Differential expression of WNT5A long and short isoforms in non-muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma.

Wnt ligands belong to a family of secreted glycoproteins in which binding to a range of receptors/co-receptors activates several intracellular pathways. WNT5A, a member of the Wnt family, is classified as a non-canonical Wnt whose activation triggers planar cell polarity (PCP) and Ca+2 downstream pathways. Aberrant expression of WNT5A has been shown to play both protective and harmful roles in an array of conditions, such as inflammatory disease and cancer. In the present study, using histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular methods, we investigated the expression of two isoforms of WNT5A, WNT5A-Short (WNT5A-S) and WNT5A-Long (WNT5A-L) in bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC). Three UC cell lines (RT4, J82, and T24), as well as a normal urothelial cell line, and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) transurethral resection (TUR) tissue samples from 17 patients diagnosed with UC were included in the study. WNT5A-L was the predominantly expressed isoform in urothelial cells, although WNT5A-S was also detectable. Further, although no statistically significant difference was found between the percentage of WNT5A-S transcripts in low-grade versus high-grade tumors, we did find a difference between the percentage of WNT5A-S transcripts found in non-invasion versus invasion of the lamina propria, subgroups of non-muscle-invasive tumors. In conclusion, both WNT5A-S and WNT5A-L isoforms are expressed in UC, and the percentage of their expression levels suggests that a higher proportion of WNT5A-S transcription may be associated with lamina propria invasion, a process preceding muscle invasion.

Beyond linear regression: Modeling COVID-19 clinical cases with wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 for the city of Athens and Ohio University campus.

Wastewater-based surveillance has emerged as a detection tool for population-wide infectious diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Infected individuals shed the virus, which can be detected in wastewater using molecular techniques such as reverse transcription-digital polymerase chain reaction (RT-dPCR). This study examined the association between the number of clinical cases and the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater beyond linear regression and for various normalizations of viral loads. Viral loads were measured in a total of 446 wastewater samples during the period from August 2021 to April 2022. These samples were collected from nine different locations, with 220 samples taken from four specific sites within the city of Athens and 226 samples from five sites within Ohio University. The correlation between COVID-19 cases and wastewater viral concentrations, which was estimated using the Pearson correlation coefficient, was statistically significant and ranged from 0.6 to 0.9. In addition, time-lagged cross correlation was applied to identify the lag time between clinical and wastewater data, estimated 4 to 7 days. While we also explored the effect on the correlation coefficients of various normalizations of viral loads accounting for procedural loss or amount of fecal material and of estimated lag times, these alternative specifications did not change our substantive conclusions. Additionally, several linear and non-linear regression models were applied to predict the COVID-19 cases given wastewater data as input. The non-linear approach was found to yield the highest R-squared and Pearson correlation and lowest Mean Absolute Error values between the predicted and actual number of COVID-19 cases for both aggregated OHIO Campus and city data. Our results provide support for previous studies on correlation and time lag and new evidence that non-linear models, approximated with artificial neural networks, should be implemented for WBS of contagious diseases.

Apolipoprotein A4 Elevates Sympathetic Activity and Thermogenesis in Male Mice.

