Transforming growth factor-alpha stimulates insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) expression and blocks follicle-stimulating hormone regulation of IGFBP-4 production in rat granulosa cells

REGULATION OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR (IGF)-BINDING PROTEIN EXPRESSION BY GROWTH FACTORS AND CYTOKINES ALTERS IGF-MEDIATED PROLIFERATION OF POSTNATAL LUNG FIBROBLASTS

Postnatal day 5 is the beginning of septation and the peak of postnatal fibroblast proliferation. The author and colleagues studied fibroblasts from this developmental time period to determine factors that regulate cell proliferation. Exposure of cells to insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I for 48 hours increased cell number whereas exposure to epithelial growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-7, FGF-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), or interleukin (L)-1beta did not alter cell number. Long[R3]IGF-I (a synthetic IGF analog with reduced affinity for IGF-binding proteins [IGFBPs]) was more potent than IGF-I, with half-maximal stimulation at a dose of 0.6 nM for long[R3]IGF-I compared to 1.5 nM for IGF-I, suggesting that IGFBPs in the conditioned medium (CM) inhibit IGF activity. Addition of exogenous IGFBP-3 inhibited the IGF-stimulated increase in cell number. Addition of IGFBP-4 did not alter IGF activity because IGF-I stimulated proteolysis of IGFBP-4. The expression of mRNA for PAPP-A (a known IGFBP-4 protease) suggests that the clearance of IGFBP-4 is mediated by pregnancy-associated plasma protein (PAPP)-A. Exposure of cells to TNF-alpha or IL-1beta increased IGFBP-3 mRNA abundance and IGFBP-3 protein in CM. PDGF-BB and IL-1beta increased IGFBP-4 protein abundance and PDGF-BB and dibutyryl cAMP increased IGFBP-4 mRNA. The increase in CM IGFBP-3 following TNF-alpha exposure blocked IGF-mediated cell proliferation, suggesting that the growth factor- and cytokine-mediated changes in IGFBP abundance regulate postnatal fibroblast cell proliferation.

Proteolytic Degradation of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins by Ovarian Follicles: A Control Mechanism for Selection of Dominant Follicles1

This review summarizes evidence for the role of proteolytic enzymes that degrade and inactivate insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP) during follicular development in mammals. In some species (e.g., bovine), evidence indicates that decreases in IGFBP-4 and -5 levels in estrogen-dominant preovulatory follicles are likely due, in part, to increased protease activity, whereas lower levels of IGFBP-2 are not due to increased proteolysis. Increased IGFBP-4 and -5 protease along with lower amounts of IGFBP-4 binding activity and greater amounts of free IGF-I are some of the earliest developmental changes documented in bovine growing antral follicles. This protease activity has recently been ascribed to serine metalloprotease(s), including pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), which was first detected in human follicular fluid nearly 20 yr ago. Other recent studies verified the presence of PAPP-A mRNA in granulosa cells of humans, monkeys, cattle, mice, and pigs. Increases in the amount of PAPP-A mRNA in granulosa cells during follicular development occurs in some but not all species, indicating that other proteases or protease inhibitors may be involved in IGFBP degradation. Whether the hormonal control of PAPP-A production/activity by the ovary differs between monotocous and polytocous animals will require further study. These protease-induced decreases in IGFBP-4 and -5 likely cause increased levels of bioavailable (or free) IGFs that stimulate steroidogenesis and mitogenesis in developing dominant follicles, which ultimately prepare the follicle(s) and oocyte(s) for successful ovulation and fertilization.

The matrix metalloproteinase system: changes, regulation, and impact throughout the ovarian and uterine reproductive cycle

The ovary and uterus undergo extensive tissue remodeling throughout each reproductive cycle. This remodeling of the extracellular environment is dependent upon the cyclic hormonal changes associated with each estrous or menstrual cycle. In the ovary, tissue remodeling is requisite for growth and expansion of the follicle, breakdown of the follicular wall during the ovulatory process, transformation of the postovulatory follicle into the corpus luteum, as well as the structural dissolution of the corpus luteum during luteal regression. In the uterus, there is extraordinary turnover of the endometrial connective tissue matrix during each menstrual cycle. This turnover encompasses the complete breakdown and loss of this layer, followed by its subsequent regrowth. With implantation, extensive remodeling of the uterus occurs to support placentation. These dynamic changes in the ovarian and uterine extracellular architecture are regulated, in part, by the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) system. The MMP system acts to control connective tissue remodeling processes throughout the body and is comprised of both a proteolytic component, the MMPs, and a regulatory component, the associated tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases. The current review will highlight the key features of the MMPs and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, focus on the changes and regulation of the MMP system that take place throughout the estrous and menstrual cycles, and address the impact of the dynamic tissue remodeling processes on ovarian and uterine physiology.

Estradiol and luteinizing hormone regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein production by bovine granulosa and thecal cells

To determine the effects of estradiol and luteinizing hormone (LH) on insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP) production by bovine granulosa and thecal cells, both cell types were collected and cultured in serum-free medium with various hormone treatments, arranged in three experiments. In thecal cells, insulin stimulated (p < 0.05) production of IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-5, but had no effect (p > 0.10) on IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 production; LH stimulated (p < 0.05) production of IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 but had no effect (p > 0.05) on IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5. Estradiol had no effect (p > 0.10) on IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, and IGFBP-5 production by thecal cells. Production of IGFBP-2/-5 by granulosa cells from small follicles was inhibited (p < 0.05) by insulin, but estradiol and LH did not influence (p > 0.10) insulin's inhibitory effect on basal IGFBP-2/-5 production. Insulin, LH, and estradiol each inhibited IGFBP-4 production by small-follicle granulosa cells, but their effects were not additive. IGFBP-3 was not produced by small-follicle granulosa cells. In large-follicle granulosa cells, insulin and LH inhibited (p < 0.05) production of IGFBP-2/-5 and IGFBP-3, whereas estradiol had no effect. Insulin alone had no effect (p > 0.10) on production of IGFBP-4, but estradiol and LH inhibited (p < 0.05) production by large-follicle granulosa cells, and their effects were not additive. These results suggest that production of IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, and IGFBP-5 by granulosa and thecal cells is differentially affected by hormonal stimuli.

