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Insulin-like growth factor I promotes leiomyoma cell growth in vitro
E Y Strawn1, M J Novy, K A Burry
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098, USA.
Objective:
Our purpose was to determine whether insulin-like growth factors I and II preferentially stimulate uterine leiomyoma cells versus myometrial cells in monolayer culture.
Study Design:
Leiomyomas and normal myometrium were obtained at hysterectomy from five premenopausal women. Specimens were enzymatically digested for use in primary monolayer cell cultures. By use of serum-free media, insulin-like growth factor I or II was added in 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml concentrations to both cell types with the patient serving as her own control. Cell number, prolactin production, and proliferative index values were measured on day 15 of cell culture.
Results:
Significant increases in cell number were found in the leiomyoma cultures (p < 0.05) treated with 10 and 100 ng/ml insulin-like growth factors I but not with insulin-like growth factors II. Neither factor exerted a stimulatory effect on myometrial cells.
Conclusion:
Insulin-like growth factors I preferentially stimulates leiomyoma cells in monolayer culture. These results suggest an autocrine-paracrine role in vivo for this factor in conjunction with gonadal steroids in promoting leiomyoma growth.