Liver-derived IGF-I regulates GH secretion at the pituitary level in mice

K Wallenius, K Sjögren, XD Peng, S Park… - …, 2001 - academic.oup.com
K Wallenius, K Sjögren, XD Peng, S Park, V Wallenius, JL Liu, M Umaerus, H Wennbo…
Endocrinology, 2001academic.oup.com
We have reported that liver-specific deletion of IGF-I in mice (LI-IGF-I−/−) results in
decreased circulating IGF-I and increased GH levels. In the present study, we determined
how elimination of hepatic IGF-I modifies the hypothalamic-pituitary GH axis to enhance GH
secretion. The pituitary mRNA levels of GH releasing factor (GHRF) receptor and GH
secretagogue (GHS) receptor were increased in LI-IGF-I−/− mice, and in line with this, their
GH response to ip injections of GHRF and GHS was increased. Expression of mRNA for …
Abstract
We have reported that liver-specific deletion of IGF-I in mice (LI-IGF-I−/−) results in decreased circulating IGF-I and increased GH levels. In the present study, we determined how elimination of hepatic IGF-I modifies the hypothalamic-pituitary GH axis to enhance GH secretion. The pituitary mRNA levels of GH releasing factor (GHRF) receptor and GH secretagogue (GHS) receptor were increased in LI-IGF-I−/− mice, and in line with this, their GH response to ip injections of GHRF and GHS was increased. Expression of mRNA for pituitary somatostatin receptors, hypothalamic GHRF, somatostatin, and neuropeptide Y was not altered in LI-IGF-I−/− mice, whereas hypothalamic IGF-I expression was increased. Changes in hepatic expression of major urinary protein and the PRL receptor in male LI-IGF-I−/− mice indicated an altered GH release pattern most consistent with enhanced GH trough levels. Liver weight was enhanced in LI-IGF-I−/− mice of both genders. In conclusion, loss of liver-derived IGF-I enhances GH release by increasing expression of pituitary GHRF and GHS receptors. The enhanced GH release in turn affects several liver parameters, in line with the existence of a pituitary-liver axis.
Oxford University Press