Long-chain fatty acids induce apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) production in the small intestine and activate brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. The increase in BAT thermogenesis enhances triglyceride clearance and insulin sensitivity. Acute administration of recombinant APOA4 protein elevates BAT thermogenesis in chow-fed mice. However, the physiological role of continuous infusion of recombinant APOA4 protein in regulating sympathetic activity, thermogenesis, and lipid and glucose metabolism in low-fat-diet (LFD)-fed mice remained elusive. The hypothesis of this study was that continuous infusion of mouse APOA4 protein would increase sympathetic activity and thermogenesis in BAT and subcutaneous inguinal white adipose tissue (IWAT), attenuate plasma lipid levels, and improve glucose tolerance. To test this hypothesis, sympathetic activity, BAT temperature, energy expenditure, body weight, fat mass, caloric intake, glucose tolerance, and levels of BAT and IWAT thermogenic and lipolytic proteins, plasma lipids, and markers of fatty acid oxidation in the liver in mice with APOA4 or saline treatment were measured. Plasma APOA4 levels were elevated, BAT temperature and thermogenesis were upregulated, and plasma triglyceride (TG) levels were reduced, while body weight, fat mass, caloric intake, energy expenditure, and plasma cholesterol and leptin levels were comparable between APOA4- and saline-treated mice. Additionally, APOA4 infusion stimulated sympathetic activity in BAT and liver but not in IWAT. APOA4-treated mice had greater fatty acid oxidation but less TG content in the liver than saline-treated mice had. Plasma insulin in APOA4-treated mice was lower than that in saline-treated mice after a glucose challenge. In conclusion, continuous infusion of mouse APOA4 protein stimulated sympathetic activity in BAT and the liver, elevated BAT thermogenesis and hepatic fatty acid oxidation, and consequently attenuated levels of plasma and hepatic TG and plasma insulin without altering caloric intake, body weight gain and fat mass.

Increased BAT Thermogenesis in Male Mouse Apolipoprotein A4 Transgenic Mice.

Dietary lipids induce apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) production and brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. Administration of exogenous APOA4 elevates BAT thermogenesis in chow-fed mice, but not high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Chronic feeding of HFD attenuates plasma APOA4 production and BAT thermogenesis in wildtype (WT) mice. In light of these observations, we sought to determine whether steady production of APOA4 could keep BAT thermogenesis elevated, even in the presence of HFD consumption, with an aim toward eventual reduction of body weight, fat mass and plasma lipid levels. Transgenic mice with overexpression of mouse APOA4 in the small intestine (APOA4-Tg mice) produce greater plasma APOA4 than their WT controls, even when fed an atherogenic diet. Thus, we used these mice to investigate the correlation of levels of APOA4 and BAT thermogenesis during HFD consumption. The hypothesis of this study was that overexpression of mouse APOA4 in the small intestine and increased plasma APOA4 production would increase BAT thermogenesis and consequently reduce fat mass and plasma lipids of HFD-fed obese mice. To test this hypothesis, BAT thermogenic proteins, body weight, fat mass, caloric intake, and plasma lipids in male APOA4-Tg mice and WT mice fed either a chow diet or a HFD were measured. When fed a chow diet, APOA4 levels were elevated, plasma triglyceride (TG) levels were reduced, and BAT levels of UCP1 trended upward, while body weight, fat mass, caloric intake, and plasma lipids were comparable between APOA4-Tg and WT mice. After a four-week feeding of HFD, APOA4-Tg mice maintained elevated plasma APOA4 and reduced plasma TG, but UCP1 levels in BAT were significantly elevated in comparison to WT controls; body weight, fat mass and caloric intake were still comparable. After 10-week consumption of HFD, however, while APOA4-Tg mice still exhibited increased plasma APOA4, UCP1 levels and reduced TG levels, a reduction in body weight, fat mass and levels of plasma lipids and leptin were finally observed in comparison to their WT controls and independent of caloric intake. Additionally, APOA4-Tg mice exhibited increased energy expenditure at several time points when measured during the 10-week HFD feeding. Thus, overexpression of APOA4 in the small intestine and maintenance of elevated levels of plasma APOA4 appear to correlate with elevation of UCP1-dependent BAT thermogenesis and subsequent protection against HFD-induced obesity in mice.

Consequences of Both Coxsackievirus B4 and Type 1 Diabetes on Female Non-Obese Diabetic Mouse Kidneys.

