The last 10 years have seen polypeptide growth factors emerge as a group of trophic regulatory substances distinct from hormones, albeit with a number of shared characteristics. Like hormones growth factors regulate a number of cellular functions, including proliferation, by receptor-mediated mechanisms. Unlike hormones growth factors are not, as a rule, produced by specialized cells in discrete glands. Rather, they are produced diffusely from a wide variety of cell and tissue types. Of particular importance to their classification is an appreciation of the method of transport of a growth factor to its target.

Endocrine substances are elaborated in specific cell types and are transported to distantly removed target cells by means of the bloodstream. At their target site they interact with specific, high-affinity receptors. Paracrine factors differ only in that the released trophic factor travels to its target cell by diffusion. Target cells bearing receptors are situated in close proximity

The regulation of cell growth and function that occurs during development, in differentiated cell homeostasis and in wound healing, is determined by two distinct classes of trophic factors: classical endocrine hormones and paracrine or autocrine growth factors. Regulation of hormone activity is achieved by tight control of their synthesis, and especially release, by cells in discrete glands, linked to the limited expression of high-affinity receptors by defined, distant target cells. In contrast, growth factors and their receptors are often constitutively expressed and the former are exported to the extracellular milieu by most normal tissues. How then are target cells protected from constitutive activation by locally produced growth factors? This may be achieved by another tier of target cell-specific regulatory signals.

Once exteriorized, many growth factors are stored in significant quantities in pericellular depots adjacent to their target cells, often complexed with other binding molecules either in the tissue fluid or

Diabetic nephropathy is characterised by an increase in glomerular and tubular fibrosis that compromises kidney function. The transforming growth factor-betas (TGF-betas) have been shown to play a major role in fibrosis and we have shown that TGF-beta2, in particular, increases co-ordinately with fibrogenesis in the diabetic kidney. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in expression of extracellular matrix molecules in the diabetic kidney, with and without systemic administration of a recombinant human monoclonal antibody to TGF-beta2. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were split into two groups. The first were treated with 5 mg/kg irrelevant control IgG4 (placebo) and the second treated with 5 mg/kg isoform-specific recombinant monoclonal anti-TGF-beta2 IgG4 (termed CAT-152) systemically every second day for 14 days. A further group of six non-diabetic rats was also used as a control. Various biological parameters were measured daily throughout the experimental period, and on termination of the experiment at 14 days Western blotting was performed on kidney cortices for procollagen-I C-propeptide, which is an indicator of the rate of collagen-I synthesis within the kidney. In the placebo-treated diabetic rats, blood glucose, food consumption, urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and kidney weights were all significantly higher than in the non-diabetic group (P<0.05, n=24, by ANOVA). In the anti-TGF-beta2-treated diabetic rats, kidney weights and UAE levels were decreased when compared with those in placebo-treated diabetics. Western blotting for the procollagen-I C-propeptide in kidney cortices showed a significant increase in levels in placebo-treated diabetic rats compared with non-diabetic controls over the 14 day diabetic period, indicating initiation of fibrogenesis. By contrast, in anti-TGF-beta2-treated diabetic rats, levels of the propeptide remained at non-diabetic levels. In summary, a significant suppression of kidney fibrosis was seen in anti-TGF-beta2-treated diabetic rats, compared with placebo-treated diabetic rats. We conclude that systemic delivery of CAT-152, a neutralising anti-TGF-beta2 antibody, during the acute stages of diabetic nephropathy reduces the rate of pathogenic fibrosis in the kidney.

