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A Hoeflich

Publications and source records attributed to A Hoeflich.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Transgenic mouse models for studying the functions of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins.

The insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) comprise a family of six related peptides that interact with high affinity with IGFs. IGFBPs compete with IGF receptors for IGF binding, and as a consequence of this competition they can affect cell growth. In addition, IGF-independent regulatory mechanisms of IGFBPs have been described. Despite their common property to interact with IGFs every IGFBP is expressed in a tightly regulated time- and tissue-specific manner suggesting that each protein may have its own distinct functions. Several transgenic mouse models overexpressing IGFBP-1, -2, -3, or -4 were developed in the past few years. Brain abnormalities were a common feature of IGFBP-1 transgenic models. Individual strains showed alterations in glucose homeostasis, reproductive performance, and a reduction of somatic growth as the most prominent phenotypes. The latter was also the main effect observed in IGFBP-2 transgenic mice. The overexpression of IGFBP-3 under the control of an ubiquitous promoter resulted in selective organomegaly, whereas mammary gland-targeted expression of this protein caused an altered involution after pregnancy in this organ. Tissue-specific overexpression of IGFBP-4 resulted in hypoplasia and reduced weight of smooth muscle-rich tissues such as bladder, aorta, and stomach. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the actions of IGFBPs in vivo based on the presently established transgenic mice.

Animals↗

Gene expression of galectin-9/ecalectin, a potent eosinophil chemoattractant, and/or the insertional isoform in human colorectal carcinoma cell lines and detection of frame-shift mutations for protein sequence truncations in the second functional lectin domain.

The family of Ca2+-independent galactoside-binding lectins with the beta-strand topology of the jelly-roll, referred to as galectins, is known to mediate and modulate a variety of cellular activities. Their functional versatility explains the current interest in monitoring their expression in cancer research, so far primarily focused on galectin-1 and -3. Tandem-repeat-type galectin-9 and its (most probably) allelic variant ecalectin, a potent eosinophil chemoattractant, are known to be human leukocyte products. We show by RT-PCR with primers specific for both that their mRNA is expressed in 17 of 21 human colorectal cancer lines. As also indicated by restriction analysis, in addition to the expected transcript of 571 bp an otherwise identical isoform coding for a 32-amino acid extension of the link peptide was detected. Positive cell lines differentially expressed either one (7 lines) or both transcripts (10 lines). Sequence analysis of RT-PCR products, performed in four cases, allowed to assign the standard transcript to ecalectin in the case of SW480 cells and detected two point mutations in the insert of the link peptide-coding sequence in WiDr and Colo205. Furthermore, this analysis identified the insertion of a single nucleotide into the coding sequence generating a frame-shift mutation, an event which has so far not been reported for any galectin. This alteration encountered in both transcripts of the WiDr line and the isoform transcript of Colo205 cells will most likely truncate the protein part within the second (C-terminal) carbohydrate recognition domain. Our results thus reveal the presence of mRNA for a galectin-9-isoform or a potent eosinophil chemoattractant (ecalectin) or a truncated version thereof with preserved N-terminal carbohydrate recognition domain in established human colon cancer cell lines.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Insulin-like growth factors and IGF-binding proteins in bovine seminal plasma.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is an important factor for germ cell development and maturation of spermatozoa. Actions of IGFs are modulated by IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) that may, depending on their concentration and site of expression, inhibit or enhance effects of IGF-I. We characterized IGFs and IGFBPs in seminal plasma from bulls routinely used for artificial insemination (AI) and from bulls producing poor-quality semen (low mass and individual motility of spermatozoa). IGFs were measured by specific radioimmunoassay in 22 samples of seminal plasma from nine different AI bulls with high (> 76.8%), average (72.8-73.4%), or low (< 69.5%) nonreturn rate (NRR). IGF-I and IGF-II levels were 144 +/- 9 ng/ml (mean +/- SE; range, 79-238 ng/ml) and 144 +/- 10 ng/ml (range, 55-221 ng/ml), respectively, and did not correlate with NRRs. IGF-I concentrations in seminal plasma from bulls producing poor-quality semen (n = 10) were significantly (P < 0.05) greater (194 +/- 26 ng/ml; range, 94-370 ng/ml), whereas IGF-II levels were significantly (P < 0.05) lower (93 +/- 17 ng/ml; range, 38-183 ng/ml) than in AI bulls. Ligand blot analysis of seminal plasma for IGFBPs revealed the presence of a 38-/45-kDa doublet band and a 30-kDa IGFBP. These IGFBPs were identified as IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5, respectively, by immunoprecipitation using specific antibodies. In addition, a low amount of IGFBP-4 was detected in bovine seminal plasma by immunoprecipitation. There was a marked difference in the activity of IGFBPs between individual bulls, with a relatively small within-bull variance. The differences in IGFBP activities did not correlate with the fertilization capacity of the bulls in vivo or in vitro nor with immunoreactive IGF-I and IGF-II levels in seminal plasma. Our results demonstrate the presence of IGFBPs in bovine seminal plasma. In contrast to human seminal plasma, high activity of IGFBP-3 was detected in seminal plasma of some bulls, suggesting species-specific regulation of IGFBP activity by proteases.

