Acute leukemias express a functional receptor for the human growth hormone.
The potential influence of the human growth hormone (hGH) on the behavior of acute leukemias is a matter of controversy. We investigated primary childhood and adult leukemias (n = 44) and leukemic cell lines (n = 13) for the expression of the hGH receptor (hGHR) by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. All leukemias expressed the hGHR in the cytoplasm; expression on the surface was undetectable in some of the leukemias. In leukemic cell lines, hGHR expression on the surface was demonstrated in a dose-dependent manner after incubation with rhGH. Physiologic concentrations of hGH were more efficient than higher doses in increasing hGHR surface expression. A proliferative response to hGH was accomplished in cell lines REH, Molt4, and K562. However, only one of 19 primary leukemias (ALL, n = 12; AML, n = 7) showed increased cell counts after the addition of 50-800 ng/ml recombinant hGH (rhGH). These cells were of an immature T-cell phenotype. We thus conclude that acute leukemias can be stimulated by hGH to up-regulate its receptor, but that most primary leukemias may require additional signals for the induction of proliferation.
Giesbert
S
S
Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Children's Hospital, Vienna, Austria.
Panzer
S
S
Kovar
H
H
Fischer
S
S
Printz
D
D
Gadner
H
H
Panzer-Grümayer
E R
ER
D000328:Adult; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007938:Leukemia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000737:chemistry
D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone