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Immunoreactive growth hormone (GH) secretion by human lymphocytes: augmented release by exogenous GH
N Hattori1, A Shimatsu, M Sugita
1Department of Internal Medicine, Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine, Japan.
Insights
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and lymphocytes secrete human growth hormone (GH). Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation significantly increased GH secretion, suggesting a role for immune cells in GH production.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are key immune cells.
- Human growth hormone (GH) is primarily produced by the pituitary gland.
- The role of immune cells in GH production is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the secretion of human growth hormone (GH) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
- To determine the effect of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation on GH secretion from PBMCs.
- To characterize the GH secreted by lymphocytes.
Main Methods:
- PBMCs from normal adults were cultured and their GH secretion measured using a sensitive enzyme immunoassay.
- PBMCs were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B-lymphocytes were also analyzed.
- GH secreted by lymphocytes was characterized by gel filtration chromatography and compared to pituitary GH.
Main Results:
- Normal adult PBMCs secreted small amounts of GH (0.2-0.6 pg/10(5) cells/7 days).
- PHA stimulation resulted in a 4-6 fold increase in GH secretion.
- EBV-transformed B-lymphocytes also secreted GH (0.8-4.8 pg/5 x 10(4) cells/7 days).
- Lymphocyte-derived GH comigrated with pituitary GH.
- GH addition augmented endogenous GH secretion from PHA-stimulated PBMCs.
- GH-releasing hormone and a somatostatin analogue did not affect PBMC GH secretion.
Conclusions:
- Both T and B lymphocytes secrete immunoreactive GH.
- Lymphocyte GH secretion differs from that of the anterior pituitary.
- Immune cells may play a role in regulating GH levels.
Abstract:
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from normal adults secreted small amounts of human growth hormone (GH; 0.2-0.6 pg/10(5) cells/7 days culture) as measured by a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay. Stimulation of PBMCs with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) consistently showed a 4-6 fold increase in GH secretion. Transformed B-lymphocytes by Epstein-Barr virus also secreted GH (0.8-4.8 pg/5 x 10(4) cells/7 days culture). GH secreted by lymphocytes comigrated with pituitary GH on an Ultrogel AcA44 column. Addition of GH during the culture augmented endogenous GH secretion from PHA-stimulated PBMCs. GH-releasing hormone and a somatostatin analogue, SMS 201-995, did not affect GH secretion from non-stimulated and PHA-stimulated PBMCs. These findings suggest that both T and B lymphocytes secrete immunoreactive GH in a different manner from that in the anterior pituitary.