Despite the 2019 Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health Initiative, kidney disease has moved up in rank from the 9th to the 8th leading cause of death in the United States. A recent push in the field of nephrology has been to identify molecular markers and/or molecular profiles involved in kidney disease process or injury that can help identify the cause of injury and predict patient outcomes. While these studies have had moderate success, they have not yet considered that many of the health conditions that cause kidney disease (diabetes, hypertension, etc.) can also be caused by environmental factors (such as viruses), which in and of themselves can cause kidney disease. Thus, the goal of this study was to identify molecular and phenotypic profiles that can differentiate kidney injury caused by diabetes (a health condition resulting in kidney disease) and coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) exposure (which can cause diabetes and/or kidney disease), both alone and together. Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice were used for this study due to their susceptibility to both type 1 diabetes (T1D)- and CVB4-mediated kidney injury, in order to glean a better understanding of how hyperglycemia and viral exposure, when occurring on their own and in combination, may alter the kidneys' molecular and phenotypic profiles. While no changes in kidney function were observed, molecular biomarkers of kidney injury were significantly up- and downregulated based on T1D and CVB4 exposure, both alone and together, but not in a predictable pattern. By combining individual biomarkers with function and phenotypic measurements (i.e., urinary albumin creatinine ratio, serum creatinine, kidney weight, and body weight), we were able to perform an unbiased separation of injury group based on the type of injury. This study provides evidence that unique kidney injury profiles within a kidney disease health condition are identifiable, and will help us to identify the causes of kidney injury in the future.

Central Apolipoprotein A-IV Stimulates Thermogenesis in Brown Adipose Tissue.

Stimulation of thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) could have far-reaching health benefits in combatting obesity and obesity-related complications. Apolipoprotein A-IV (ApoA-IV), produced by the gut and the brain in the presence of dietary lipids, is a well-known short-term satiating protein. While our previous studies have demonstrated reduced diet-induced thermogenesis in ApoA-IV-deficient mice, it is unclear whether this reduction is due to a loss of peripheral or central effects of ApoA-IV. We hypothesized that central administration of ApoA-IV stimulates BAT thermogenesis and that sympathetic and sensory innervation is necessary for this action. To test this hypothesis, mice with unilateral denervation of interscapular BAT received central injections of recombinant ApoA-IV protein or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The effects of central ApoA-IV on BAT temperature and thermogenesis in mice with unilateral denervation of the intrascapular BAT were monitored using transponder probe implantation, qPCR, and immunoblots. Relative to CSF, central administration of ApoA-IV significantly increased temperature and UCP expression in BAT. However, all of these effects were significantly attenuated or prevented in mice with unilateral denervation. Together, these results clearly demonstrate that ApoA-IV regulates BAT thermogenesis centrally, and this effect is mediated through sympathetic and sensory nerves.

ApoB48 as an Efficient Regulator of Intestinal Lipid Transport.

Fatty meals induce intestinal secretion of chylomicrons (CMs) containing apolipoprotein (Apo) B48. These CMs travel via the lymphatic system before entering the circulation. ApoB48 is produced after post-transcriptional RNA modification by Apobec-1 editing enzyme, exclusively in the small intestine of humans and most other mammals. In contrast, in the liver where Apobec-1 editing enzyme is not expressed (except in rats and mice), the unedited transcript encodes a larger protein, ApoB100, which is used in the formation of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) to transport liver-synthesized fat to peripheral tissues. Apobec-1 knockout (KO) mice lack the ability to perform ApoB RNA editing, and thus, express ApoB100 in the intestine. These mice, maintained on either a chow diet or high fat diet, have body weight gain and food intake comparable to their wildtype (WT) counterparts on the respective diet; however, they secrete larger triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoprotein particles and at a slower rate than the WT mice. Using a lymph fistula model, we demonstrated that Apobec-1 KO mice also produced fewer CMs and exhibited reduced lymphatic transport of TG in response to duodenal infusion of TG at a moderate dose; in contrast, the Apobec-1 KO and WT mice had similar lymphatic transport of TG when they received a high dose of TG. Thus, the smaller, energy-saving ApoB48 appears to play a superior role in comparison with ApoB100 in the control of intestinal lipid transport in response to dietary lipid intake, at least at low to moderate lipid levels.

