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Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1): a growth hormone
1Endocrinology and Diabetes Research Unit, WHO Collaborating Center for the Study of Diabetes in Youth, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, 14 Kaplan Street, Petah Tikva 49202, Tel Aviv, Israel. laronz@clalit.org.il
Molecular Pathology : MP
|September 29, 2001
Summary
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is crucial for growth, acting both independently and synergistically with growth hormone (GH). Studies on isolated IGF-1 deficiency demonstrate its significant role in both prenatal and postnatal development.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Growth Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) are key regulators of somatic growth.
- The precise interplay and independent roles of GH and IGF-1 in growth remain a subject of scientific inquiry.
- Understanding these roles is critical for diagnosing and treating growth disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent and synergistic roles of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in human and animal growth.
- To contribute evidence to the ongoing debate regarding the mechanisms of GH and IGF-1 action on growth processes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of growth patterns in human subjects with Laron syndrome (primary IGF-1 deficiency and GH resistance).
- Examination of animal models, including IGF-1 gene knockout (KO) and GH receptor gene knockout mice.
- Longitudinal follow-up of patients with isolated IGF-1 deficiency and assessment of growth responses to IGF-1 therapy.
Main Results:
- Newborns with Laron syndrome are significantly shorter than healthy infants, indicating IGF-1's role in intrauterine growth.
- IGF-1 gene KO mice exhibit reduced body size (30% smaller).
- Patients with isolated IGF-1 deficiency show slow postnatal growth, reduced final height, and organ development issues; IGF-1 therapy significantly accelerates linear growth.
Conclusions:
- Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a critical growth factor, mediating the anabolic and linear growth effects of pituitary GH.
- IGF-1 possesses a growth-stimulating effect independent of GH.
- The synergistic action of IGF-1 with GH may optimize growth, particularly in cartilage cells.