Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 75, 646-650, Copyright © 1992 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Localization of the growth hormone receptor, identified by immunocytochemistry, in second trimester human fetal tissues and in placenta throughout gestation

DJ Hill, SC Riley, NS Bassett and MJ Waters
Lawson Research Institute, St. Joseph's Health Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.

Pituitary GH secretion appears largely unnecessary for the attainment of normal birth size in many species, including man. This is believed to be due to an immaturity and/or an absence of GH receptors in many fetal tissues. However, in vitro studies using late first trimester human fetal tissues have demonstrated mitogenic actions of GH on liver and stimulation of insulin biosynthesis in pancreas. To resolve this discrepancy, we have employed immunocytochemistry to identify the presence and distribution of GH receptors in various human fetal tissues. Fetuses of 14-16 weeks gestation were obtained after therapeutic abortion, tissues were fixed, and immunocytochemistry was performed using monoclonal antibodies against purified rat or rabbit GH receptor. The specificity of staining was confirmed by preabsorption of the antibodies with 1) adult rat liver membranes or 2) human fetal liver membranes, both of which possess specific GH-binding sites, or 3) human fetal skeletal muscle membranes, which do not specifically bind GH. Positive staining was seen in a subpopulation of liver parenchymal cells, in the ductal and endocrine tissue of pancreas, in the germinal layer of the epidermis and the deeper dermal layers of skin, and in the tubular epithelium of kidney. No immunopositive staining was seen in skeletal or cardiac muscle, epiphyseal growth plate, lung, intestine, or adrenal. Positive staining was present in the neuronal cell bodies of the cerebral cortex. GH receptor was also detectable as early as 8 weeks gestation in syncytial layers of the placenta and was maintained until term. Results demonstrate the presence of immunoreactive GH receptor/binding protein in some human fetal tissues early in development. In particular, these results would support a role for GH in the growth and function of liver and pancreas.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Kenth, J. A M. Mergelas, and C. G. Goodyer Developmental changes in the human GH receptor and its signal transduction pathways J. Endocrinol., July 1, 2008; 198(1): 71 - 82. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M.-C. Lacroix, J. Guibourdenche, T. Fournier, I. Laurendeau, A. Igout, V. Goffin, J. Pantel, V. Tsatsaris, and D. Evain-Brion Stimulation of Human Trophoblast Invasion by Placental Growth Hormone Endocrinology, May 1, 2005; 146(5): 2434 - 2444. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Fleenor, J. Oden, P. A. Kelly, S. Mohan, S. Alliouachene, M. Pende, S. Wentz, J. Kerr, and M. Freemark Roles of the Lactogens and Somatogens in Perinatal and Postnatal Metabolism and Growth: Studies of a Novel Mouse Model Combining Lactogen Resistance and Growth Hormone Deficiency Endocrinology, January 1, 2005; 146(1): 103 - 112. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Colao, D. Ferone, P. Marzullo, and G. Lombardi Systemic Complications of Acromegaly: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Management Endocr. Rev., February 1, 2004; 25(1): 102 - 152. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. R. Edmondson, S. P. Thumiger, G. A. Werther, and C. J. Wraight Epidermal Homeostasis: The Role of the Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Systems Endocr. Rev., December 1, 2003; 24(6): 737 - 764. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. P. P. Geary, P. J. Pringle, C. H. Rodeck, J. C. P. Kingdom, and P. C. Hindmarsh Sexual Dimorphism in the Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Axis at Birth J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 2003; 88(8): 3708 - 3714. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. J. Kopchick, C. Parkinson, E. C. Stevens, and P. J. Trainer Growth Hormone Receptor Antagonists: Discovery, Development, and Use in Patients with Acromegaly Endocr. Rev., October 1, 2002; 23(5): 623 - 646. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. G. Goodyer, R. M. O. Figueiredo, S. Krackovitch, L. De Souza Li, J. A. Manalo, and G. Zogopoulos Characterization of the growth hormone receptor in human dermal fibroblasts and liver during development Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, December 1, 2001; 281(6): E1213 - E1220. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. Forhead, J. Li, J. C. Saunders, M. J. Dauncey, R. S. Gilmour, and A. L. Fowden Control of ovine hepatic growth hormone receptor and insulin-like growth factor I by thyroid hormones in utero Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, June 1, 2000; 278(6): E1166 - E1174. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M.-C. Lacroix, E. Devinoy, S. Cassy, J.-L. Servely, M. Vidaud, and G. Kann Expression of Growth Hormone and Its Receptor in the Placental and Feto-Maternal Environment during Early Pregnancy in Sheep Endocrinology, December 1, 1999; 140(12): 5587 - 5597. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				E. van Garderen, H. J. A. van der Poel, J. F. Swennenhuis, E. H. J. Wissink, G. R. Rutteman, E. Hellmén, J. A. Mol, and J. A. Schalken Expression and Molecular Characterization of the Growth Hormone Receptor in Canine Mammary Tissue and Mammary Tumors Endocrinology, December 1, 1999; 140(12): 5907 - 5914. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. LI, R. S. GILMOUR, J. C. SAUNDERS, M. J. DAUNCEY, and A. L. FOWDEN Activation of the adult mode of ovine growth hormone receptor gene expression by cortisol during late fetal development FASEB J, March 1, 1999; 13(3): 545 - 552. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				F. d. Zegher, I. Francois, m. van helvoirt, and g. van den berghe Small as Fetus and Short as Child: From Endogenous to Exogenous Growth Hormone J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 1997; 82(7): 2021 - 2026. [Full Text] [PDF]