulated in senescent cells. The induction of senescence-associated growth inhibitors appears to be an indirect effect of retinoids. Elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for the induction of growth-inhibitory genes in retinoid-treated cells should help in developing agents that would mimic the antiproliferative effect of retinoids in retinoid-insensitive cancers.

Dexamethasone changes the composition of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in the newborn mouse ileum

BACKGROUND

Early postnatal glucocorticoid exposure accelerates the maturation of the bowel mucosa but results in bowel wall thinning in the newborn mouse ileum and increases the risk of focal ileal perforation in extremely premature infants. We have previously demonstrated a redistribution of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) from the submucosa in control animals to the distal villi of those treated with early postnatal dexamethasone, implicating IGF-I as an important mediator of dexamethasone's capacity to alter tissue growth. To investigate the possibility that IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) might contribute to this process, we characterized the localization and abundance of IGFBP peptides and mRNAs in the same model.

METHODS

Newborn mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of dexamethasone (l microg/g) or phosphate-buffered saline and then were euthanized on day 3 of life. Their ileums were harvested and prepared for microscopy. Tissue sections of ileum from both treatment conditions were processed in parallel for immunolocalization of each of the six IGFBP peptides and for in situ hybridization of each of the six IGFBP transcripts.

RESULTS

Transcripts for IGFBP-1, -2, and -3 were highly abundant and ubiquitous the ileal mucosa, whereas transcripts for IGFBP-4, -5, and -6 were less abundant in epithelial cells. There were no differences in abundance between control and dexamethasone-treated ileum with regard to mRNA localization or abundance for IGFBP-1, -2, -3, and -6. In contrast, mRNA transcripts for IGFBP-4 and -5 were modestly increased with dexamethasone treatment (although only IGFBP-4 was significant). Strikingly different patterns of IGFBP immunolocalization were observed between control and dexamethasone-treated animals. IGFBP-1, -2, -3, and -5 were not detected in control ileum, whereas IGFBP-4 and -6 were both present in the mucosa. In contrast, dexamethasone treatment resulted in dramatic mucosal increases in IGFBP-2, -3, -4, and -5, paralleling the changing distribution of IGF-I that we previously reported.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these findings further implicate the IGF system as an important participant in dexamethasone-induced maturation in the newborn mouse ileum.

Protective role of retinoic acid from antiproliferative action of TNF-alpha on lung epithelial cells

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is a key molecule in lung inflammation. We have established the insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) as a marker associated with the growth arrest of lung alveolar epithelial cells (AEC). Here, we studied the effects of TNF-alpha on AEC proliferation and the putative protective role of retinoic acid (RA). We documented an antiproliferative action of TNF-alpha that was reversible only at 24 h and then became irreversible with induction of apoptosis. TNF-alpha treatment was associated with a dramatic induction of IGFBP-2. To discover the mechanism of action of IGFBP-2, we further tested the mitogenic potential of IGF-I to counteract TNF-alpha inhibition. Addition of IGF-I to the TNF-alpha containing medium did not stimulate proliferation, whereas des(1-3)IGF-I, an analog of IGF-I that bears low affinity for IGFBPs, was able to restore cell growth. Interestingly, we observed that RA abrogated TNF-alpha-induced growth arrest and that this effect was associated with a dramatic decrease in IGFBP-2 expression. These results suggest a protective role of RA from TNF-alpha antiproliferative action, through mechanisms involving modulation of IGFBP-2 production.

Expression of IGF-II, IGFBP-2, -5, and -6 in meningiomas with different brain invasiveness

Meningiomas show clinical characteristics that vary from very benign to clearly malignant with rapid invasive growth and metastases. This study was undertaken to analyze the expression of members in the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in meningiomas showing different degrees of brain invasion. Tissue samples from 16 meningiomas were analyzed for members in the IGF family by mRNA in situ hybridization. The meningiomas comprised three groups: I. Benign meningiomas that did not interfere with the arachnoid plane and showed no edema. II. Benign meningiomas that did not respect the arachnoid plane and tumors that caused edema. III. Aggressive and malignant meningiomas that caused edema and showed brain invasion. IGF-II mRNA was identified in all tumors analyzed, and with a clear increase in expression observed in group III tumors. IGFBP-2 mRNA was detected in equal levels in all tumors. IGFBP-5 mRNA levels were highest in the benign group without edema (I) of meningiomas whereas IGFBP-6 mRNA levels were highest in the group with brain invasion (III). Brain invasiveness in degrees from respect of the arachnoid membrane progressing to frank brain invasion correlated with increases in IGF-II and IGFBP-6 expression. High levels of IGFBP-6 may not inhibit IGF-II actions, which is known to be growth promoting in tumors. Instead, IGFBP-6 appears to have an importance for the characteristics of edema and brain invasion in meningiomas.