Coxsackievirus B4 Exposure Results in Variable Pattern Recognition Response in the Kidneys of Female Non-Obese Diabetic Mice Before Establishment of Diabetes.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is described by four primary diagnoses, diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis, and cystic kidney disease, all of which have viruses implicated as causative agents. Enteroviruses, such as coxsackievirus (CV), are a common genus of viruses that have been implicated in both diabetes and cystic kidney disease; however, little is known about how CVs cause kidney injury and ESRD or predispose individuals with a genetic susceptibility to type 1 diabetes (T1D) to kidney injury. This study evaluated kidney injury resulting from coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) inoculation of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice to glean a better understanding of how viral exposure may predispose individuals with a genetic susceptibility to T1D to kidney injury. The objectives were to assess acute and chronic kidney damage in CVB4-inoculated NOD mice without diabetes. Results indicated the presence of CVB4 RNA in the kidney for at least 14 days post-CVB4 inoculation and a coordinated pattern recognition receptor response, but the absence of an immune response or cytotoxicity. CVB4-inoculated NOD mice also had a higher propensity to develop an increase in mesangial area 17 weeks post-CVB4 inoculation. These studies identified initial gene expression changes in the kidney resulting from CVB4 exposure that may predispose to ESRD. Thus, this study provides an initial characterization of kidney injury resulting from CVB4 inoculation of mice that are genetically susceptible to developing T1D that may one day provide better therapeutic options and predictive measures for patients who are at risk for developing kidney disease from T1D.

Apolipoprotein A-IV Enhances Fatty Acid Uptake by Adipose Tissues of Male Mice via Sympathetic Activation.

Apolipoprotein A-IV (ApoA-IV) synthesized by the gut regulates lipid metabolism. Sympathetic innervation of adipose tissues also controls lipid metabolism. We hypothesized that ApoA-IV required sympathetic innervation to increase fatty acid (FA) uptake by adipose tissues and brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. After 3 weeks feeding of either a standard chow diet or a high-fat diet (HFD), mice with unilateral denervation of adipose tissues received intraperitoneal administration of recombinant ApoA-IV protein and intravenous infusion of lipid mixture with radioactive triolein. In chow-fed mice, ApoA-IV administration increased FA uptake by intact BAT but not the contralateral denervated BAT or intact white adipose tissue (WAT). Immunoblots showed that, in chow-fed mice, ApoA-IV increased expression of lipoprotein lipase and tyrosine hydroxylase in both intact BAT and inguinal WAT (IWAT), while ApoA-IV enhanced protein levels of ß3 adrenergic receptor, adipose triglyceride lipase, and uncoupling protein 1 in the intact BAT only. In HFD-fed mice, ApoA-IV elevated FA uptake by intact epididymal WAT (EWAT) but not intact BAT or IWAT. ApoA-IV increased sympathetic activity assessed by norepinephrine turnover (NETO) rate in BAT and EWAT of chow-fed mice, whereas it elevated NETO only in EWAT of HFD-fed mice. These observations suggest that, in chow-fed mice, ApoA-IV activates sympathetic activity of BAT and increases FA uptake by BAT via innervation, while in HFD-fed mice, ApoA-IV stimulates sympathetic activity of EWAT to shunt FAs into the EWAT.

Adiposity profile in the dwarf rat: an unusually lean model of profound growth hormone deficiency.

