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Updated: May 18, 2026
Comparative Analysis of Human Growth Hormone in Serum Using SPRi, Nano-SPRi and ELISA Assays
Published on: January 7, 2016
Quantification of growth hormone mRNA in blood
Brian N Kelly1, Doris M Haverstick, Mary Lee Vance
1Department of Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States. bkelly@smrtl.org
Background:
Growth hormone (GH) is present in human lymphocytes and the relative concentration of GH mRNA in circulating cells is reportedly increased in patients with acromegaly. No quantitative assay has been described to measure GH in circulating cells.
Methods:
To measure GH mRNA, we used real-time reverse-transcriptase (RT) quantitative PCR (qPCR) with nested primers, a synthetic nucleotide standard and SYBR Green I detection. Blood samples from volunteers with and without pituitary disorders were collected in PAXgene Blood RNA tubes. Essential MIQE guidelines were followed during sample preparation and assay development.
Results:
RT-qPCR assay was specific for GH mRNA and was linear from ≤ 90 to ≥ 90,000 copies of GH mRNA per reaction. Day-to-day imprecision (CV) was 31%-46% at mean concentrations of 3400 and 2630 copies/mL of blood, respectively (n=10). The variability (CV) of results in samples collected from a single individual over a year and assayed in a single run was 28% (n=17 samples). The mean concentrations of GH mRNA in blood were statistically indistinguishable in patients with acromegaly, control subjects, and patients receiving replacement doses of recombinant GH. Moreover, GH mRNA concentrations in blood were not correlated with concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I in plasma.
Conclusions:
The RT-PCR assay quantifies GH mRNA at concentrations present in circulating cells. The present study suggests that the absolute concentration of GH mRNA in circulating cells is not altered in patients with acromegaly.
