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Biomedical subjects

M E Geffner

Publications and source records attributed to M E Geffner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Characterization of heterogeneous mutations causing constitutive activation of the luteinizing hormone receptor in familial male precocious puberty.

Familial male precocious puberty (FMPP) is a gonadotropin-independent disorder that is inherited in an autosomal dominant, male-limited pattern. A heterozygous mutation encoding substitution of Asp578 with Gly in transmembrane helix 6 of the G protein-coupled receptor for luteinizing hormone (LHR) has been found in affected males from nine American FMPP families. Cells expressing the mutant LHR exhibit markedly increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production in the absence of agonist, suggesting that autonomous Leydig cell activity in FMPP is caused by a constitutively activated LHR. We have now analyzed genomic DNA from affected males from six additional FMPP families. PCR was used to amplify a fragment of the LHR gene encoding amino acid residues 441-594. None of the six new samples contained the Asp578-->Gly mutation, as indicated by absence of digestion with MspI. PCR products were then screened for heterozygous mutations using temperature-gradient gel electrophoresis. DNA fragments from two of the patients migrated abnormally. Direct sequencing of PCR product from one affected German male revealed a heterozygous mutation (ATG-->ATA) encoding Met571-->Ile at the cytoplasmic end of helix 6, the same mutation that has been reported in another European FMPP kindred. Affected males in the second family had a novel Thr577-->Ile mutation (ACC-->ATC). Mutations in different portions of the LHR or in a different gene may be responsible for disease in the other FMPP kindreds. Agonist binding and functional coupling of the mutant receptors to the cAMP and inositol phosphate pathways were studied by transiently expressing them in COS-7 cells. Agonist affinity was unaffected by the mutations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Growth-promoting actions of parathyroid hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone: in vitro studies in normal and pygmy T-lymphoblast cell lines.

We used an in vitro T-lymphoblast clonal proliferation assay to quantify human IGF-I (hIGF-I)-, human PTH (hPTH)-, human ACTH (hACTH)-, and human TSH (hTSH)-stimulated growth of human T-cell leukemia virus-II-transformed T-lymphoblast cell lines from normal individuals and to elucidate the role of IGF-I as the mediator of hPTH-, hACTH-, and hTSH-induced T-cell growth. Normal T-lymphoblast cell lines respond to hIGF-I in a bimodal fashion. The mean first peak response was 143 +/- 9.8% above baseline (defined as 100%) occurring at 8 micrograms/L, and the mean second peak response was 154 +/- 14.4% occurring at 100 micrograms/L. Both responses were completely blocked after incubation with alpha IR-3, an MAb to the IGF-I receptor (by analysis of variance, p = 0.015 between full response curves). After stimulation with hPTH, the mean peak clonal response of normal T-lymphoblast cell lines was 189 +/- 7.0%; after incubation with alpha IR-3, the mean peak clonal response was 108 +/- 7.9% (p = 0.0015 between full response curves). The mean peak clonal response of normal T-lymphoblast cell lines after hACTH stimulation was 192 +/- 8.6%; preincubation with alpha IR-3 reduced the mean peak clonal response to 94 +/- 1.2% (p < 0.0001 between full response curves). With hTSH stimulation, the mean peak clonal response of normal T-lymphoblast cell lines was 167 +/- 7.0%; after incubation with alpha IR-3, the mean peak clonal response was 94 +/- 8.2% (p = 0.003 between full response curves).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Insulin-like growth factor I resistance in immortalized T cell lines from African Efe Pygmies.

Previous investigations suggested that resistance to GH was the cause of short stature of African Pygmies. Because many of the actions of GH are mediated by insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), we sought to determine whether Pygmy tissue was responsive to IGF-I. An initial effort to obtain HTLV-II-transformed T lymphoblast cell lines resulted in a single cell line that showed complete resistance to both IGF-I and GH in a clonal proliferation assay as well as decreased IGF-I binding. In the current study, we examined T cell lines from seven Efe Pygmy subjects, three neighboring Lese farmers, and six American controls and quantified clonal responses to IGF-I, GH, and insulin. The T cell lines from the Efe Pygmies were all completely resistant to the growth-promoting actions of IGF-I concentrations less than 250 micrograms/L and GH concentrations less than 500 micrograms/L. The Lese population, with whom there is admixture with the Efe population, showed heights and clonal responses to IGF-I and GH intermediate between those of Pygmies and American controls. The Pygmy T cell lines showed reduced clonal proliferation in response to high insulin concentrations known to act through the IGF-I receptor. These findings indicate that genetic IGF-I resistance is present in the T cell lines of Efe Pygmies and suggest that unresponsiveness to IGF-I may be responsible for their short stature.