This study describes the previously uncharacterized ontogeny and regulation of truncal adipose reserves in the profoundly GH-deficient dwarf (dw/dw) rat. We show that, despite normal proportionate food intake, dw/dw rats develop abdominal leanness and hypoleptinemia (circulating leptin halved in dw/dw males, P < 0.05) during puberty. This contrasts with the hyperleptinemia seen in moderately GH-deficient Tgr rats (circulating leptin doubled at 6 wk of age, P < 0.05) and in GH receptor-binding protein (GHR/BP)-null mice (circulating leptin doubled; P < 0.05). This lean/hypoleptinemic phenotype was not completely normalized by GH treatment, but dw/dw rats developed abdominal obesity in response to neonatal MSG treatment or maintenance on a high-fat diet. Unlike Tgr rats, dw/dw rats did not become obese with age; plasma leptin levels and fat pad weights became similar to those in wild-type rats. In contrast with truncal leanness, tibial marrow adiposity was normal in male and doubled in female dwarves (P < 0.01), this increase being attributable to increased adipocyte number (P < 0.01). Neonatal MSG treatment and high-fat feeding elevated marrow adiposity in dw/dw rats by inducing adipocyte enlargement (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that, despite lipolytic influence of GH, severe GH deficiency in dw/dw rats is accompanied by a paradoxical leanness. This lean/hypoleptinemic phenotype is not solely attributable to reduced GH signaling and does not appear to result from a reduction in nutrient intake or the ability of dw/dw adipocytes to accumulate lipid. Disruption of preadipocyte differentiation or adipocyte proliferation in the dw/dw rat may lead to the development of this unusually lean/hypoleptinemic phenotype.

Impact of androgens, growth hormone, and IGF-I on bone and muscle in male mice during puberty.

UNLABELLED: The interaction between androgens and GH/IGF-I was studied in male GHR gene disrupted or GHRKO and WT mice during puberty. Androgens stimulate trabecular and cortical bone modeling and increase muscle mass even in the absence of a functional GHR. GHR activation seems to be the main determinant of radial bone expansion, although GH and androgens are both necessary for optimal stimulation of periosteal growth during puberty. INTRODUCTION: Growth hormone (GH) is considered to be a major regulator of postnatal skeletal growth, whereas androgens are considered to be a key regulator of male periosteal bone expansion. Moreover, both androgens and GH are essential for the increase in muscle mass during male puberty. Deficiency or resistance to either GH or androgens impairs bone modeling and decreases muscle mass. The aim of the study was to investigate androgen action on bone and muscle during puberty in the presence and absence of a functional GH/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I axis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or testosterone (T) were administered to orchidectomized (ORX) male GH receptor gene knockout (GHRKO) and corresponding wildtype (WT) mice during late puberty (6-10 weeks of age). Trabecular and cortical bone modeling, cortical strength, body composition, IGF-I in serum, and its expression in liver, muscle, and bone were studied by histomorphometry, pQCT, DXA, radioimmunoassay and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: GH receptor (GHR) inactivation and low serum IGF-I did not affect trabecular bone modeling, because trabecular BMD, bone volume, number, width, and bone turnover were similar in GHRKO and WT mice. The normal trabecular phenotype in GHRKO mice was paralleled by a normal expression of skeletal IGF-I mRNA. ORX decreased trabecular bone volume significantly and to a similar extent in GHRKO and WT mice, whereas DHT and T administration fully prevented trabecular bone loss. Moreover, DHT and T stimulated periosteal bone formation, not only in WT (+100% and +100%, respectively, versus ORX + vehicle [V]; p < 0.05), but also in GHRKO mice (+58% and +89%, respectively, versus ORX + V; p < 0.05), initially characterized by very low periosteal growth. This stimulatory action on periosteal bone resulted in an increase in cortical thickness and occurred without any treatment effect on serum IGF-I or skeletal IGF-I expression. GHRKO mice also had reduced lean body mass and quadriceps muscle weight, along with significantly decreased IGF-I mRNA expression in quadriceps muscle. DHT and T equally stimulated muscle mass in GHRKO and WT mice, without any effect on muscle IGF-I expression. CONCLUSIONS: Androgens stimulate trabecular and cortical bone modeling and increase muscle weight independently from either systemic or local IGF-I production. GHR activation seems to be the main determinant of radial bone expansion, although GHR signaling and androgens are both necessary for optimal stimulation of periosteal growth during puberty.

Inhibition of estrogen-independent mammary carcinogenesis by disruption of growth hormone signaling.

