The role of the insulin-like growth factor system in the developing brain

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) play a central role in brain growth and development, with IGF-1, its receptors and binding proteins (IGFBPs) being highly expressed, particularly in the olfactory bulb (OB), representing a local paracrine system. A potential role of IGFBPs in transporting and targeting IGFs to their receptors is supported by the finding that abundant IGFBP-2 is associated with cell surface proteoglycans. An OB organ culture system expressing IGF-1 and IGFBPs represents an in vitro injury model. Although IGF-1 is potently antiapoptotic for neurons and oligodendrocytes, marked gliosis and IGFBP-3 expression are seen, similar to in vivo injury responses, where intraventricular injection of IGF-1 postinjury enhances neuronal survival by blocking apoptosis. In contrast, des (1-3) IGF-1, which has low affinity for IGFBPs, is ineffective, supporting a transport or receptor targeting role for local IGFBPs. We conclude that the IGF system plays a crucial cell survival and growth role in the developing and injured brain and that IGFs have significant therapeutic potential.