Immortalized human chondrocytes were established by transfection of primary cultures of juvenile costal chondrocytes with vectors encoding simian virus 40 large T antigen and selection in suspension culture over agarose. Stable cell lines were generated that exhibited chondrocyte morphology, continuous proliferative capacity (> 80 passages) in monolayer culture in serum-containing medium, and expression of mRNAs encoding chondrocyte-specific collagens II, IX, and XI and proteoglycans in an insulin-containing serum substitute. They did not express type X collagen or versican mRNA. These cells synthesized and secreted extracellular matrix molecules that were reactive with monoclonal antibodies against type II collagen, large proteoglycan (PG-H, aggrecan), and chondroitin-4-and chondroitin-6-sulfate. Interleukin-1,8 (IL-1p) decreased the levels of type II collagen mRNA and increased the levels of mRNAs for collagenase, stromelysin, and immediate early genes (egr-1, c-fos, c-jun, and jun-B). These cell lines also expressed reporter gene constructs containing regulatory sequences (-577/+3,428 bp) of the type II collagen gene (COL2A1) in transient transfection experiments, and IL-1p8 suppressed this expression by 50-80%. These results show that immortalized human chondrocytes displaying cartilage-specific modulation by IL-1,3 can be used as a model for studying normal and pathological repair mechanisms. (J. Clin. Invest. 1994. 94:2307-2316

IGFBP-1 is elevated in fetuses with long-term, chronic hypoxia and intrauterine growth restriction. We investigated the hypothesis that hypoxia regulates IGFBP-1 in the human fetus in vivo and IGFBP-1 gene expression and protein in vitro. Umbilical artery IGFBP-1 levels (mean ؎ SEM) from term babies with respiratory acidosis (acute hypoxia), normal babies, and those with mixed respiratory/metabolic acidosis (more profound and prolonged hypoxia) were measured using an immunoradiometric assay. IGFBP-1 levels were similar in normal (n ‫؍‬ 12) and acutely hypoxic (n ‫؍‬ 6) babies (189.1 ؎ 71.8 vs. 175.8 ؎ 45.9 ng /ml, respectively, P ‫؍‬ 0.789). However, with more profound and prolonged hypoxia (n ‫؍‬ 19), IGFBP-1 levels were markedly elevated (470.6 ؎ 80.0 ng /ml, P ‫؍‬ 0.044). To investigate IGFBP-1 regulation by hypoxia in vitro, HepG2 cells were incubated under hypoxia (pO 2 ‫؍‬ 2%) and normoxia (pO 2 ‫؍‬ 20%). IGFBP-1 protein and mRNA increased 8-and 12-fold, respectively, under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia did not affect protein or mRNA levels of IGFBP-2 or -4. IGFBP-5 and -6 mRNAs, undetectable in control cells, were not induced by hypoxia, whereas minimally expressed IGFBP-3 mRNA increased twofold. Investigation into IGFBP-1 gene structure revealed three potential consensus sequences for the hypoxia response element (HRE) in the first intron. To investigate functionality, a 372-bp fragment of IGFBP-1 intron 1, containing putative HREs, was placed 5 to a heterologous hsp70 promoter in a plasmid using luciferase as a reporter gene. Under hypoxia, reporter gene activity increased up to 30-fold. Mutations in the middle HRE abolished reporter activity in response to hypoxia, suggesting that this HRE is functional in the IGFBP-1 hypoxia response. Cotransfection of HRE reporter genes with a constitutively expressing hypoxia-inducible factor 1 plasmid in HepG2 cells resulted in a fourfold induction of reporter activity, suggesting a role for hypoxia-inducible factor 1 in hypoxia induction of IGFBP-1 gene expression. These data support the hypothesis that hypoxia regulation of IGFBP-1 may be a mechanism operating in the human fetus to restrict insulin-like growth factor-mediated growth in utero under conditions of chronic hypoxia and limited substrate availability.

Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) and IGF binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) appear to play an important role in paracrine interactions at the maternal-fetal interface in human pregnancy. Patterns of expression of IGF-II and IGFBP-1 at the decidual-trophoblast interface suggest paracrine interactions occur between the IGF-II-expressing invading cytotrophoblast and maternal decidua-derived IGFBP-1. Autocrine/paracrine actions of trophoblast-derived IGF-II may be important in invasion, and for both trophoblast and decidual function. The actions of IGFBP-1 in binding IGF, and as an integrin ligand, suggest it may have multiple roles in the interactions between the invading trophoblast and the maternal decidua. Abundant decidual IGFBP-1 may interact with the IGF-II-expressing, protease-secreting trophoblast to modulate invasion. In-vitro studies of trophoblast-decidual cell interactions in invasion, and clinical observations in a gestational disorder with shallow placental invasion such as pre-eclampsia, have provided new insights into the possible role(s) of IGFBP-1 in trophoblast invasion. The precise mechanisms underlying IGF and IGFBP-1 action at the decidual-trophoblast interface remain to be elucidated. The potential predictive value of serum IGFBP-1 concentrations in pre-eclampsia also remains to be established.