Effect of breast surgery on serum levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGF binding protein-3) in women with benign and malignant breast lesions

BACKGROUND

There is evidence that insulin-like growth factors play a role in the development of breast cancer. Antiestrogens reduce circulating levels of IGF-I, but the influence of other breast cancer treatments, including surgery, is unknown and is investigated in this study.

METHODS

Circulating serum concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) were measured before and after breast surgery in 31 patients with breast cancer and 12 controls with benign breast lesions. Serum albumin was measured as a marker of the nonspecific metabolic effect of surgery.

RESULTS

Serum IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-3, and albumin fell 24 hours after surgery for breast cancer but largely normalized again over the next 7 days. The fall in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 was not significant when the change in serum albumin was used as a covariate, suggesting a nonspecific effect of surgery. However, the reduction in IGF-II remained significant when adjusted for albumin and was greater after lumpectomy of malignant tumors (-8 +/- 2%) compared with benign disease (2 +/- 2%, P = .001). The fall in IGF-II was significantly related to the size of the removed tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Breast cancer may directly influence the serum concentration of IGF-II, possibly by direct tumor production.

Role of p53 family members in apoptosis

p53-mediated apoptosis involves multiple mechanisms. A number of p53-regulated apoptosis-related genes have been identified. Some of these genes encode proteins that are important in controlling the integrity of mitochondria while the others code for membrane death receptors. p53 may also induce apoptosis by interfering with the growth factor-mediated survival signals. Although the transactivation-deficient p53 can induce apoptosis, evidence suggests that both the transcription-dependent and independent functions are needed for full apoptotic activity. p73 and p63 are two other members of the p53 family that show homology to p53 in their respective transactivation, DNA-binding and oligomerization domains. Both p73 and p63 transactivate p53-regulated promoters and induce apoptosis. Evidence suggests that both p73 and p63 may mediate apoptosis via some of the same mechanisms that are utilized by p53. However, both p73 and p63 exhibit features that are different from those of p53. Hence, both p73 and p63 are predicted to mediate apoptosis via mechanisms that are completely distinct from those engaged by p53. J. Cell. Physiol. 182:171-181, 2000. Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Novel aspects of the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), and IGFBP proteases regulate somatic growth and cellular proliferation both in vivo and in vitro. IGFs are potent mitogens whose actions are determined by the availability of free IGFs to interact with IGF receptors. IGFBPs comprise a family of six proteins that bind IGFs with high affinity and specificity and thereby regulate IGF-dependent actions. IGFBPs have also recently emerged as IGF-independent regulators of cell growth. Several IGFBP association proteins have been discovered recently which can affect IGFBP action. Cleavage of IGFBPs by specific proteases modulates levels of free IGFs and IGFBPs and thereby their actions. IGFBP-related proteins (IGFBP-rPs) are an emerging group of proteins which bind IGFs with low affinity and also play important roles in cell growth and differentiation. The IGFBPs appear to have emerging roles in the mechanisms underlying human cancer. The GH-IGF-IGFBP axis is complex and powerful. Future research on its physiology promises exciting insights into cell biology as well as advancements in the treatment of a wide range of disease states including cancer, diabetes, vascular disease, asthma, and growth disorders.

Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in benign and malignant breast disease

BACKGROUND

The insulin-like growth factors IGF-I and IGF-II and their major binding protein IGFBP-3 influence the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro. Some benign non-breast tumours appear to be associated with increased serum IGFBP-3 levels which would tend to reduce bioactive-free IGF concentrations. The present study investigates whether this pattern also occurs in neoplastic breast disease.

METHODS

Serum IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 were measured by specific radioassay in 12 women with benign breast disease, 31 patients with breast cancer and in age-matched controls.

RESULTS

The mean (+/-SD) serum IGFBP-3 concentration was higher in benign breast disease (3.6+/-0.7 mg/L) than in controls (2.7+/-0.6 mg/L) or in breast cancer patients (2.7+/-0.5 mg/L) (P = 0.001). Serum IGF-I and IGF-II levels were not significantly different among the groups. However, the index of free unbound IGF measured as the molar ratio of IGF-I plus IGF-II divided by IGFBP-3 was significantly lower in benign breast disease than in the other subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Either the production or clearance of IGFBP-3 is altered in benign breast disease so that there is less free IGF available to cells. This may serve to protect against malignant transformation in patients with benign breast disorders.

