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Published on: February 19, 2011
Recombinant human growth hormone stimulates B cell immunoglobulin synthesis and proliferation in serum-free medium
A Yoshida1, C Ishioka, H Kimata
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
Insights
Growth hormone (GH) directly stimulates human B cells, enhancing immunoglobulin synthesis and proliferation. This suggests GH functions as an immunoregulatory cytokine beyond its endocrine roles.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human B cells play a crucial role in adaptive immunity through immunoglobulin production.
- Growth hormone (GH) is primarily known for its endocrine functions in growth and metabolism.
- The immunomodulatory potential of GH on B cell function requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct effects of growth hormone (GH) on human B cell immunoglobulin synthesis and proliferation.
- To determine if GH acts as an immunoregulatory cytokine.
- To elucidate the specific effects of GH on different B cell subsets.
Main Methods:
- B cell lines (IM-9, GM-1056, CBL) and purified human tonsil B cells were cultured in a serum-free medium.
- Immunoglobulin synthesis (IgG, IgA, IgM) and [3H]-thymidine uptake were measured.
- Effects of GH were compared to other proteins and neutralized with anti-GH antibody.
Main Results:
- GH significantly enhanced IgG synthesis in IM-9 cells and [3H]-thymidine uptake in a dose-dependent manner.
- GH stimulated IgA synthesis in GM-1056 cells and IgM synthesis in CBL cells.
- GH also increased immunoglobulin synthesis and thymidine uptake in activated tonsil B cells, with specificity confirmed by antibody neutralization.
Conclusions:
- Growth hormone (GH) exerts a direct stimulatory effect on human B cells.
- GH enhances immunoglobulin production and proliferation in various B cell populations.
- These findings indicate that GH may function as an immunoregulatory cytokine, influencing immune responses.
Abstract:
In order to investigate the effects of growth hormone on human B cells, we studied immunoglobulin synthesis and [3H]-thymidine uptake by B cell lines, IM-9, GM-1056 and CBL, and purified tonsil B cells. Cells were cultured in a serum- and albumin-free medium, Cosmedium-001 to exclude interaction between a certain growth-promoting substance and any unknown substances that serum may contain. GH enhanced IgG synthesis and [3H]-thymidine uptake by IM-9 cells, IgA synthesis by GM-1056 cells and IgM synthesis by CBL cells in a dose-dependent fashion. This was not a non-specific effect of protein in GH, since equivalent or higher concentrations of proteins such as bovine serum albumin, interleukin-2, interleukin-5, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or erythropoietin did not stimulate B cell lines. Moreover, the rabbit anti-GH antibody blocked the enhancing effect of GH, while normal rabbit antibody failed to do so. GH also enhanced immunoglobulin synthesis (IgG and IgM) and thymidine uptake by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I-activated tonsil B cells. These results indicate that GH has a direct stimulating effect on B cells, and, in addition to its endocrinological function, GH may also act as an immunoregulatory cytokine.
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