Animals↗

Overexpression of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-2 in transgenic mice reduces postnatal body weight gain.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) has been shown to inhibit IGF-dependent cell proliferation in a number of in vitro studies. However, no in vivo model of IGFBP-2 overexpression has been established so far. Therefore, we have generated transgenic mice, in which expression of a mouse IGFBP-2 complementary DNA is controlled by the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. In two independent transgenic strains, transgene expression was highest in pancreas and stomach, followed by skeletal muscle, heart, colon, spleen, adipose tissue, brain, and kidney. Within the pancreas, IGFBP-2 expression was found in the islets but not in the exocrine part. Serum IGFBP-2 levels of CMV-IGFBP-2 transgenic mice were about 3-fold (P < 0.05) increased, compared with controls, whereas serum levels of IGF-I and IGF-II were unaffected by IGFBP-2 overexpression. Fasted serum glucose and fasted insulin levels were slightly reduced in transgenic mice, compared with controls. Postprandial serum glucose insulin levels were not affected by the genotype. At days later than 23, body weights of transgenic mice were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in both sexes, compared with nontransgenic littermates. This reduction in body weight was mainly attributable to significantly (P < 0.05) lower carcass weights of CMV-IGFBP-2 transgenic vs. control mice. In contrast, absolute organ weights were not (or only as a tendency) reduced, except for the weight of the spleen, which was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in male transgenic than in control mice. Our data suggest that IGFBP-2 represents a negative regulator of postnatal growth in mice, potentially by reducing the bioavailability of IGF-I.

Animals↗

Src stimulates insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I)-dependent cell proliferation by increasing IGF-I receptor number in human pancreatic carcinoma cells.

We examined the potential function of Src in human pancreatic carcinoma. Overexpression of kinase-activated SrcY527F resulted in a significant increase of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I)-dependent cell proliferation in the cell line PANC-1. Western blotting and competition binding studies demonstrated 2.3 +/- 0.2-fold increase in IGF-I receptor expression and 2.8 +/- 0.4-fold increase in IGF-I-specific binding sites/cell. SrcY527F transfection alone did not change receptor affinity or basal receptor tyrosine phosphorylation, whereas IGF-I-stimulated receptor phosphorylation was increased by 2.1 +/- 0.5-fold. IGF-I mRNA expression and protein secretion did not change to exclude autocrine activation. We conclude that Src stimulates IGF-I-dependent proliferation of PANC-1 cells by increasing the number of IGF-I receptors/cell.

Cell Division↗

Altered growth of mice divergently selected for body weight is associated with complex changes in the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor system.