Androgen receptor up-regulates insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) expression in a human prostate cancer xenograft

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding proteins (IGFBPs) are important modulators of IGF action in many tissues including human prostate. IGFBPs and the androgen receptor (AR) are expressed in CWR22, an androgen-dependent epithelial cell human CaP xenograft that retains biological characteristics of human CaPs, including regression following androgen withdrawal and recurrent growth of AR-containing cells in the absence of testicular androgens beginning several months after castration. Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses demonstrated that IGFBP-5 is androgen-regulated in CWR22. IGFBP-5 messenger RNA (mRNA) decreased by 90% following castration of tumor-bearing mice compared with noncastrate androgen-stimulated mice. Testosterone treatment of CWR22 tumor-bearing mice 6 or 12 days after castration increased IGFBP-5 mRNA 10- to 12-fold. Levels of other IGFBP mRNAs did not change following androgen withdrawal and replacement. IGFBP-5 protein in tumor extracts bound 125I-labeled IGF-I in ligand blot assays and the amounts of IGFBP-5 measured by immunoblotting paralleled the levels of IGFBP-5 mRNA. Androgen-induced expression of IGFBP-5 was at a maximum level within 24 h after testosterone replacement, whereas the major increase in cell proliferation as measured by Ki-67 immunostaining occurred between 24-48 h. This time course suggested IGFBP-5 may be a mediator of androgen-induced growth of CWR22. In tumors that recurred several months following castration, IGFBP-5 mRNA and protein increased to levels that approached those in androgen-stimulated CWR22 tumors from noncastrate mice. IGFBP-5 immunohistochemical staining of prostate tissue specimens from patients was stronger in androgen-dependent and androgen-independent CaP than in areas of intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). IGFBP-5 mRNA in these specimens was localized predominantly to stromal cells and IGFBP-5 protein to epithelial cell membranes.

IGF-I and retinoic acid regulate the distribution pattern of IGFBPs synthesized by the canine mammary tumor cell line CMT-U335

Stromal-epithelial interactions modulate growth and development in normal and neoplastic mammary gland. The release of IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) by the stromal compartment of the mammary gland may play a modulating role in the IGF-mediated proliferation of mammary epithelium. Therefore, the IGFBP-expression pattern of the canine mammary tumor cell line U335 (CMT-U335), which has a mesenchymal phenotype, was determined. In addition, the effects of IGFs and all trans retinoic acid (RA) on DNA synthesis, and IGFBP secretion and distribution were examined. The IGFBPs secreted by CMT-U335 were characterized as IGFBP-2, -4, -5, and -6. Moreover, CMT-U335 appeared to be a suitable mammary mesenchymal cell line for study of the regulatory factors of IGFBP expression and the mechanism(s) involved. IGFs and RA enhanced IGFBP concentrations in cell-conditioned medium with IGF-I and RA having an additive effect. The IGF-I-stimulated DNA synthesis, however, was inhibited by RA. The difference between IGF-I and RA was an enhanced IGFBP-5 binding to the extracellular matrix (ECM) by RA, whereas IGF-I reduced binding to the ECM. Because high doses of insulin had no significant effects on IGFBP concentrations in the medium, it is concluded that IGF-I-induced changes in IGFBP concentrations are not mediated by type-IIGF receptors and may be the consequence of IGFBP redistribution.

Cellular actions of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), and the IGFBP proteases are involved in the regulation of somatic growth and cellular proliferation both in vivo and in vitro. IGFs are potent mitogenic agents whose actions are determined by the availability of free IGFs to interact with the IGF receptors. IGFBPs comprise a family of proteins that bind IGFs with high affinity and specificity and thereby regulate IGF-dependent actions. IGFBPs have recently emerged as IGF-independent regulators of cell growth. Various IGFBP association proteins as well as cleavage of IGFBPs by specific proteases modulate levels of free IGFs and IGFBPs. The ubiquity and complexity of the IGF axis promise exciting discoveries and applications for the future.

Effect of fenretinide on plasma IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in early breast cancer patients

Growing evidence substantiates the role of the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) system in breast tumorigenesis. Retinoids have been shown to affect the IGF system several experimental models. We extended our previous data on plasma IGF-1 modulation by the synthetic retinoid fenretinide (4-HPR) and investigated the effect of the retinoid on plasma IGF binding protein (BP)-3, the major protein binding IGFs. IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were measured on plasma samples obtained at randomization and after an interval of approximately 1 year, from 39 and 33 stage 1 breast cancer patients assigned to receive 4-HPR, and from 39 and 34 untreated controls, respectively. There was a significant decrease in plasma IGF-1 after 4-HPR administration, whereas no significant change was observed in controls. The effect of 4-HPR on IGF-1 levels was modified by menopausal status, inasmuch as the decrease in IGF-1 was particularly pronounced in pre-menopausal women, whereas the reverse was observed in untreated controls. By contrast, treatment induced an increase of IGFBP-3 with respect to controls. As a result of this dual effect, the bioavailability of IGF-1 for interaction with receptors at target levels further decreased in pre-menopausal 4-HPR treated patients compared with controls, suggesting that retinoid administration may result in lower concentrations of biologically active IGF-1. Our findings may have important implications for the clinical preventive activity of this retinoid.