ABSTRACT

Chondrogenesis is thought to be controlled by interactions between circulating anabolic hormones and locally produced peptide growth factors, and involves ordered changes in matrix composition which ultimately allow endochondral calcification. We have used a model of isolated ovine fetal growth-plate chondrocytes to examine the actions and interactions of basic fibroblast growth factor (basic FGF), insulin-like growth factors-I and -II (IGF-I and -II), insulin and transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁) on total protein, collagen or non-collagenous protein and sulphated glycosaminoglycan synthesis. These parameters were determined by assessment of the incorporation by monolayer cultures of early passage chondrocytes of [³H]leucine, [¹⁴C]proline and [³⁵S]sulphate respectively, followed by partial molecular characterization. Basic FGF enhanced total protein synthesis with a half-maximal effective concentration of 270 ± 60 pmol/l (mean ± s.e.m., four animals) and was sixfold more active on a molar basis than IGF-I or insulin, and 28-fold more active that IGF-II which is the endogenously synthesized IGF. The actions of basic FGF were additive to those of IGF-I or insulin. More detailed analysis of extracellular-matrix component synthesis showed that basic FGF, IGF-I and insulin each caused significant increases in the synthesis of collagen and sulphated glycosaminoglycans. TGF-β₁ had no effect on total protein synthesis by chondrocytes when present alone at concentrations of 200 pmol/l or less, but was inhibitory at 400 pmol/l. However, the use of this parameter masked a stimulatory action of 50 or 100 pmol TGF-β₁ on sulphated glycosaminoglycan synthesis and a relative shift in the ratio of collagen: non-collagenous protein synthesis in favour of the former. A synergistic interaction existed between TGF-β₁ (20–100 pmol/l) and basic FGF which potentiated total protein and collagen synthesis, and their actions on sulphated glycosaminoglycan production were additive. The same concentrations of TGF-β₁ inhibited the ability of IGF-I or insulin to stimulate total protein or collagen synthesis, but were additive to their stimulatory effects on sulphated glycosaminoglycan synthesis. The results suggest that matrix-molecule composition and the anabolic status of the epiphyseal growth-plate may be modulated in utero by multiple interactions between peptide growth factors produced locally, such as basic FGF, IGF-II and TGF-β₁, and circulating hormones such as insulin and IGF-I.

Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 133, 363–373

ABSTRACT

We have used a recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (basic FGF) to study its effects on cell proliferation, gene expression and accumulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and inositol phosphates in two well-characterized endocrine cell lines, FRTL-5 rat thyroid and GH₃ rat pituitary cells. Basic FGF induced a dose-dependent increase in mitogenesis (assessed by measuring incorporation of [³H]thymidine) in FRTL-5 cells (40 ng basic FGF/ml increased mitogenesis above the control value by 2148±108% (mean ± s.e.m.), but inhibited mitogenesis in GH₃ cells at all doses (85±4% of control with 40 ng basic FGF/ml)). Thyroglobulin mRNA concentration was increased in FRTL-5 cells (126±6% of control with 40 ng basic FGF/ml) as was prolactin mRNA in GH₃ cells (246±11% of control with 40 ng basic FGF/ml), but GH mRNA in GH₃ cells was not significantly affected by any dose of basic FGF. Intracellular cAMP was reduced by basic FGF in both FRTL-5 and GH₃ cells (40 ng bFGF/ml giving 80±5% of the control value in FRTL-5, and 67±15% of the control value in GH₃ cells) despite increased levels when FRTL-5 cells were stimulated with 150 μU TSH/ml (5645±484% of control) or GH₃ cells were stimulated by 10 μmol forskolin/1 (3347±396% of control). In both FRTL-5 and GH₃ cells, accumulation of [³H]inositol phosphates was increased by 40 ng basic FGF/ml (201±6 and 330±51% of control values respectively).

We have shown that basic FGF has different effects on mitogenesis in the two cell lines; gene expression and accumulation of inositol phosphates were increased in both, whereas the intracellular concentration of cAMP was decreased. The actions of basic FGF may be mediated through both inhibition of adenylate cyclase and hydrolysis of phosphatidyl inositol bisphosphate as has been proposed for 3T3 fibroblasts. Our data suggest that there may be a physiological role for basic FGF in both thyroid and pituitary tissue.

Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 127, 39–46

Goitrogenesis is accompanied by hyperplasia and hypertrophy and involves tissue remodelling and angiogenesis. During the involution of the goitre there must be removal of this increased thyroid volume, in addition to further remodelling, which may involve apoptosis. We investigated apoptosis in the involuting rat thyroid using male Fisher rats that were on a goitrogenic regimen for 14 days and then returned to a normal diet. Thyroid weights increased fourfold with the goitrogenic regimen. During involution, the largest decrease in weight was between day 2 and day 4 after withdrawal of treatment. After 34 days of involution, the thyroid weight plateaued, but had not returned to control values. High levels of Bcl-2 immunoreactivity were observed in normal and goitrous rat thyroids. These high levels were significantly reduced at 2 days of involution, after which high levels of Bcl-2 immunoreactivity returned. In situ end-labelling of apoptotic cells showed that there was an increase in the number of cells undergoing DNA fragmentation during goitrogenesis (1.0+/-0.8 cells/100 cells, n=9) compared with controls, in which no positive staining was observed. After 2 days of goitrogen withdrawal, there was a further fourfold increase in the number of in situ end-labelled cells (day 16: 4.1+/-1.7, n=9). Numbers of positive cells returned to low levels after 4 days of involution (day 18: 0.3+/-0.8, n=9). Using antiserum to apoptosis-specific protein, we found increased immunoreactivity during goitrogenesis and after 2 days of involution that was localised predominantly with the stromal and vascular tissue at both time points. The data show that rapid downregulation of Bcl-2 accompanies thyroid involution, which involves increased levels of apoptosis within the stromal compartment.

Abstract

Administration of a goitrogen (methimazole) and a low iodine diet to rats over a two-week period resulted in hypothyroidism and thyroid hyperplasia compared with controls (control: total serum thyroxine (T₄) 66 ± 4 nmol/l, thyroid weight 5±1 mg/100 g body weight; experimental: T₄ undetectable, thyroid weight 27 ± 4 mg/100 g body weight after 2 weeks of treatment; mean ± s.d., n=10). Immunohistochemistry carried out using a specific endothelial cell marker, CD31, and morphometric analysis (point counting of immunopositive cells) revealed that the progression of goitre in the rat thyroid is accompanied by an increase in capillary endothelial cell growth (neovascularisation). Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) immunohistochemistry revealed widespread staining for the protein in the follicular cells of control glands. Less intense staining was found in the stroma and follicular cell nuclei. During hyperplasia and subsequent neovascularisation there was a progressive increase in the FGF-2 immunoreactivity at all locations during the two-week treatment period. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) immunoreactivity in the control rat thyroid was found in the stroma and in the endothelial cells, while weak follicular cell staining was also present. In the goitrous rat thyroid the TSP1 immunoreactivity was present after 1 week of treatment in the endothelial cells and most follicular cells, whilst stromal localisation was weak. After week 2 of treatment the endothelial cell and stromal localisation was no longer apparent, although a follicular localisation was still present. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) immunoreactivity was present in the cytoplasm of a minority of the follicular cells in control rat thyroids, while their nuclei were unstained. In the goitrous rat thyroid an increased intensity of staining for TGFβ1 was seen in all follicular cells, many of which now also demonstrated immunopositive nuclei, within one week of goitrogen administration. These results show that in the hyperplastic thyroid increases in FGF-2 and TGFβ1, and decreases in TSP1, accompany angiogenesis. These factors may interact in an autocrine/paracrine relationship to stimulate the neovascularisation that occurs during goitre formation.

Journal of Endocrinology (1996) 148, 485–499

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) has been reported to influence the growth rate and iodine uptake and organification in vitro by isolated thyrocytes. We have determined changes in the expression and presence of TGF-β1 within the rat thyroid during goitre induction, and subsequent involution following goitrogen withdrawal. Hyperplastic goitres were induced in adult rats by administration of methimazole together with a low iodine diet for up to 12 weeks. Goitrogen-treated rats quickly became hypothyroid compared with controls, and exhibited thyroid hyperplasia and hypertrophy assessed by thyroid weight, and DNA and protein content (control: total serum thyroxine (T₄) 66 ± 4 nmol/l, thyroid weight 5 ± 1 mg/100 g body weight, mean ± s.d., n = 10; 2 weeks goitrogen: T₄ undetectable, thyroid weight 27 ± 4 mg/100 g, n = 10). Thyroid growth rate slowed subsequently between 2 and 10 weeks. Messenger RNA for TGF-β1 was compared in the thyroids and livers of control and goitrous rats by ribonuclease protection assay. Low levels of mRNA for TGF-β1 were detected in thyroids from control rats at all time-points, while TGF-β1 mRNA was barely detectable in liver. Thyroid TGF-β1 mRNA levels substantially and progressively increased at 1 and 2 weeks of goitrogen treatment respectively, and remained above control levels at 4 and 10 weeks. As thyroid involution occurred 4 weeks following goitrogen withdrawal, so thyroid TGF-β1 mRNA levels declined. In control animals, the cellular localization of TGF-β1 mRNA, determined by in situ hybridization, was found to be a subpopulation of follicular epithelial cells, and immunohistochemical co-localization of TGF-β1 and calcitonin identified these tentatively as parafollicular or C-cells. During goitre formation, abundant TGF-β1 mRNA and peptide were found to be widely distributed within the entire follicular epithelium. While this ubiquitous distribution had largely disappeared in the involuting gland, TGF-β1 peptide was retained within the parafollicular cells, which appeared more abundant than in thyroids from control animals. These results suggest that an increased local expression of TGF-β1, a putative growth inhibitor, during thyroid hyperplasia may contribute to the temporal stabilization of goitre size.

Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 141, 45–57

Abstract

Goitre was induced in adult rats by acute (1 or 2 weeks) or chronic (4 or 10 weeks) administration of methimazole together with a low iodine diet. Involution of thyroid growth was then observed at 16 weeks, 4 weeks after withdrawal of goitrogens and reversion to a normal diet. Experimental animals quickly became hypothyroid compared with controls and exhibited thyroid hyperplasia (control (n=10): total serum thyroxine (T₄) 66 ±4 nmol/l, thyroid weight 5 ± 1 mg/100 g body weight, means± s.d.; experimental (n=10): T₄ undetectable, thyroid weight 27 ±4 mg/100 g body weight after 2 weeks of treatment). Thyroid growth rate subsequently slowed between 2 and 10 weeks. Messenger RNA for basic fibroblast growth factor (basic FGF) and for the high-affinity FGF receptor, was compared in the thyroids and livers of control and goitrous rats by ribonuclease protection assay. Low levels of mRNA for basic FGF and its receptor were detectable in thyroids from control rats at all times, while none was detected in the livers from any animal. Basic FGF and receptor mRNAs increased, and were detected at greatest abundance in hyperplastic thyroids at 1 and 2 weeks respectively, during goitre formation, but subsequently declined in parallel with thyroid growth rate at 4 and 10 weeks. When quantified by radioimmunoassay, basic FGF extracted from thyroids was fivefold greater than in controls after 1 week of goitrogen treatment (control (n=4): 24±9 pmol/μg DNA; goitre (n=4): 100± 16 pmol/μg DNA; P<0·05). Basic FGF and FGF receptor mRNAs localized by in situ hybridization predominantly to the epithelial cell population within follicles. Localization by immunohistochemistry demonstrated that basic FGF was present in the thyroids of control rats, and was largely associated with the basement membrane of follicles. During thyroid hyperplasia, increased basic FGF immunoreactivity appeared over the cytoplasm of follicular epithelial cells and was lost from the extracellular matrix. Thyroid involution following removal of goitrogen/low iodine treatment was associated with a decrease in mRNA for basic FGF or its receptor, and a loss of immunoreactive basic FGF from the cytoplasm of follicular cells. These results suggest that autocrine expression of basic FGF and FGF receptor could contribute to thyroid hyperplasia in rats.

Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 142, 325–338

Melanocortin receptor accessory protein 2 (MRAP2) is a transmembrane accessory protein predominantly expressed in the brain. Both global and brain-specific deletion of Mrap2 in mice results in severe obesity. Loss-of-function MRAP2 mutations have also been associated with obesity in humans. Although MRAP2 has been shown to interact with MC4R, a G protein-coupled receptor with an established role in energy homeostasis, appetite regulation and lipid metabolism, the mechanisms through which loss of MRAP2 causes obesity remains uncertain. In this study, we used two independently derived lines of Mrap2 deficient mice (Mrap2 ^tm1a/tm1a ) to further study the role of Mrap2 in the regulation of energy balance and peripheral lipid metabolism. Mrap2 ^tm1a/tm1a mice have a significant increase in body weight, with increased fat and lean mass, but without detectable changes in food intake or energy expenditure. Transcriptomic analysis showed significantly decreased expression of Sim1, Trh, Oxt and Crh within the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of Mrap2 ^tm1a/tm1a mice. Circulating levels of both high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein were significantly increased in Mrap2 deficient mice. Taken together, these data corroborate the role of MRAP2 in metabolic regulation and indicate that, at least in part, this may be due to defective central melanocortin signalling.