IGF receptor function and regulation in autocrine human neuroblastoma cell growth

Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) and its receptors (type I and II IGF receptors) are expressed in the nervous system in a tissue and developmentally specific manner. We have previously shown that SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells synthesize and secrete high levels of IGF-II, and respond to it with increased neuritic outgrowth, DNA synthesis, and cell proliferation. SH-SY5Y cells also produce type I IGF and IGF-II/M6P receptors; however, it is not known whether these receptors mediate the observed growth promoting effects of IGF-II. In this study, we assayed the role of type I IGF receptor and IGF-II/M6P receptor expression in mediating autocrine IGF-II induced growth. Using anti-receptor antibodies, we found that IGF-II stimulates cell proliferation via the type I IGF receptor but not via the IGF-II/M6P receptor. By Northern analysis, we detected increased mRNA expression of both receptors, with more dramatic changes in type I IGF receptor expression. Collectively, our results indicate a role for the type I IGF receptor in mediating IGF-II induced autocrine neuroblastoma cell growth.