Modulation of the insulin-like growth factor-I system by N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-retinamide in human breast cancer cell lines

The potent mitogenic activity of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) on breast epithelium is inhibited by retinoic acid in oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer cell lines. We studied and compared the effects of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-retinamide (4-HPR) in terms of growth inhibition and modulation of the IGF-I system in ER+ (MCF-7) and oestrogen receptor-negative (ER-) (MDA-MB231) breast cancer cell lines. Treatment with 1-10 microM 4-HPR for up to 96 h induced a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of proliferation in both breast cancer cell lines. Induction of apoptosis was much more evident in MCF-7 than in MDA-MB231 cells (30-40% compared with 0-5% respectively at 5 microM for 48 h). Exogenous human recombinant IGF-I (hr-IGF-I)-stimulated cell proliferation was abolished by 1 microM 4-HPR in MCF-7 cells. Immunoreactive IGF-I-like protein concentration in conditioned medium was reduced by 38% in MCF-7 and by 90% in MDA-MB231 cell lines following treatment for 48 h with 5 microM 4-HPR. Western ligand blot analysis showed a reduction of IGF-binding protein 4 (BP4) and BP5 by 67% and 87%, respectively, in MCF-7, whereas IGF-BP4 and -BP1 were reduced by approximately 20% in MDA-MB231 cells. Exposure to 5 microM 4-HPR for 48 h inhibited [125I]IGF-I binding and Scatchard analysis revealed a decrease of more than 50% in maximum binding capacity (Bmax) and a reduced receptor number/cell in both cancer cell lines. Steady-state type I IGF-receptor mRNA levels were reduced by approximately 30% in both tumour cell lines. We conclude that 4-HPR induces a significant down-regulation of the IGF-I system in both ER+ (MCF-7) and ER- (MDA-MB231) breast cancer cell lines. These findings suggest that, in our model, interference with the ER signalling pathway is not the only mechanism of breast cancer growth inhibition by 4-HPR.

All-trans retinoic acid converts E2F into a transcriptional suppressor and inhibits the growth of normal human bronchial epithelial cells through a retinoic acid receptor- dependent signaling pathway

Retinoids, including retinol and retinoic acid derivatives, maintain the normal growth and differentiation of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells and are under investigation as agents for lung cancer prevention. In this study, we examined the biologic effects of retinoids on normal HBE cells and the molecular mechanisms of retinoid actions. At a dose of 10(-6) M, all-trans retinoic acid (t-RA) suppressed the proliferation of normal HBE cells, which accumulated in the G0 phase. No evidence of programmed cell death was observed. The class of retinoid nuclear receptor that mediated the growth arrest was explored. Normal HBE cell growth was suppressed by a retinoid that selectively activates retinoic acid receptors but not by one that activates retinoid X receptors. The E2F transcription factor has demonstrated a role in G0 entry through transcriptional suppression of genes that induce cell cycle progression. To investigate the role of E2F in retinoid signaling, transient transfection assays were performed using reporter plasmids containing E2F-binding sites. Findings from these experiments suggested that t-RA treatment converted E2F into a transcriptional suppressor. Supporting this possibility, t-RA inhibited the expression of the E2F target genes B-myb, cyclin A, and cyclin E. Further, t-RA increased the levels of nuclear E2F-4, p107, and p130 and enhanced the binding of E2F-4 to p107, which have been associated with the conversion of E2F into a transcriptional suppressor in other cells. These findings point to retinoic acid receptor- and E2F-dependent pathways as potential mediators of retinoid-induced growth arrest in normal HBE cells and have implications for the use of retinoids in clinical trials on the prevention of lung cancer.

Retinoic acid regulates the expression of insulin-like growth factors I and II in osteoblasts

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF) I and II are the most abundant growth factors secreted by skeletal cells, and retinoic acid has many important action on cell differentiation and osteoblastic function. Some of these actions may be mediated by changes in the expression of IGF I and II since IGFs are known to enhance the differentiated function of the osteoblast. We examined the effects of all-transretinoic acid on IGF I and IGF II expression in cultures of osteoblast-enriched cells from 22 day fetal rat calvariae (Ob cells). Retinoic acid caused a transient increase in IGF I and IGF II mRNA levels after 6 h, but after 24 and 48 h of treatment a dose-dependent decrease was observed. Cycloheximide prevented the inhibitory effect of retinoic acid. Retinoic acid treatment for 48 h decreased IGF I polypeptide levels in the culture medium. In contrast, 48 h exposure to retinoic acid increased IGF II polypeptide levels, possible due to increased levels of IGF binding protein-6. The decay of IGF I and II mRNA in transcriptionally arrested Ob cells was similar in control and retinoic acid-treated cells. After 2 h, retinoic acid increased the rates of IGF I and II transcription, as determined by a nuclear run-on assay and heterogeneous nuclear RNA levels, but after 24 h retinoic acid was inhibitory. Retinoic acid had opposite effects to IGFs in osteoblasts and inhibited DNA and collagen synthesis. In conclusion, following a small transient increase, retinoic acid causes a pronounced decrease in IGF I and IGF II mRNA expression in Ob cells. However, treatment with retinoic acid causes a decrease in IGF I and an increase in IGF II polypeptide levels. These changes in the IGF/IGFBP axis may be relevant to the mechanism of action of retinoic acid in bone.