Mice investigated in this study were generated by selecting a sub-population of the NMRI out-bred stock (C), for high (H) or low (L) 8-week body weight. After 58 generations of selection, 8-week body weights of the sub-populations were markedly different if compared to controls. To investigate endocrine changes causing the altered growth performance in the different lines of mice, we analysed several components of the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system. Pituitary weights of male and female L mice were significantly smaller than those of C and H mice. Relative to body weight, pituitary weights of male mice from the three lines did not differ, however pituitary weight-to-body weight-ratios of female L mice were significantly greater than those of H females. Mean volume densities of somatotropic cells were significantly smaller in L mice than in C and H mice. Serum IGF-I concentrations were significantly lower in the L line than in the C and H lines. H mice displayed significantly increased serum insulin levels both after ad libitum feeding and after a 14 hour fasting period. Ligand blot analysis of serum IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) revealed a significant reduction of circulating IGFBP-3 in L mice as compared to C and H mice. In contrast, serum IGFBP-2 mRNA levels were significantly increased in male L mice and showed non significant increases in female L mice. Hepatic IGFBP-2 mRNA levels were significantly increased in L mice and decreased in H mice as compared to C mice. Expression of IGFBP-4 mRNA in the liver was significantly decreased in both selection lines (L, H) as compared to the random-bred controls. Our findings demonstrate that altered growth of mice resulting from selection for body weight is associated with complex changes in the endocrine network of the GH/IGF system.

Adipose Tissue↗

Identification of transgenic mice by direct PCR analysis of lysates of epithelial cells obtained from the inner surface of the rectum.

Conventional screening protocols for transgene integration in mice employ tail tips or blood samples as sources to obtain genomic DNA preparations. We have developed a simple alternative non-surgical method. Epithelial cells are scraped off the inner surface of the rectum with a sterile plastic inoculation loop and are lysed with Kawasaki buffer. The lysate can be directly examined in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis without any need for further DNA purification. This procedure causes minimal harm and stress to the animals and repeated samples can be obtained as often as necessary. This technique has been used successfully to identify transgenic mice from a number of different lines. The method allows quick screening of numerous animals and contributes to a reduction of the number of surgical biopsies required.

Animals↗

Expression of IGF receptors on alveolar macrophages: IGF-induced changes in InsPi formation, [Ca2+]i, and pHi.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptors and insulin-like growth factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate (IGF-II/Man6P) receptors in cultured bovine alveolar macrophages (BAM) was demonstrated by competitive binding studies and crosslinking experiments. Western blotting of protein extracts from cultured BAM using an anti bovine IGF-II/Man6P receptor antiserum (#66416) confirmed the presence of IGF-II/Man6P receptors on BAM. The effects of IGFs and Man6P on generation of inositol phosphates was measured by HPLC analysis of perchloric acid extracts from myo-[3H]inositol-labelled cultured BAM. IGF-I at nanomolar concentrations and Man6P (10[-8]-10[-3] M) stimulated the accumulation of both Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 after 30 sec. IGF-II (up to 2.3 x 10[-8] M) had no significant effect on inositol phosphate accumulation under the same conditions. Both IGFs and Man6P induced a rise in [Ca2+]i in cultured BAM. In addition, using the fluorescent dye SNARF-1/AM we could demonstrate rapid but small IGF-II (10[-9] M) triggered acidification (0.07 pH units) of cultured BAM. Taken together, our results indicate not only the presence of both IGF-I and IGF-II/Man6P receptors on BAM, but also provide evidence of the linkage of the IGF-I receptor to the inositol phosphate system.

Animals↗

Opposite regulation of IGF-I and IGF-I receptor mRNA and concomitant changes of GH receptor and IGF-II/M6P receptor mRNA in human IM-9 lymphoblasts.

Human IM-9 lymphoblasts synthesize IGF-I and express IGF-I receptors, IGF-II/M6P receptors and GH receptors. We have studied the regulation of mRNA expression of IGF-I, IGF-I receptors, IGF-II/M6P receptors and GH receptors in IM-9 cells upon serum-withdrawal and re-addition of serum. IM-9 cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium with or without serum for various periods of time. RNA was prepared using guanidinium thiocyanate and CsCl. Antisense riboprobes for human IGF-I, IGF-I receptor, IGF-II/M6P receptor, GH receptor and for comparison for human beta-actin were synthesized and labeled with 32P. Protected fragments of 379 bases and of 420 and 350 bases with the IGF-I receptor and with the IGF-I probe respectively and protected fragments of 670 bases and of 51 and 121 bases with the GH receptor and with the beta-actin probe were detected. For the human IGF-II/M6P receptor probe protected fragments of 260 bases were visualized in RNA samples. The amount of mRNA present in each lane (10 microgram total RNA) was determined by computed densitometry. The amount of IGF-mRNA expressed by IM-9 cells decreased rapidly (within two hours) and dramatically (more than 120%) after the withdrawal of serum and increased significantly (220%) after the re-addition of serum. This increase of IGF-I mRNA preceded the increase in cell number that was seen after 48 h of medium change. Conversely, the expression of IGF-I receptor mRNA and beta-actin mRNA increased by more than 250% after the withdrawal of serum within 2 and 8 h respectively, while GH receptor mRNA fell within 2-4 h. The expression of IGF-II/M6P receptor mRNA continued to increase throughout the duration of the cell culture experiment. We conclude that IGF-I and IGF-I receptor mRNAs are regulated in an opposite direction in serum-deprived IM-9 lymphoblasts. In addition, GH receptor mRNA expression parallels IGF-I mRNA expression.

Actins↗

Expression of IGFBP-2, -3, and -4 mRNA during differentiation of Caco-2 colon epithelial cells.

Local production of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding proteins (IGFBP) determines the availability of the IGF to the cell and thus regulates IGF action. To find out whether specific patterns of IGFBP gene expression and IGFBP secretion were related to cell growth vs. cell differentiation, expression of IGFBP during long-term culture (21 days, n = 5) of the colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2 was investigated at the mRNA and protein levels. Markers of cell proliferation (increase in DNA, RNA, and protein content) and of differentiation [alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity; creatine kinase (CK) activity] were measured in parallel during long-term culture. IGFBP-2 mRNA expression correlated significantly with markers of proliferation (P < 0.05), whereas IGFBP-3 mRNA expression or IGFBP-3 secretion correlated with markers of differentiation (AP: r = 0.83, P < 0.001; CK: r = 0.45, P < 0.01). Similarly, IGFBP-4 mRNA expression correlated significantly with markers of differentiation (AP: r = 0.34, P < 0.05; CK: r = 0.35, P < 0.05). We hypothesize that IGFBP-3 and -4 are related to differentiation of Caco-2 cells, whereas IGFBP-2 is related to proliferation in Caco-2 cells.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Coordinate expression of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) and IGF-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptor mRNA and stable expression of IGF-I receptor mRNA during differentiation of human colon carcinoma cells (Caco-2).

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) has been implicated in the differentiation of skeletal muscle cells. In this study the putative role of IGF-II in epithelial cell differentiation was investigated. The expression of IGF-II, IGF-I receptor and IGF-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptor (IGF-II/M6P receptor) mRNA during spontaneous differentiation of the colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2 was measured. In addition, differentiation of Caco-2 cells during the cell culture period (days 1-21 in culture) was studied in parallel using morphological (light and scanning electron microscopy) and biochemical markers of growth (DNA, RNA and protein content, and beta-actin mRNA and glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA expression) and differentiation (alkaline phosphatase activity, carcinoembryonic antigen content). A putative correlation between the markers of growth and differentiation and IGF gene expression was studied using linear regression analysis. Expression of IGF-II mRNA and IGF-II/M6P receptor mRNA correlated significantly with the progress of differentiation, while the IGF-I receptor was stably expressed throughout the culture period and exhibited a crucial role for the survival of Caco-2 cells, as shown by blocking experiments employing the monoclonal anti-IGF-I receptor antibody alpha-IR3. We hypothesize that: IGF-II mRNA and IGF-II/M6P receptor mRNA are expressed in a coordinate fashion during the differentiation of Caco-2 cells; coordinate expression of IGF-II and of IGF-II/M6P receptor mRNA might point to a role for IGF-II as a growth stimulant and for the IGF-II/M6P receptor for a regulator of IGF-II bioavailability in differentiating cells; alternatively, high IGF-II/M6P receptor mRNA and protein expression in differentiated cells but low IGF-II binding to the IGF-II/M6P receptor point to an important intracellular role of this receptor type in differentiated colon epithelial cells; the IGF-I receptor mRNA is stably expressed during the differentiation process of Caco-2 cells; the IGF-I receptor protein seems to be a prerequisite for the survival of Caco-2 cells.

Caco-2 Cells↗

Streptozotocin induction of diabetes in rats leads to increased insulin-like growth factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptor mRNA expression in kidney but not in lung or heart.

Insulin and glucose are thought to act as important modulators of the expression of the IGFs, their binding proteins and their receptors. It has been postulated that changes of the IGF system after diabetes onset contribute to the development of diabetes late complications. We have measured the expression of IGF-II/M6P receptor mRNA in rat kidney, lung and heart after streptozotocin induction of diabetes. Adult rats were injected with streptozotocin, and, after the onset of diabetes, were treated with either insulin or vehicle. The rats were sacrificed on days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 9. Kidneys, lungs and hearts were removed aseptically and RNA was extracted from the tissues. In solution hybridization/RNAse protection experiments, specific IGF-II/M6P receptor and beta-actin transcripts were detected in the RNA samples from all tissues examined. To gain additional evidence for the expression of IGF-II/M6P receptor RNA in the tissues examined, Northern blotting experiments were performed: a major 9 kb RNA species was detected on the blots. Interestingly, streptozotocin-induced onset of diabetes led to a significant increase in the expression of IGF-II/M6P receptor mRNA in the kidney but not in lung and heart whereas no change in actin mRNA expression was measured. Insulin treatment did not prevent the increase of IGF-II/M6P receptor mRNA expression during short-term treatment (1-9 days). Alterations of the IGF system during diabetes onset might be of relevance for the development of early renal changes during the course of the disease.

Animals↗

Does the overexpression of pro-insulin-like growth factor-II in transfected human embryonic kidney fibroblasts increase the secretion of lysosomal enzymes?

Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) and lysosomal enzymes bearing the mannose 6-phosphate (Man6P) recognition marker, bind to two distinct binding sites of the IGF-II/M6P receptor. The two classes of ligands reciprocally modulate the binding of the other class of ligand to the receptor [Kiess, W., Thomas, C. L., Greenstein, L., Lee, L., Sklar, M. M., Rechler, M. M., Sahagian, G. G. & Nissley, S. P. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 4710-4714]. We asked whether or not overexpression of pro-IGF-II by cells in culture leads to missorting of lysosomal enzymes. Human embryonal kidney fibroblasts were transfected with the full-length human IGF-II cDNA or a control cDNA. Solution hybridization/RNase protection experiments using a human IGF-II riboprobe showed that two transfectants expressed large quantities of IGF-II mRNA, whereas the non-transfected cells did not. The analysis of conditioned media revealed that these cells secrete approximately 0.15 micrograms and 1.0 micrograms immunoreactive IGF-II/ml and 22 x 10(6) cells and 24 x 10(6) cells within 24 hours. Immunoreactive IGF-II was shown by Western blotting to represent 17-kDa pro-IGF-II. The amount of the lysosomal enzyme, beta-hexosaminidase, was approximately twofold increased in the conditioned media from pro-IGF-II overexpressing cells compared with control media, as shown by Western-blot analysis and immunoprecipitation of media extracts of metabolically labeled cells. The synthesis rate of beta-hexosaminidase was not affected by pro-IGF-II overexpression. In addition, the basal amount of another newly synthesized lysosomal enzyme, the cathepsin D precursor, was also twofold higher in pro-IGF-II overexpressing cells than in control cells. In contrast, the surface binding and cellular uptake rate of a Man6P-containing neoglycoprotein did not differ between the cell lines. The results indicate that the overexpression of pro-IGF-II doubles the secretion and/or reduces the re-uptake of beta-hexosaminidase and cathepsin D to approximately 20% of the total synthesized enzymes in human embryonal kidney fibroblasts compared to control cells. We hypothesize that, in cells synthesizing high amounts of pro-IGF-II, the growth factor may modulate the targeting of a portion of lysosomal enzymes, mainly by partially enhancing the secretion of newly synthesized enzymes and, in addition, possibly by affecting the re-uptake mechanism.

