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Published on: January 29, 2018
Protein profiling identified dissociations between growth hormone-mediated longitudinal growth and bone
Björn Andersson1, Ralph Decker, Andreas F M Nierop
1Göteborg Pediatric Growth Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. bjorn.k.andersson@vgregion.se
Insights
Growth hormone (GH) treatment in children impacts bone mineralization and height differently. Proteomics identified specific serum proteins linked to bone density changes, suggesting distinct regulatory mechanisms for growth and bone health.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Proteomics
- Pediatric Bone Health
Background:
- Growth hormone (GH) is crucial for longitudinal bone growth and mineralization.
- Short stature in children often necessitates GH therapy to improve growth outcomes.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying GH's effects on bone is essential for optimizing treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum protein expression patterns associated with height-adjusted bone mineralization in short prepubertal children undergoing GH treatment.
- To compare these patterns with those related to longitudinal bone growth.
- To identify specific biomarkers indicative of GH's effect on bone metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a proteomic approach to analyze serum samples from children receiving GH treatment.
- Employed regression models to correlate serum protein expression with changes in height-adjusted bone mineralization and longitudinal growth.
- Identified specific protein peaks and their corresponding identities.
Main Results:
- Identified 37 significant protein expression peaks in regression models.
- 27 peaks were uniquely associated with changes in height-adjusted bone mineralization.
- 7 peaks were uniquely associated with changes in height, with identified proteins including apolipoproteins, transthyretin, serum amyloid A4, and hemoglobin beta.
Conclusions:
- Proteomics can identify specific serum protein patterns linked to bone mineralization changes during GH therapy.
- Height-adjusted bone mineralization and longitudinal bone growth are regulated by partially overlapping and distinct mechanisms.
- Protein isoforms and post-translational modifications may play a role, warranting further clinical validation.
Abstract:
Growth hormone (GH) promotes longitudinal growth and bone mineralization. In this study, a proteomic approach was used to analyze the association between serum protein expression pattern and height-adjusted bone mineralization in short prepubertal children receiving GH treatment. Patterns of protein expression were compared with those associated with longitudinal bone growth. Specific protein expression patterns associated with changes in height-adjusted bone mineralization in response to GH treatment were identified. Out of the 37 peaks found in significant regression models, 27 were uniquely present in models correlated with changes in bone mineralization and 7 peaks were uniquely present in models correlated with changes in height. The peaks identified corresponded to apolipoproteins, transthyretin, serum amyloid A4 and hemoglobin beta. We conclude that a proteomic approach could be used to identify specific protein expression patterns associated with bone mineralization in response to GH treatment and that height-adjusted bone mineralization and longitudinal bone growth are regulated partly by the same and partly by different mechanisms. Protein isoforms with different post-translational modifications might be of importance in the regulation of these processes. However, further validation is needed to assess the clinical significance of the results.
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