Growth factor regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-6 expression in osteoblasts

Previously we have shown that transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) 1, basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) BB inhibit the synthesis of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) II, but their effects on IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-6 in osteoblast cultures are not known. IGFBP-6 binds IGF II with high affinity and prevents IGF II-mediated effects, so that a possible mode of regulating the IGF II available to bone cells would be by changing the levels of IGFBP-6. To enhance our understanding of the actions of growth factors on the IGF II axis in bone, we tested the effects of TGF beta 1, basic FGF, PDGF BB, IGF I, and IGF II on the expression of IGFBP-6 in cultures of osteoblast-enriched cells from 22 day fetal rat calvariae (Ob cells). Treatment of Ob cells with TGF beta 1 caused a time- and dose-dependent decrease in IGFBP-6 mRNA levels, as determined by Northern blot analysis. The effect was maximal after 48 h and observed with TGF beta 1 concentrations of 0.04 nM and higher. TGF beta 1 also decreased IGFBP-6 polypeptide levels in the medium, as determined by Western immunoblot analysis. Cycloheximide at 3.6 microM decreased IGFBP-6 transcripts and prevented the effect of TGF beta 1. The decay of IGFBP-6 mRNA in transcriptionally arrested Ob cells was not modified by TGF beta 1. In addition, TGF beta 1 decreased the rates of IGFBP-6 transcription as determined by a nuclear run-on assay. In contrast, basic FGF, PDGF BB, IGF I, and IGF II did not change IGFBP-6 mRNA levels in Ob cells. In conclusion, TGF beta 1 inhibits IGFBP-6 expression in Ob cells by transcriptional mechanisms. Since IGFBP-6 binds IGF II and prevents its effects on bone cells, decreased synthesis of IGFBP-6 induced by TGF beta 1 could be a local feedback mechanism to increase the amount of IGF II available in the bone microenvironment.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 and -5 are regulated by transforming growth factor-beta and retinoic acid in the human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line PC-3

The family of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) can affect cell proliferation by modulating the availability and bioactivity of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), or by mechanisms independent of IGFs. To understand better the role(s) of IGFBPs in prostate growth and malignancy, we examined the regulation of IGFBPs in PC-3 cells, a human prostatic adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line that is androgen-insensitive. Both transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and retinoic acid (RA), known inhibitors of cellular proliferation, significantly changed the IGFBP profile in PC-3 cells. In cells that were treated with transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGF-beta 2) (0.5-10 ng/mL), IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-5 protein and mRNA increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. At 10 ng/mL TGF-beta, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-5 protein concentrations were 14- and 9-fold, respectively, over that of controls. Cells treated with RA (0-1 microM) also showed a time- and dose-dependent increase in IGFBP-3 protein and mRNA levels. However, in contrast to TGF-beta 2, high concentrations of RA (1 microM) negatively regulated IGFBP-5 expression, with IGFBP-5 mRNA levels downregulated to 20% of that of the control, and protein levels were decreased by 50%. Since both TGF-beta and RA increased IGFBP-3 expression and both are known to inhibit prostate cell growth, we speculate that the inhibition of growth is mediated, at least in part, by IGFBP-3.

All-trans-retinoic acid increases transforming growth factor-beta2 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 expression through a retinoic acid receptor-alpha-dependent signaling pathway

Retinoids, including retinol and retinoic acid derivatives, maintain the normal growth and differentiation of human bronchial epithelial cells. The signaling pathways through which retinoids mediate these effects have not been defined. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) gene family (beta1-3) were examined as potential components of the retinoid signaling pathway in normal human bronchial epithelial cells. All-trans-retinoic acid (t-RA) increased the levels of TGF-beta2 and IGFBP-3 mRNA and of secreted TGF-beta and IGFBP-3 proteins. An antagonist of retinoic acid receptor-alpha, LG100629, abrogated the increase in TGF-beta2 and IGFBP-3 mRNA levels induced by t-RA. t-RA increased IGFBP-3 mRNA levels transiently from 1 to 6 h, and subsequently a sustained increase began at 72 h, which coincided with the appearance of active TGF-beta in the media. Treatment with TGF-beta2 increased IGFBP-3 mRNA levels, but treatment with latency-associated peptide, which inactivates secreted TGF-beta, did not abrogate the effect of t-RA on IGFBP-3 expression. These findings provide evidence that t-RA increased TGF-beta2 and IGFBP-3 expression through an retinoic acid receptor-alpha-dependent pathway, and the increase in IGFBP-3 expression by t-RA did not require activation of the TGF-beta pathway by autocrine or paracrine mechanisms.

Bcl-X(L) expression and its downregulation by a novel retinoid in breast carcinoma cells

We have recently found a novel retinoid, 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxphenyl]-2-naphthalene carboxylic acid (CD437), which induces G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human breast carcinoma (HBC) cells (Oncogene 11, 493-504, 1995). CD437 downregulates the expression of a number of proteins which antagonize apoptosis. bcl-X(L), a homologue of bcl-2, antagonizes apoptosis, while bcl-X(S) enhances apoptosis. We have found that estrogen receptor (ER)-negative HBCs express higher levels of bcl-X(L) and significantly lower levels of bcl-2 than their ER-positive counterparts. Neither cell type expresses bcl-X(S). The addition of CD437 (1 microM) results in a fourfold downregulation of bcl-X(L) mRNA and protein levels followed by apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. CD437 concentrations as low as 10 nM cause a significant reduction in both bcl-X mRNA and bcl-X(L) protein expression. CD437-dependent downregulation of bcl-X mRNA and bcl-X(L) protein expression occurs within 24 h of CD437 addition to the cells. Retinoic acid does not effect bcl-X mRNA or bcl-X(L) protein expression. CD437 is a potent inducer of apoptosis in a number of breast carcinoma cells lines and downregulates the expression of a number of proteins which antagonize apoptosis.

Retinoic acid stimulates the transcription of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-6 in skeletal cells

Retinoic acid has important actions on cell differentiation and osteoblastic function, and some of these actions may be mediated by changes in the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis. Skeletal cells synthesize IGF I and II and the six known IGF binding proteins (IGFBP). IGFBP-6 binds IGF II with high affinity and prevents IGF II-mediated effects. In fibroblasts, IGFBP-6 levels are regulated by retinoic acid, and we postulated that retinoic acid may regulate IGF II in bone by altering IGFBP-6 synthesis. We examined the effect of retinoic acid on IGFBP-6 expression in cultures of osteoblast-enriched cells from 22-day fetal rat calvariae (Ob cells). Retinoic acid caused a time- and dose-dependent increase in IGFBP-6 mRNA levels, as determined by Northern blot analysis. The effect was maximal after 48 h of treatment and observed with retinoic acid at concentrations of 10 nM to 1 microM. Retinoic acid increased IGFBP-6 polypeptide levels in the culture medium, as determined by Western immunoblot analysis. Cycloheximide at 3.6 microM slightly decreased IGFBP-6 transcripts but did not prevent the stimulatory effect of retinoic acid. The decay of IGFBP-6 mRNA in transcriptionally arrested Ob cells was similar in control and retinoic acid-treated cells, and retinoic acid increased the rates of IGFBP-6 transcription, as determined by nuclear run on assays. In conclusion, retinoic acid enhances IGFBP-6 expression in Ob cells by transcriptional mechanisms. Since IGFBP-6 prevents the effects of IGF II, increased synthesis of IGFBP-6 could mediate selected actions of retinoic acid in bone.

The role of the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins and the IGFBP proteases in modulating IGF action

Over the past few years, there has been an explosion of data in the scientific literature regarding the various components of the IGF axis. IGFBPs and related molecules are now believed to be critical elements in numerous cellular processes and key factors in several disease states related to abnormal tissue and somatic growth. Recently, the BP-Prs were included in this complex system, and their importance is being unraveled. The upcoming years will undoubtedly bring even more information on the molecular biology of these key cellular regulators. These discoveries are likely to lead to better understanding of growth and cellular regulation and to development of novel therapeutic approaches to a variety of diseases.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) and their regulatory dynamics

The IGFBPs are a family of homologous proteins that have co-evolved with the IGFs and that confer upon the IGF regulatory system both functional and tissue specificity. IGFBPs are not merely carrier proteins for IGFs, but hold a central position in IGF ligand-receptor interactions through influences on both the bioavailability and distribution of IGFs in the extracellular environment. In addition, IGFBPs appear to have intrinsic biological activity independent of IGFs. The current status of research on IGFBPs is reviewed herein. Following a brief introduction to the entire IGF/IGFBP system, separate sections for each of the six cloned mammalian IGFBPs, the most extensive for IGFBP3, cover selected topics that emphasize the dynamics of IGFBPs--that is, their regulation in cells, their functionally important post-translational modifications, and their interactions in the cellular microenvironment--and how these dynamics influence physiological function.