Hormonal control of ovarian cell production of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins

To determine if the hormonal effects on insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) production differed between granulosa and thecal cells, both cell types were collected and cultured in serum-free medium with various hormone treatments, arranged in three experiments. Following treatment, cells were enumerated and media were collected, concentrated 10-fold and subjected to ligand blotting. Experiment 1 revealed that > or =1.5 x 10(5) viable cells at plating were needed for maximal IGFBP production by granulosa and thecal cells. The major forms of IGFBPs produced were a 27-34-kDa IGFBP (IGFBP-2 and -5), and a 20-22-kDa IGFBP (IGFBP-4) by the granulosa cells and a 40-44-kDa IGFBP (IGFBP-3), 34-kDa IGFBP (IGFBP-2), 27-29-kDa IGFBP (IGFBP-5) and a 20-22-kDa IGFBP (IGFBP-4) by the thecal cells. In Experiment 2A, insulin stimulated production of IGFBP-5 by thecal cells, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) inhibited the insulin-induced increase in IGFBP-5 production; epidermal growth factor (EGF) and luteinizing hormone were without effect. The small amounts of IGFBP-2 and -3 produced by thecal cells of Experiment 2A were not affected by treatment. Production of IGFBP-2/-5 by granulosa cells in Experiment 2B was inhibited by insulin, with EGF and bFGF further enhancing insulin's inhibitory effect; follicle-stimulating hormone was without effect. In Experiment 3A, insulin enhanced production of IGFBP-5 by thecal cells whereas glucagon blocked insulin's stimulatory effect. In contrast, insulin or glucagon alone had no effect on production of the IGFBP-4 by thecal cells but when combined inhibited IGFBP-4 production. The small amounts of IGFBP-2 and -3 produced by thecal cells of Experiment 3A were not affected by treatment. In Experiment 3B, production of IGFBP-2/-5 by granulosa cells was attenuated in the presence of cortisol with or without insulin and insulin plus glucagon; glucagon and cortisol decreased production of IGFBP-4 by granulosa cells. These results suggest that production of IGFBP-2, -4, and -5 by granulosa and thecal cells are differentially affected by hormonal stimuli, and that IGFBP-3 is more consistently produced by thecal cells than granulosa cells of cattle although its production was not hormonally regulated.

Gonadotropic control of ovarian follicular growth and development

Development-related paracrine cues that sensitize follicles to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are crucial to the emergence of a single dominant follicle in each ovulatory menstrual cycle. Sex steroids, insulin-like growth factors and members of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily are key players in the follicular paracrine system. FSH acts through membrane-associated granulosa cell receptors (FSHR) to stimulate granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation. The most responsive follicle at the beginning of the cycle is the first to produce estrogen and express granulosa cell LHR. Paracrine signalling activated by FSH and LH sustains growth and oestrogen secretion until an ovulation-inducing LH surge is discharged by the pituitary gland. LH then reprograms granulosa cell function, leading to terminal differentiation (luteinization) rupture of the follicle wall, and release of the fertilizable egg. The genes regulated by the LH surge orchestrate profound changes in sex steroid production, metabolism and action which are necessary for ovulation. Preovulatory granulosa cells also increase their ability to metabolise cortisone to cortisol, which may be part of a local anti-inflammatory mechanism to promote rapid healing of the ruptured ovarian surface.

Peptide growth factors regulate insulin-like growth factor binding protein production by fetal rat lung fibroblasts

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding proteins (IGFBPs) are expressed in fetal lung and may provide important post-translational regulation of IGF-induced mitogenesis during lung organogenesis. Because of the observation that growth factors can control cell growth through regulation of IGFBPs, we examined IGFBP production by fetal lung fibroblasts following stimulation by peptide growth factors important for fetal lung growth and development. Fetal lung fibroblasts were cultured in serum-free medium supplemented with various growth factors for up to 48 h, and IGFBPs in conditioned medium (CM) were analyzed by ligand blot and immunoblot techniques. Accumulation of CM IGFBP-3 was increased and IGFBP-2 decreased by incubation with either keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) or epidermal growth factor (EGF). The effect of these factors on IGFBP-3 accumulation increased with time but the effects of KGF on CM IGFBP-2 decreased over 48 h of incubation. CM IGFBP-4 was increased by 24 and 48 h incubation with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF; 2.1- and 2.7-fold increases at 24 and 48 h, respectively) and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB; 4.2- and 14.9-fold increases at 24 and 48 h, respectively), and 48 h incubation with EGF (6.3-fold increase). In 48-h coincubation experiments, EGF in combination with PDGF-BB or with bFGF, and bFGF in combination with PDGF-BB, resulted in IGFBP-4 accumulations twice that expected from a summation of the effects of either growth factor alone (IGFBP-4 increased 9.8-, 4.0-, and 1.8-fold by PDGF-BB, EGF, and bFGF, respectively; and 27.1-, 37.3-, and 13.0-fold by PDGF-BB plus EGF, PDGF-BB plus bFGF, and EGF plus bFGF, respectively). These results suggest synergistic effects of these growth factors on IGFBP-4 accumulation in fetal lung fibroblast CM. Because IGFBPs are known to regulate DNA synthesis, we speculate that peptide growth factors may alter cell proliferation in fetal lung, in part through their effect on IGFBPs.