Growth hormone (GH) and the immune system: impaired phagocytic function in children with idiopathic GH deficiency is corrected by treatment with biosynthetic GH.
Thirty-seven prepubertal children evaluated for severe growth retardation were studied by assessment of total granulocyte, monocyte and lymphocyte count, lymphocyte subsets CD3+, CD3+Dr+, CD3+Dr-, CD4+, CD8+, CD8+CD57+, CD8+CD57-, CD16+, CD20+ and CD23+, serum immunoglobulin concentrations, and phagocytic activity of circulating neutrophils and monocytes (by a flow cytometric assay). Idiopathic GH deficiency was diagnosed in 21 of 37 patients; the remaining 16 healthy subjects served as controls. Fourteen patients received biosynthetic GH (rhGH), and their immune parameters were assessed at baseline and after 6 months of therapy. Phagocytic function mediated by both polymorphonuclears and monocytes was significantly impaired in GH-deficient subjects compared to controls (p < 0.003 for neutrophils, p < 0.007 for monocytes), while a significant increase of phagocytic activity was obtained during long-term rhGH replacement therapy (p < 0.02 for neutrophils, p < 0.001 for monocytes), thus suggesting that GH may affect the functional activity of circulating phagocyte cells. No significant differences were found in total granulocyte, monocyte and lymphocyte counts, T- and B-lymphocyte subsets and immunoglobulin levels, between GH-deficient patients and controls, and between values observed before and during rhGH substitution treatment.
Manfredi
R
R
Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Bologna, Italy.
Tumietto
F
F
Azzaroli
L
L
Zucchini
A
A
Chiodo
F
F
Manfredi
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000502:physiology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013006:Growth Hormone