Clinical trials and laboratory-based studies indicate that the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I axis may affect the development of breast cancer. The purpose of the present investigation was to develop a genetic model of mammary cancer to test the hypothesis that downregulation of GH signaling can substantially retard mammary cancer progression. We crossed the Laron mouse, in which the gene for the GH receptor/binding protein has been disrupted, with the C3(1)/TAg mouse, which develops estrogen receptor alpha negative mammary cancers. All mice used in our experiments were heterozygous for the large T antigen (TAg) and either homozygous wild-type for GHR (Ghr+/+) or null for GHR (Ghr-/-). Compared with the TAg/Ghr+/+ mice, the TAg/Ghr-/- mice showed delayed mammary cancer latency with significantly decreased multiplicity (9.8 +/- 1.4 versus 3.2 +/- 1.2) and volume (776.1 +/- 284.4 versus 50.5 +/- 8.9 mm3). Furthermore, the frequency of mammary hyperplasias was significantly reduced in the TAg/Ghr-/- mice (15.0 +/- 1.7 versus 6.8 +/- 1.7). To establish that these mammary cancers were estrogen-independent, 12-week-old TAg/Ghr+/+ mice, which lack visible hyperplasia, were either ovariectomized (ovx) or sham operated (sham). Compared with the sham group, ovariectomy resulted in no difference in the frequency of mammary hyperplasia, mammary tumor latency, incidence, multiplicity or tumor size. Together, these data demonstrate that the disruption of GH signaling significantly retards TAg-driven mammary carcinogenesis, and suggest that disrupting GH signaling may be an effective strategy to inhibit the progression of estrogen-independent breast cancer.

Effect of growth hormone on susceptibility to diet-induced obesity.

Mice with a deficiency in GH function due to disruption of the GH receptor/binding protein gene (GHR(-/-)) are long lived, insulin sensitive, and obese, whereas mice with excess GH function due to expression of a bovine GH transgene (bGH) are short lived, glucose intolerant, and lean. When challenged with a high-fat (HF) diet, we hypothesized that these mice would be differentially susceptible to diet-induced obesity. To test this hypothesis, GHR(-/-), bGH, and littermate control (WT) mice were fed a HF diet (40% kcal) or a nutrient-matched low-fat diet (9% kcal) for 12 wk. On the HF diet, all mice, regardless of genotype, showed a similar percent weight gain and exhibited a significant increase in percent body fat and the mass of epididymal, retroperitoneal, and sc fat pads. For bGH mice, the increase in adipose tissue was relatively small, compared with the WT or GHR(-/-) mice, suggesting some resiliency, although not immunity, to diet-induced obesity. GHR(-/-) mice, which are relatively obese on a low-fat diet, responded to the dietary challenge in a manner similar to WT controls. With HF feeding, all genotypes experienced an increase in insulin levels and depot-dependent effect of adipose tissue. Together, these results further support a role for GH in energy balance regulation and nutrient partitioning. More importantly, because there were genotype-specific effects of diet, these data stress the importance of diet selection and sampling multiple adipose depots in studies with these mouse models.

Aging-related characteristics of growth hormone receptor/binding protein gene-disrupted mice.

Since generation of the growth hormone receptor/binding protein (GHR/BP) gene-disrupted mouse nearly 10 years ago, use of this mouse model has become widespread in the elucidation of the physiological roles of GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). In particular, it serves as a useful model to study mechanisms of aging. This review highlights the evidence demonstrating that the loss of GH signaling leads to lifespan extension in mice, and presents the multiple characteristics of this mouse line that suggest the life extension is due to alteration of the aging process.

Growth hormone promotes glomerular lipid accumulation in bGH mice.