Cathepsin D↗

The insulin-like growth factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptor is present in fetal bovine tissues throughout gestation.

The insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) and the IGF-II/mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) receptor are thought to play an important role in fetal growth and development. We have studied the expression of the IGF-II/M6P receptor in fetal bovine tissues from 5 through 36 weeks' gestation. Tissues from bovine fetuses were extracted in buffer containing 2% Triton-X-100 and 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Aliquots of the protein extracts were analyzed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the protein bands were transferred onto nitrocellulose. Immunoblotting was performed with anti-bovine IGF-II/M6P receptor antiserum. In a subset of experiments, ligand blotting was carried out with radiolabeled IGF-II and subsequent autoradiography. IGF-II/M6P receptors were expressed in all tissues examined, with the highest amount of receptor being present in fetal lung and liver. Low amounts of receptors were measured in fetal brain. The amount of receptor was developmentally regulated throughout fetal life. The developmental regulation of receptor expression varied among the different tissues. In conclusion, the IGF-II/M6P receptor is present in all fetal bovine tissues examined. The presence of the IGF-II/M6P receptor seems to be developmentally regulated during bovine fetal life. We hypothesize that this receptor exerts important biologic effects during fetal growth and tissue and organ development.

Animals↗

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and -II and IGF-binding proteins-1, -2, and -3 in children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus: correlation with metabolic control and height attainment.

The putative effects of diabetes and metabolic control on circulating levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) remain controversial. In the present study, serum levels of IGF-I and IGF-II and IGFBP-1, -2, and -3 were measured in 58 patients (age, 0.8-17 yr) with treated (51 subjects) or untreated (7 subjects) insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and were compared with the levels in normal subjects. In the untreated patients IGF-I and IGF-II were decreased as compared with the healthy controls. In the treated diabetics IGF-I and IGF-II were reduced; IGFBP-2 (only in prepubertal subjects) and IGFBP-3 were increased. Furthermore, age-adjusted values of IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 were lower in prepubertal than in pubertal patients. Regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between hemoglobin (Hb)A1c and standard deviation scores (SDS) of IGF-I and a positive association between HbA1c and IGFBP-1 SDS or IGFBP-2 SDS. In the treated patients HbA1c was positively related to IGFBP-1 SDS and IGFBP-2 SDS when applying simple regression analysis and to IGFBP-2 SDS when using a multiple regression model. Strong correlations were observed between height SDS and IGF-I SDS, IGF-II SDS, and IGFBP-3 SDS in prepubertal subjects who had had IDDM for at least 2 yr, but not in adolescents. Such correlations have also been found in healthy children and adolescents. In conclusion; 1) IDDM is associated with alterations of the IGF-IGFBP system, which are partially accounted for by differences in metabolic control and pubertal status; 2) the lower plasma concentrations of serum IGF-I may play a role in the pathogenesis of growth impairment of poorly controlled prepubertal, but not pubertal, children and adolescents with IDDM; and 3) in addition, a potential role of the altered IGF-IGFBP system for the development of diabetic late complications is hypothesized.

Adolescent↗

Perturbation of C6 glial cells by acetate leads to modulation of [125I]IGF-II binding to the IGF-II/M6P receptor: implications for ligand internalization studies.