Inhibition of cellular proliferation and modulation of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins by retinoids in a bovine mammary epithelial cell line

Retinoids are potent inhibitors of growth and tumor progression in many mammary carcinoma cell lines, though regulation of growth in nontumorigenic mammary epithelial cells by retinoids is less clear. Here, we have characterized the inhibition of MAC-T (a nontransformed bovine mammary epithelial cell line) cellular proliferation by retinoids and their role in regulating insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs). Retinoic acid (RA) (100 nM) was a potent inhibitor of MAC-T cell proliferation. Retinol was 10-100 times less effective. Neither retinoid could completely arrest growth at noncytotoxic concentrations. Retinoic acid inhibited cellular proliferation by 1 h (P < .05), but inhibition was fivefold greater by 24 h (P < .01). This second stage of growth inhibition (after 12 h) was dependent upon protein synthesis. However, RA-induced inhibition of cellular proliferation did not persist, with thymidine incorporation increasing toward control levels by 4 days in culture. Retinoic acid was less effective in inhibiting thymidine incorporation when cells were stimulated with insulin, des(1-3) IGF-I, or Long(R3) IGF-I when compared to cells stimulated with native IGF-I or serum. Inhibition of proliferation by RA was associated with increased levels of IGFBP-2 in conditioned media and in plasma membrane preparations. Treatment with insulin or des(1-3) IGF-I resulted in the appearance of IGFBP-3 in conditioned media and on the cell surface. However, RA significantly reduced IGFBP-3 levels in conditioned media and eliminated IGFBP-3 associated with the plasma membrane. Thus, RA is a potent but transient inhibitor of bovine mammary epithelial cell proliferation, and this growth inhibition is correlated with increased IGFBP-2 accumulation and inhibition of IGF-I stimulated IGFBP-3 protein secretion.

Insulin-like growth factor-I and epidermal growth factor regulate insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT

The human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT has a basal phenotype and secretes an insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein, IGFBP-3, which modulates its IGF-I response. Keratinocytes are highly responsive to mitogenic stimulation by IGF-I and epidermal growth factor (EGF), but the effect of these growth factors on IGFBP secretion by keratinocytes is not known. We investigated the effects of IGF-I and EGF, as well as three other skin-growth regulators, retinoic acid, basic fibroblast growth factor, and dexamethasone, on mitogenic stimulation and IGFBP-3 production in HaCaT cells. IGF-I and EGF were strongly mitogenic, whereas retinoic acid, basic fibroblast growth factor, and dexamethasone were not significantly mitogenic. IGF-I increased the level of IGFBP-3 in cell-conditioned medium by up to twofold, whereas EGF caused a twentyfold reduction in IGFBP-3. Retinoic acid and basic fibroblast growth factor had only minor effects on IGFBP-3 and dexamethasone had no effect. IGF-I stimulation of IGFBP-3 did not involve increases in IGFBP-3 mRNA; however, EGF, consistent with its effect on IGFBP-3 protein, caused a fivefold reduction in IGFBP-3 mRNA. In summary, EGF profoundly inhibited IGFBP-3 synthesis in basal keratinocytes, whereas IGF-I increased IGFBP-3 levels by a posttranscriptional mechanism. We hypothesize that by inhibiting IGFBP-3 production in basal keratinocytes, epidermal mitogens such as EGF might stimulate epidermal growth indirectly by increasing local IGF-I availability.

Cell polarity of the insulin-like growth factor system in human intestinal epithelial cells. Unique apical sorting of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-6 in differentiated human colon cancer cells

In this study, we have used enterocyte-like differentiated HT29-D4 human colonic carcinoma cells cultured in a glucose-free medium (HT29-D4-GAL cells) on semi-permeable supports in order to investigate the polarity of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system. We report that these cells secrete endogenous IGF-II predominantly (66%) from the basolateral cell surface where type I IGF receptors are almost all (> 96%) localized. HT29-D4-GAL cells also secrete IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) -2, -4, and -6 as evidenced by Western ligand and immunoblot analyses of conditioned medium. IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-4 are secreted primarily into the basolateral side (71 and 87%, respectively), whereas IGFBP-6 is targeted to the apical surface (76%) as a possible consequence of an active sorting. Finally, HT29-D4-GAL cells are found to display responses to IGF-II added to the basolateral but not the apical membrane side in terms of intracellular tyrosine phosphorylation and long-term stimulation of amino acid uptake. This study indicates (a) that IGF-II is potentially capable of autocrine regulation on the basolateral side of HT29-D4-GAL cell, and (b) that IGFBP-6 has a unique pattern of secretory polarity. It supports the concept that a differential sorting of the various forms of IGFBPs might play a modulatory role in the maintenance of a functional polarity in the differentiated HT29-D4-GAL cells.