BACKGROUND: Bovine growth hormone (bGH) transgenic mice develop progressive glomerulosclerosis and exhibit abnormalities in hepatic lipid metabolism. We have previously shown that growth hormone up-regulates the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) in mouse mesangial cells. However, a role of lipid abnormalities in bGH kidney disease has not yet been demonstrated. METHODS: Groups of bGH mice (5 and 11 months old) presenting with, respectively, moderate and severe degrees of glomerulosclerosis were compared to age-matched controls. Neutral lipid content in kidney cortex was determined by oil red-O staining, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides by enzymatic assays, relative mRNA expression of LDL receptors, HMGR, and scavenger receptor by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and HMGR protein expression by immunoblotting. Two younger (5 and 12 weeks old) groups of mice were used to study scavenger receptor expression at earlier time points. RESULTS: Serum cholesterol was significantly increased in bGH mice at 5 months, but triglycerides were lower than control levels at both 5 and 11 months. Renal cortex HMGR expression was elevated at the mRNA but not at the protein level in the 11-month-old bGH group compared to controls. However, glomerular neutral lipid staining and scavenger receptor mRNA expression were markedly increased in all bGH mice, including those at 5 weeks of age compared to respective controls. CONCLUSION: The bGH mouse exhibits an increased mesangial lipid content and elevated scavenger receptor mRNA expression as early as at 5 weeks of age, suggesting that an increased kidney uptake of oxidized LDL could play a role in the development of glomerulosclerosis in this mouse model.

Disruption of growth hormone signaling retards early stages of prostate carcinogenesis in the C3(1)/T antigen mouse.

Recent epidemiological studies suggest that elevated serum titers of IGF-I, which are, to a large degree, regulated by GH, are associated with an increase in prostate cancer risk. The purpose of the current study was to develop the first animal models to directly test the hypothesis that a normal, functional GH/IGF-I axis is required for prostate cancer progression. The GH receptor (GHR) gene-disrupted mouse (Ghr(-/-)), which has less than 10% of the plasma IGF-I found in GHR wild-type mice, was crossed with the C3(1)/T antigen (Tag) mouse, which develops prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia driven by the large Tag that progress to invasive prostate carcinoma in a manner similar to the process observed in humans. Progeny of this cross were genotyped and Tag/Ghr(+/+) and Tag/Ghr(-/-) mice were killed at 9 months of age. Seven of eight Tag/Ghr(+/+) mice harbored prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia lesions of various grades. In contrast, only one of the eight Tag/Ghr(-/-) mice exhibited atypia (P < 0.01, Fischer's exact test). Disruption of the GHR gene altered neither prostate androgen receptor expression nor serum testosterone titers. Expression of the Tag oncogene was similar in the prostates of the two mouse strains. Immunohistochemistry revealed a significant decrease in prostate epithelial cell proliferation and an increase in basal apoptotic indices. These results indicate that disruption of GH signaling significantly inhibits prostate carcinogenesis.

Lack of contribution of 11betaHSD1 and glucocorticoid action to reduced muscle mass associated with reduced growth hormone action.

11Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11beta-HSD1) is expressed in several tissues and converts inactive glucocorticoids (GC) to active GC. 11betaHSD1 activity, evaluated by urine cortisol metabolites, is increased in patients with hypopituitarism and decreased by GH replacement. Skeletal muscle wasting is one of the major characteristics of GH deficiency (GHD). We hypothesized that increased 11betaHSD1 activity and increased GC action in skeletal muscle may play a role in the development of muscle atrophy observed in GHD patients. Glutamine synthetase (GS) mRNA in muscle has been reported to be related to GC-induced muscle atrophy. In this study, we measured mRNA levels of 11betaHSD1 and GS in skeletal muscle of GH receptor gene disrupted (GHR-/-) mice and of their age-matched wild-type mice controls to elucidate the physiological significance of 11betaHSD1 and GC in the development of GHD-associated muscle atrophy in vivo. We also measured the expression of these genes in hypertrophied muscles of giant, bovine GH transgenic mice. In skeletal muscle, although IGF-I mRNA levels were decreased in GHR-/- mice, 11betaHSD1 mRNA levels were not significantly changed compared to wild-type mice. In addition, expression level of 11betaHSD1 in muscle was lower compared to that seen in liver. GS mRNA in skeletal muscle of GHR-/- mice was not significantly different from that of controls. In bGH mice, 11betaHSD1 and GS mRNA levels were not altered compared to control mice. These data do not support a significant role of 11betaHSD1 and GC action in skeletal muscle in the development of muscle atrophy associated with GHD.