Adult

Continuous insulin infusions in neonates: pharmacologic availability of insulin in intravenous solutions.

Continuous insulin infusion is sometimes used in very low birth weight infants with glucose intolerance. We studied the availability of insulin to the neonate by means of a laboratory-simulated clinical infusion under both flushed and non-flushed conditions. Although loss of insulin was noted with both solutions (0.5 U/ml), under the nonflushed condition only 55.9% of the prescribed dose for the first 2 hours was delivered before the delivery rate of the flushed system, 71.4%, was approached. These findings have implications for neonatal insulin administration.

Adsorption

Divergent dimerization properties of mutant beta 1 thyroid hormone receptors are associated with different dominant negative activities.

Syndromes of resistance to thyroid hormones are caused by mutations in the T3-binding domain of the c-erbA beta thyroid hormone receptor gene. The S receptor (deletion of THR332) is a potent dominant negative protein cloned from a kindred with generalized resistance to thyroid hormones. The G-H receptor (ARG311HIS) has compromised dominant negative function and was found in both normal individuals and in a patient with severe pituitary resistance to thyroid hormones. We have investigated the mechanism responsible for the difference in receptor phenotypes by analyzing the binding of S and G-H receptors to thyroid hormone response elements with electrophoretic mobility shift analysis. Wild-type human c-erbA beta 1 (WT), S, and G-H receptors were synthesized in reticulocyte lysate, reacted with a thyroid hormone response element consisting of a direct repeat with 4 base pairs (DR+4; AGGTCA CAGG AGGTCA), and the products analyzed by gel shift. G-H receptor homodimerization was greatly impaired; G-H formed predominantly monomeric complex compared with monomeric and homodimeric WT complexes. The G-H receptor was able to form heterodimeric complexes with cellular thyroid hormone receptor auxiliary protein (TRAP) factors including the human retinoid X receptor-alpha. When TRAP was limiting, the levels of G-H heterodimeric complex were 2- to 3-fold reduced compared with WT receptor. In contrast to the WT and G-H receptors, the S receptor formed almost exclusively homodimeric complex with DR+4; the approximate ratio of S:WT:G-H homodimeric complexes at equivalent concentrations of receptors was 60:20:1. A measurable increase (1.2- to 2.6-fold) in heterodimeric complex formation was observed with the S receptor relative to WT when TRAP was at limiting concentration. As reported previously by others, thyroid hormone significantly reduced the WT homodimeric complex with DR+4. There was no effect on the S homodimeric complex. Finally, the WT, S, and G-H receptors formed different complexes with the element consisting of an inverted repeat with 5 base pairs (IR+5; AGGTCA ACAGT TGACCT) and the IR element (AGGTCA TGACCT), which were differently regulated by thyroid hormone. The S receptor bound as a homodimer with IR+5, whereas the WT receptor bound as a homodimer only with thyroid hormone. No homodimeric complex formed with IR+5 and the G-H receptor. Qualitatively similar results were observed with the IR element. We conclude that the ARG311HIS mutation severely perturbs the homodimerization and, to a much less degree, heterodimerization functions of the c-erbA beta 1 receptor. Furthermore, the THR332 deletion mutation augments homodimerization of the c-erbA beta 1 receptor. These results indicate that different mutations in the c-erbA beta 1 thyroid hormone receptor have divergently affected dimerization activities which seem to influence the level of dominant negative activity in man.

Amino Acid Sequence

Growth hormone induces resistance to the mitogenic action of insulin through local IGF-I. Studies in normal and Pygmy T-cell lines.

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin have both mitogenic and metabolic actions. The growth-promoting effects of GH in vivo are thought to be mediated by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), whereas the metabolic effects of GH are thought to be either direct or mediated by factors other than IGF-I. In previous studies using HTLV-II-transformed T-lymphoblast cell lines established from normal individuals, we have shown that GH preincubation induces resistance to the growth-promoting (mitogenic) action of insulin. In this study, using T-cell lines from 3 American control subjects, 1 African control subject, and 1 African Pygmy (the latter previously shown to be resistant to the growth-promoting actions of both IGF-I and GH), we examined the role of local IGF-I in the mediation of GH-induced resistance to the mitogenic action of insulin. In these studies, we quantified the stimulation of T-cell colony formation in response to insulin in the presence and absence of either GH or IGF-I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Insulin-like growth factor-I unresponsiveness in an Efe Pygmy.

The cause of short stature in African Pygmies is unknown, but some evidence suggests that they are GH resistant. Since IGF-I mediates many actions of GH, we sought to determine if Pygmy tissue is responsive to IGF-I. We established HTLV-II-transformed cell lines from 1 Efe Pygmy, 1 African control, and 3 American controls, and quantified in vitro colony formation in response to IGF-I, GH, and insulin, and assessed IGF-I receptor binding. The Pygmy T-cell line showed no clonal responsiveness following stimulation with physiologic concentrations of IGF-I or any concentration of GH, but responded normally to insulin. IGF-I binding studies showed no binding to the Pygmy T-cell line with normal binding to control cells. The primary abnormality in this Pygmy T-cell line is IGF-I resistance at the receptor level with secondary GH resistance.

Adult

The influence of luteinizing hormone and insulin on sex steroids and sex hormone-binding globulin in the polycystic ovarian syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between hyperinsulinemia, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and body mass index (BMI) on LH-induced hyperandrogenemia in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Insulin responses during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were assessed in 25 consecutive women with PCOS and 20 control women matched for BMI. Insulin responses and sensitivity (SI) were also determined using a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). SETTING: The clinical research center at a university medical center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum LH, SI, and basal, peak, and area under the curve (AUC-insulin responses) were determined and correlated with SHBG, androstenedione (A), T, and free T concentrations. RESULTS: Compared with controls, the AUC-insulin response during OGTT was greater in PCOS, with an average increase of 44%. During IVGTT, AUC-insulin response was also significantly higher in PCOS versus controls, with an average increase of 53%. In addition, SI was reduced in PCOS versus controls with an average decrease of 53%. The average differences in oral- and intravenous-glucose-induced hyperinsulinemia and in insulin sensitivity between PCOS and controls were relatively constant across the entire physiological range of BMI. In PCOS, baseline LH showed strong positive correlations with baseline A and T. However, there were no significant correlations between either basal, peak, or AUC-insulin response during OGTT and IVGTT with basal T or A concentrations or between insulin and androgen levels measured at 30-minute intervals throughout the OGTT. However, basal, peak, and AUC-insulin responses during OGTT were strongly correlated with fasting SHBG binding capacity. CONCLUSIONS: These data are consistent with the hypothesis that hyperinsulinemia in PCOS influences the biologically active component of T by lowering SHBG concentrations while having little apparent impact on LH-induced secretion of androgens in vivo.

Administration, Oral

An arginine to histidine mutation in codon 311 of the C-erbA beta gene results in a mutant thyroid hormone receptor that does not mediate a dominant negative phenotype.

We have examined the c-erbA beta thyroid hormone receptor gene in a kindred, G.H., with a member, patient G.H., who had a severe form of selective pituitary resistance to thyroid hormones (PRTH). This patient manifested inappropriately normal thyrotropin-stimulating hormone, markedly elevated serum free thyroxine (T4) and total triiodothyronine (T3), and clinical hyperthyroidism. The complete c-erbA beta 1 coding sequence was examined by a combination of genomic and cDNA cloning for patient G.H. and her unaffected father. A single mutation, a guanine to adenine transition at nucleotide 1,232, was found in one allele of both these members, altering codon 311 from arginine to histidine. In addition, a half-sister of patient G.H. also harbored this mutant allele and, like the father, was clinically normal. The G.H. receptor, synthesized with reticulocyte lysate, had significantly defective T3-binding activity with a Ka of approximately 5 x 10(8) M-1. RNA phenotyping using leukocytes and fibroblasts demonstrated an equal level of expression of wild-type and mutant alleles in patient G.H. and her unaffected father. Finally, the G.H. receptor had no detectable dominant negative activity in a transfection assay. Thus, in contrast to the many other beta-receptor mutants responsible for the generalized form of thyroid hormone resistance, the G.H. receptor appeared unable to antagonize normal receptor function. These results suggest that the arginine at codon 311 in c-erbA beta is crucial for the structural integrity required for dominant negative function. The ARG-311-HIS mutation may contribute to PRTH in patient G.H. by inactivating a beta-receptor allele, but it cannot be the sole cause of the disease.

Adolescent

In vitro insulin-like growth factor-I, growth hormone, and insulin resistance occurs in symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected children.

Poor growth is a common feature of symptomatic children (Centers for Disease Control stage P2) infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). However, several previous studies have failed to show any relationship between serum hormone levels and poor growth. To assess the roles of hormone deficiency and hormone resistance in the development of poor growth in HIV-1-infected children, we studied six asymptomatic Centers for Disease Control stage P1 [height SD score = 0.01 +/- 1.0 (mean +/- SD)], 10 P2 (height SD score = -2.0 +/- 1.0), and six short, normal children (height SD score = -2.4 +/- 1.2). Mean weight:height SD scores were similar in all three groups, suggesting that gross nutritional status did not differ between groups. There were no significant differences between groups with respect to mean plasma levels of IGF-I, thyroid hormones, TSH, and cortisol. As an index of hormone sensitivity, we quantified in vitro colony formation of erythroid progenitor cells, isolated from peripheral blood of study subjects, in response to IGF-I, growth hormone (GH), and insulin. P2 subjects had a quantitative mean reduction in erythroid progenitor cells colony formation in response to IGF-I of 32% compared with P1 subjects (p = 0.001 by analysis of variance) and 21% compared with controls (p = 0.006); in response to GH of 21% compared with controls (p = 0.015); and in response to insulin of 35% compared with P1 subjects (p = 0.038) and 34% compared with controls (p = 0.004).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Child

Growth hormone induces insulin resistance in Laron dwarf cells via lactogenic receptors.

GH is the hormone primarily responsible for regulating body size within the genetic program. While GH has pleiotropic actions on cellular growth and metabolism, most of its effects are believed to be mediated by a single GH receptor. This receptor is not functional in tissues from patients with Laron dwarfism. We used human T-cell leukemia virus-immortalized T-lymphoblast cell lines from Laron dwarfs and normal individuals to examine the mechanism of GH-induced insulin resistance at the cellular level. GH (5-500 micrograms/L) caused a profound decrease in the sensitivity of normal T-lymphoblasts in response to all insulin concentrations (P < 0.0001 vs. insulin alone); pretreatment with GH and GH receptor antibody significantly improved sensitivity to all concentrations of insulin (P = NS vs. insulin alone). Preincubation with GH and PRL receptor antibody was associated with partial improvement in insulin sensitivity (P = 0.004 vs. insulin alone). Thus, in normal T-cell lines, the major pathway of GH-induced insulin resistance appears to be directed by the GH receptor, with a smaller effect mediated through the PRL receptor. While T-cell lines from Laron dwarfs do not respond to GH in clonal proliferation assays, GH (50 and 100 micrograms/L) caused profound insulin resistance in these cells (P = 0.008 and P < 0.0001, respectively, vs. insulin alone). GH receptor antibody did not abrogate this effect at any insulin concentration (P = NS vs. insulin alone), but there was partial restoration of insulin sensitivity when GH and PRL receptor antibody were coincubated (P = 0.0069 vs. insulin alone). Thus, in Laron T-cell lines, PRL and perhaps other lactogenic receptors appear to mediate GH-induced insulin resistance. The kinetics of GH-induced insulin resistance in Laron T-cells were also distinct from the pattern seen in normal T-cells, and unlike in normal cells, GH had no effect on insulin-like growth factor-I-induced clonal expansion of Laron T-cell lines (P = NS vs. insulin-like growth factor-I alone). These results provide evidence for an alternative pathway of GH action revealed in cells lacking classical growth responses to GH.

Adolescent

Dominant and nondominant negative C-erbA beta 1 receptors associated with thyroid hormone resistance syndromes augment 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate induction of the collagenase promoter and exhibit defective 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine-mediated repression.

C-erbA receptors and v-erbA have been shown to functionally interact with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-inducible gene expression. These proteins enhance trans-activation by c-jun, and the c-erbA receptors in the presence of thyroid hormone repress TPA and c-jun induction of transcription. Also, v-erbA can abrogate T3-mediated repression. We have examined how dominant negative (S and CL) and nondominant negative (G-H) receptors cloned from various patients with thyroid hormone resistance syndromes affect expression of the collagenase promoter induced with TPA. The CL receptor (ARG315HIS mutation) has a 2-fold reduction in T3-binding affinity compared with human c-erbA beta 1 wild-type (WT) receptor, whereas the G-H receptor (ARG311HIS) and S receptor (deletion, THR codon 332) have T3-binding affinities reduced by 100-fold and greater than 100-fold, respectively. These mutant receptors were cotransfected with a collagenase promoter (-1200 to +63 base pairs) chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene (Col-CAT) into COS-7 cells. Levels of CAT reporter gene expression after transient transfection were determined in the presence or absence of 3-10 nM T3 and the presence or absence of 100 nM TPA. Unoccupied CL receptor and G-H and S receptors stimulated TPA-induced Col-CAT expression 1.5- to 9-fold. The CL receptor with thyroid hormone totally repressed TPA induction of the collagenase receptor. In the presence of thyroid hormone, the enhancing effects by S and G-H receptors on TPA-induced Col-CAT expression were unaffected and minimally diminished, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence

Insulin and IGF-I stimulate normal and virally transformed T-lymphocyte cell growth in vitro.

We used normal and HTLV-II-transformed T-lymphocytes as target cells to study clonal proliferative responses to physiologic and supraphysiologic concentrations of insulin and IGF-I. Responses of both growth factors were measured in the presence and absence of alpha IR-3, and IGF-I receptor-blocking antibody. A biphasic response to insulin was noted in all cell lines with the first peak [78 +/- 6.6% (mean +/- SE) above control] occurring at 1.4 or 1.6 nmol/liter and a second peak (84 +/- 4.9% above control) occurring at 18.0 nmol/liter. Following preincubation with alpha IR-3, the overall clonal profile in response to insulin was significantly reduced [F(7,56) = (10.4, p < .0001] as a result of blunting at high physiologic and supraphysiologic insulin concentrations, i.e., > or = 1.6 nmol/liter. As expected, the overall clonal profile in response to IGF-I was blocked by alpha IR-3 [F(4,32) = 11.6, p < .0001]. These data show that insulin at both physiologic and supraphysiologic concentrations, as well as IGF-I, stimulate virally transformed T-lymphoblast growth. The significant inhibition of growth responses to high concentrations of insulin and to IGF-I by alpha IR-3 suggests mediation of these effects through the IGF-I receptor. Similar studies were performed using freshly isolated, phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated T-lymphocytes. The overall response to insulin was significantly reduced compared to the profile of transformed T-lymphoblasts [F(7,70) = 4.9, p = .0002] as a result of blunting at physiologic insulin concentrations < 1.8 nmol/liter. In response to IGF-I, the clonal profile of PHA-stimulated T-lymphocytes was slightly reduced compared to that of virally transformed T-lymphoblasts [F(4,40) = 3.4, p = .0174]. Thus, both insulin and IGF-I receptor-effector mechanisms are involved in the growth of virally transformed T-lymphoblasts, whereas the IGF-I receptor-effector mechanism appears to play a more significant role in the growth of normal, mitogen-activated T-lymphocytes.

Cell Division

Bromocriptine and Triac therapy for hyperthyroidism due to pituitary resistance to thyroid hormone.

Although a number of patients with generalized resistance to thyroid hormone have been treated with bromocriptine (Brc), only one previously reported patient with nontumoral TSH-mediated hyperthyroidism, presumably due to pituitary resistance to thyroid hormone (PRTH), has been successfully treated with bromocriptine (Brc). In addition, several studies suggested that the T3 analog 3,5,3'-triiodothyroacetic acid (Triac) may control hyperthyroidism in patients with PRTH. In the current study a patient with PRTH diagnosed at age 15 yr underwent separate therapeutic trials with Brc and Triac, during which time physical parameters, thyroid function tests, systolic time intervals (STI), and oxygen consumption (VO2) were measured. On Brc therapy (12.5 mg/day), heart rate decreased (108 to 72/min), TSH decreased (5.7 to 1.2 mU/L), T3 decreased (9.9 to 1.7 nmol/L), free T4 decreased (205 to 21 pmol/L), STI lengthened (left ventricular ejection time, 0.389 to 0.405 s), and VO2 did not change (164 to 162 mL/min). We found no significant clinical improvement with a maximal dose of Triac (2.1 mg/day), only minimal reduction in goiter size; mild decreases in T3 (9.9 to 6.7 nmol/L), free T4 (205 to 113 pmol/L), and TSH (5.7 to 5.4 mU/L); no change in STI (left ventricular ejection time, 0.389 to 0.401 sec); and an increase in O2 consumption (VO2, 164 to 209 mL/min). Thus, the results favor Brc as effective therapy for this patient with PRTH.

Adolescent