Transforming growth factor-beta-induced cell growth inhibition in human breast cancer cells is mediated through insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 action

Most estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer cells, including Hs578T cells, express mRNAs encoding insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP)-3, as well as transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptors. Our previous studies (Oh, Y., Muller, H. L., Lamson, G., and Rosenfeld, R. G. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 14964-14971; Oh, Y., Muller, H. L., Pham, H. M., and Rosenfeld, R. G. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 26045-26048) have demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect of exogenous IGFBP-3 on Hs578T cell growth and existence of IGFBP-3-specific receptors that may mediate those direct inhibitory effect of IGFBP-3. TGF-beta is also a potent growth inhibitor in human breast cancer cells in vitro and regulates IGFBP-3 production in different cell systems, suggesting that IGFBP-3 is a major anti-proliferative factor and a key element for TGF-beta-induced growth inhibition in human breast cancer cells. In support of this hypothesis, we have demonstrated using Hs578T cells that: 1) TGF-beta stimulates IGFBP-3 gene expression and production prior to its inhibition of cell growth, 2) treatment with an IGFBP-3 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide selectively inhibits TGF-beta-induced IGFBP-3 synthesis and cell growth inhibition, and 3) treatment with IGF-II and IGF-II analogs diminish TGF-beta effects by blocking TGF-beta-induced binding of IGFBP-3 to the cell surface. These findings suggest that IGFBP-3 is a major anti-proliferative factor and a key element in TGF-beta-induced growth inhibition in human breast cancer cells.

Role of insulin-like growth factors in steroid modulated proliferation

The mechanism by which steroids influence cell proliferation is poorly understood although an understanding of this process might facilitate the development of strategies to modulate the tissue-specific activity of steroid hormones. In this article, the evidence that steroid hormones interact with the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signal transduction pathway is reviewed for three different tissues. In osteoblasts, oestradiol stimulates the production of IGF-I which appears to act as an autocrine growth factor. In uterine tissue, oestradiol increases the synthesis of IGF-I in the stroma which then modulates the proliferation of epithelial cells although there is also evidence that oestradiol can modulate the sensitivity of uterine epithelial cells to IGFs. In breast cancer, oestrogens may increase IGF-II synthesis in epithelial cells, increase the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to IGFs (possibly by modulating type I IGF receptor levels) as well as resulting components of the IGF signal transduction pathway resulting in induction of immediate early genes. There therefore appears to be a variety of ways in which oestradiol interact with the IGF signal transduction pathway and these may be applicable to other malignant and normal tissues and other groups of steroid hormones.

Expression of estrogen receptors in estrogen receptor-negative human breast carcinoma cells: modulation of epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGF-R) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) gene expression

A number of studies suggest that an inverse correlation exists between the epidermal growth factor-receptor and the estrogen receptor expression in primary human breast carcinoma as well as in established human breast carcinoma cell lines. Recent studies suggest that the epidermal growth factor-receptor does not regulate the estrogen receptor gene expression. Whether the estrogen receptor regulates the epidermal growth factor-receptor gene expression is not known. We addressed this question by stably transfecting the estrogen receptor cDNA into the estrogen receptor-negative human breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-231. Constitutive expression of functional estrogen receptors in the transfectants resulted in increased mRNA levels of both epidermal growth factor-receptor and transforming growth factor alpha. Estradiol treatment of transfected cells, although enhancing transforming growth factor alpha mRNA levels, did not modulate epidermal growth factor-receptor mRNA levels. The estrogen receptor-transfected cells grown in estrogenic regular medium, however, exhibited lower constitutive levels of epidermal growth factor-receptor mRNA than in steroid-stripped medium, suggesting that estrogens coupled with some factors normally present in the regular medium may indeed downmodulate epidermal growth factor-receptor mRNA. Sodium butyrate treatment enhanced epidermal growth factor-receptor mRNA levels in nontransfected cells grown in regular estrogenic as well as in steroid stripped medium. Sodium butyrate enhancement of epidermal growth factor-receptor mRNA levels was completely abolished in estrogen receptor-transfected cells grown in regular estrogenic medium and blunted in steroid stripped medium. Using various epidermal growth factor-receptor gene promoter-CAT constructs in transient transfection assays, we further demonstrate that sodium butyrate enhanced transcription of the epidermal growth factor-receptor gene. The putative sodium butyrate responsive element(s) appears to localize within the proximal 384 bp of the epidermal growth factor-receptor gene promoter region. Although the interactions between estrogen receptor and epidermal growth factor-receptor are rather complex, taken together, our data suggest that estrogen receptor can indeed modulate the epidermal growth factor-receptor mRNA expression.