Muscle mechano growth factor is preferentially induced by growth hormone in growth hormone-deficient lit/lit mice.

Two muscle insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) mRNA splice variants (IGF-IEa and IGF-IEb) have been identified in rodents. IGF-IEb, also called mechano growth factor (MGF) has been found to be upregulated by exercise or muscle damage. Growth hormone (GH) is the principal regulator of IGF-I expression in several tissues including skeletal muscle. Therefore, we investigated the effect of chronic GH excess or disruption of GH receptor (GHR) signalling, and the acute effect of GH administration on expression of muscle IGF-I isoforms using transgenic mice that express bovine GH (bGH), GHR gene-disrupted (GHR-/-) mice and GH-deficient lit/lit mice before and after exogenous GH administration. MGF mRNA in skeletal muscle was increased in bGH mice whereas it was decreased in GHR-/- mice compared with control animals. Exogenous GH administration to dwarf lit/lit mice significantly increased muscle MGF but not IGF-IEa mRNA 4 h after treatment. Twelve hours after GH treatment, both MGF and IGF-IEa mRNAs in muscle were increased compared with vehicle-treated lit/lit mice. In contrast in GH-sufficient lit/+ mice, both MGF and IGF-IEa mRNAs were increased 4 h after and returned to the basal level 12 h after GH treatment. Hepatic IGF-I isoforms were regulated in parallel by GH. Thus, our results demonstrated that: (1) MGF mRNA in skeletal muscle is expressed in parallel with GH action; (2) MGF mRNA in muscle is produced preferentially in the situation of GH deficiency in contrast to the pattern in the GH-sufficient state; and (3) the induction of IGF-I isoforms by GH is tissue-specific.

Comparing adiposity profiles in three mouse models with altered GH signaling.

Three mouse lines with altered growth hormone (GH) signaling were used to study GH's role in adiposity. Dwarf GH receptor knockout mice (GHR -/-) and bovine GH antagonist expressing mice (GHA) had an increased percent body fat with most of the excess fat mass accumulating in the subcutaneous region. Giant bovine GH expressing mice (bGH) had a reduced percent body fat. Only GHA mice consumed significantly more food per body weight. Serum leptin levels were significantly increased in GHA mice and decreased in bGH mice but unchanged in the GHR -/- mice. Interestingly, serum adiponectin levels were significantly increased in the GHR -/- and GHA lines but decreased in bGH mice. These data suggest that suppression or absence of GH action and enhanced GH action indeed have opposite metabolic effects in terms of adiposity. Interestingly, adiponectin levels were positively correlated with previously reported insulin sensitivity of these mice, but also positively correlated with adiposity, which is contrary to findings in other mouse models. Thus, adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with GH function suggesting a role for adiponectin in GH-induced insulin resistance.

Disruption of growth hormone receptor gene causes diminished pancreatic islet size and increased insulin sensitivity in mice.

Growth hormone, acting through its receptor (GHR), plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism and in promoting postnatal growth. GHR gene-deficient (GHR(-/-)) mice exhibit severe growth retardation and proportionate dwarfism. To assess the physiological relevance of growth hormone actions, GHR(-/-) mice were used to investigate their phenotype in glucose metabolism and pancreatic islet function. Adult GHR(-/-) mice exhibited significant reductions in the levels of blood glucose and insulin, as well as insulin mRNA accumulation. Immunohistochemical analysis of pancreatic sections revealed normal distribution of the islets despite a significantly smaller size. The average size of the islets found in GHR(-/-) mice was only one-third of that in wild-type littermates. Total beta-cell mass was reduced 4.5-fold in GHR(-/-) mice, significantly more than their body size reduction. This reduction in pancreatic islet mass appears to be related to decreases in proliferation and cell growth. GHR(-/-) mice were different from the human Laron syndrome in serum insulin level, insulin responsiveness, and obesity. We conclude that growth hormone signaling is essential for maintaining pancreatic islet size, stimulating islet hormone production, and maintaining normal insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis.