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Both articular cartilage and the central nervous system are target organs for insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). We have previously described the hormonal regulation of IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) in the conditioned media (CM) of rat articular chondrocytes and in a rat neuroblastoma cell line (B104). In the studies presented here, we have investigated the role of IGFBP-5 proteases in these complex systems. Proteolysis of [125I] IGFBP-5 was maximal after 2-3 h incubation with CM of either cell type and did not further increase, even with an incubation of 12 h. Assessment of the effect of pH on protease activity showed that proteolysis was active between pH 6 and pH 9, but not at more acidic pH. Among the various protease inhibitors, serine protease inhibitors [benzamidine (100 mM), aprotinin (1 mg/ml), PMSF (10 mM)] and metalloprotease inhibitors [EDTA (1 mM), 1,10-phenanthroline (10 mM)] were the most effective in inhibiting the proteolysis of IGFBP-5, whereas aspartic and cysteine protease inhibitors were ineffective. These results indicate that the IGFBP-5 protease in the conditioned medium of rat articular chondrocytes and B104 cells belongs to a family of serine-metallo proteases. Interestingly, divalent cations, such as Zn+2 (1 mM) and Ca+2 (10 mM) also inhibited the IGFBP-5 proteolysis. This effect was not observed with monovalent ions, such as Na+ and K+. We also examined the effect of IGFs on IGFBP-5 protease activity, and found that IGF-I and -II inhibited the proteolysis in cell-free conditioned medium, while des(1-3) IGF-I was less effective. The IGFs may act to protect [125I] IGFBP-5 from the proteases in the CM, although the precise mechanism remains unknown. Thus, IGFBP-5 protease activity produced by both rat articular cartilage and B104 cells is a serine-metallo protease, that is inhibited by divalent cations and in the presence of IGF.

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are key effectors of fetal growth and development which are modulated by serum carrier proteins (IGF binding proteins [IGFBPs]). Studies were performed to evaluate the developmental profile of IGFs and IGFBPs in the macaque, an important nonhuman primate model for human development and disease. IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 were studied in the rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and long-tailed (Macaca fascicularis) monkey fetus and dam during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Serial fetal blood samples were collected by cardiocentesis every 10 days from gestational day (GD) 90-160, and at 1 month postnatal age; maternal blood samples were collected at similar timepoints. Results indicated that maternal sera IGF-I and IGF-II did not change significantly whereas fetal concentrations of serum IGF-I and IGF-II increased approximately two-fold during the second to the third trimesters. No significant differences were detected between the two species. Western-ligand blot analysis revealed predominant IGFBPs of 45-40 (IGFBP-3) and 28 kDa (IGFBP-1) in both the maternal and fetal compartments, and Western-immunoblot analysis using a specific antisera against IGFBP-3 indicated 45-40 and 28 kDa immunoreactive forms. Thus, although IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 remained relatively unaffected in maternal sera during this period of gestation, fetal concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 increased in a developmental profile similar to the human fetus.

IGFs and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) appear to serve as regulators of non-malignant thyroid cells from several species, but little is known about their role in thyroid malignancy. We have examined IGFBP production and hormonal regulation in two human thyroid follicular carcinoma cell lines; FTC-133 line derived from a local tumor recurrence and FTC-236 cells from a tumor metastasis. Under basal conditions these cell lines produced IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-2. In both cell lines, EGF or TPA stimulated IGFBP-3 production while TSH or forskolin inhibited IGFBP-3 production and reduced the stimulation of IGFBP-3 seen with EGF or TPA. IGFBP-4 production was increased in the presence of TSH, forskolin, and EGF and was reduced by TPA. mRNA assessment revealed that IGFBP-3 mRNA, more abundant in FTC-236 than FTC-133 cells, increased in the presence of EGF or TPA, while IGFBP-4 mRNA content was increased in the presence of TSH, EGF, and forskolin. These results indicate that IGFBP production in human thyroid follicular carcinoma clones is under specific hormonal regulation. IGFBP-3 production is increased by dedifferentiation factors such as EGF and TPA and inhibited by TSH and forskolin, which enhance differentiated function. The highly specific regulation of IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 suggests a potential role for these peptides in modulating malignant thyroid growth.