Acid washes are used as an experimental tool to differentiate between cell-surface bound and internalized radioligands. We have observed that washes with acid buffers containing 100 mM acetate can modulate [125I]IGF-II binding to rat C6 glial cells in an unexpected manner: when cells in monolayer culture were prewashed with phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.3) (PBS), [125I]IGF-II binding was characteristic of the IGF-II/mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) receptor. Importantly, IgG 3637, which is purified from an antiserum directed against the rat IGF-II/M6P receptor, blocked binding of [125I]IGF-II whereas nonimmune IgG did not. Affinity crosslinking studies using DSS as the crosslinking agent and Western blotting experiments using antiserum 3637 confirmed the presence of the IGF-II/M6P receptor in C6 glial cells. Prewashes of C6 cell monolayers with acid buffers (pH 4-4.5) which contained 100 mM sodium acetate and which have been used in internalization studies reduced [125I]IGF-II binding by 40-60%. Affinity crosslinking studies using C6 cells showed that the formation of the 250 kDa radioligand-receptor complex was not prohibited by IgG 3637 after acid washes with buffers containing high acetate concentrations, while acid washes with buffers containing no acetate did not cause a loss in the blocking ability of IgG 3637. However, acid washes with 100 mM acetate did not alter the recognition of IGF-II/M6P receptors by IgG 3637 in Western blotting experiments. In addition, in a subset of experiments acid prewashes with acetate also decreased binding of [125I]IGF-I to the IGF-I receptor by 20%. We conclude that acid washes with acetate buffers lead to decreased [125I]IGF-I and [125I]IGF-II binding. In addition, the capability of anti-receptor IgG to block radioligand binding to the IGF-II/M6P receptor also declines. We hypothesize that alteration of ligand binding might be partially caused by perturbation of the cell membrane and hence a conformational change in IGF receptors. These data imply that the use of acetate buffers in acid wash experiments in ligand internalization studies--particularly in studies involving the IGF-II/M6P receptor--should be avoided.

Acetates↗

Human colon carcinoma cells (CaCo-2) synthesize IGF-II and express IGF-I receptors and IGF-II/M6P receptors.

The IGFs have been implicated in the development of the intestinal tract. We have studied the human colon carcinoma cell line CaCo-2 to gain more insight into the function of the IGFs in the gut. [125I]IGF-I and -II bound specifically to CaCo-2 cells as measured in competitive binding experiments. The existence of IGF-I receptors was further demonstrated by affinity crosslinking studies using DSS as the crosslinking agent. Western blotting of CaCo-2 cell extracts using an anti IGF-II/M6P receptor antiserum provided additional evidence for the expression of the IGF-II/M6P receptor. In addition, Northern blotting experiments showed specific IGF-I receptor and IGF-II/M6P receptor gene expression in CaCo-2 cells. An 11 kb band was visualized with a 614 bp PstI IGF-I receptor probe on autoradiographs. Hybridization with a 663 bp IGF-II/M6P receptor probe yielded a 9 kb RNA species. Analysis of CaCo-2 cell RNA using solution hybridization/RNase protection assays yielded two protected fragments, approximately 379 bases in length, with a 394 base IGF-I receptor riboprobe and a 250 base protected fragment with a 260 base IGF-II/M6P receptor riboprobe. In a subset of experiments a PstI 700 base fragment of the IGF-I cDNA and a 554 base SalI fragment of the IGF-II cDNA were used for hybridization: no hybridization was detected with the IGF-I probe. However, using the [32P]IGF-II probe bands at 6.0 and 5.0 kb were labeled in Northern blotting experiments. Analysis of CaCo-2 cell RNA using solution hybridization/RNase protection assays yielded a 289 base protected fragment and a faint 534 base species with a 556 base human IGF-II riboprobe. In addition, IGF-II immunoreactivity was measured in CaCo-2 cell-conditioned medium using an IGF-binding protein blocked radioimmunoassay. CaCo-2 cell-conditioned medium contained 5-15 ng/ml IGF-II immunoreactivity. In conclusion, (1) CaCo-2 cells express both IGF-I receptor mRNA and IGF-II/M6P receptor mRNA and contain functional IGF-I receptor and IGF-II/M6P receptor protein. (2) CaCo-2 cells express IGF-II mRNA and secrete IGF-II immunoreactivity. We hypothesize that in human colon carcinoma cells IGF-II could act as an autocrine growth factor or alternatively could serve as a regulatory factor during differentiation.

Autocrine Communication↗