We examined multiple aspects of reproductive function in growth hormone receptor gene knockout (GHR-KO) and normal mice to clarify the role of growth hormone in female reproduction. In adult animals, estrous cycle duration was comparable in all mice housed individually but was significantly longer in group-housed GHR-KO females. Histological evaluation of ovaries of adult females at estrus showed that the numbers of preovulatory follicles and corpora lutea were significantly reduced in GHR-KO mice, as was the plasma estradiol level. The number of atretic preovulatory follicles was reduced in GHR gene-ablated animals. Although reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed reduced ovarian insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mRNA expression in GHR-KO females, the expression of several steroidogenic enzyme mRNAs did not differ between groups. The numbers of active corpora lutea and uterine implantation sites were reduced in GHR-KO females at Day 7 of gestation. When young females were mated to normal males, latency to first mating and age of the female at first mating were significantly delayed in GHR-KO females, but maternal age at first conception was similar between groups. Significantly fewer virgin GHR-KO females exhibited pseudopregnancies when initially placed with vasectomized normal males than did normal female counterparts. Growth hormone resistance and IGF-I insufficiency negatively impacted 1) follicular development/ovulation rate, 2) sexual maturation, 3) production of and responsiveness to pheromonal signals, and 4) the ability of virgin females to respond to coitus by activation of luteal function. Although GHR-KO female mice are fertile, they exhibit quantitative deficits in various parameters of reproductive function.

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Background: Tissues undergoing a chronic inflammatory process, such as the synovium in rheumatoid arthritis, are characterized by the infiltration of lymphocytes of different subsets and activation of monocyte/macrophages. Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a monocyte/ macrophage product that stimulates synovial fibroblasts to produce matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), prostaglandins, and other cytokines, also has profound effects on the synthesis of extracellular matrix components such as type I collagen. In previous studies, we have shown that synovial fibroblasts and chondrocytes isolated from human joint tissues are particularly sensitive to prostaglandins, which modulate the effects of IL-1 on collagen gene expression in an autocrine manner. Materials and Methods: BALBc/3T3 fibroblasts were treated with IL-1 and prostaglandins in the absence and presence of indomethacin to inhibit endogenous prostaglandin biosynthesis. Collagen synthesis was analyzed by SDS-PAGE as [ 3 H]prolinelabeled, secreted proteins, and prostaglandin production and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (camp) content were assayed. The expression of type I collagen gene (Col1a1) promoter-reporter gene constructs was examined in transient transfection experiments, and the binding of nuclear factors to the Col1a1 promoter region spanning Ϫ222 bpրϩ116 bp was analyzed by DNase I footprinting and electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA) assays. Results: IL-1 increased the synthesis of type I and type III collagens in BALBc/3T3 fibroblasts; greater increases were observed when IL-1-stimulated synthesis of PGE 2 was blocked by indomethacin. Transient transfection experiments demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of theϪ222 bp Col1a1 promoter by exogenously added prostaglandins with the order of potency of PGF 2 ␣ Ͼ PGE 2 Ͼ PGE 1. DNase I footprinting showed increased protection, which extended from the region immediately upstream of the TATA box, owing to the binding of nuclear factors from PGE 2-or PGE 1-treated BALBc/3T3 cells. EMSA analysis showed zinc-dependent differences in the binding of nuclear factors from untreated and prostaglandin-treated cells to the Ϫ84 bpրϪ29 bp region of the Col1a1 promoter. Conclusions: These results show that the inhibition of Col1a1 expression by IL-1 in fibroblasts is mediated by prostaglandins at the transcriptional level and suggest that PGE-responsive factors may interact directly or indirectly with basal regulatory elements in the proximal promoter region of the Col1a1 gene.

The IGF family plays an important role in implantation and placental physiology. IGF-II is abundantly expressed by placental trophoblasts, and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-4, a potent inhibitor of IGF actions, is the second most abundant IGFBP in the placental bed, expressed exclusively by the maternal decidua. Proteolysis of IGFBP-4 results in decreased affinity for IGF peptides, thereby enhancing IGF actions. In the current study, we have identified the IGFBP-4 protease and its inhibitor in human trophoblast and decidualized endometrial stromal cell cultures, and we have investigated their regulation in an effort to understand control of IGF-II bioavailability at the placental-decidual interface in human implantation. IGFBP-4 protease activity was detected in conditioned media (CM) from human trophoblasts and decidualized endometrial stromal cells using (125)I-IGFBP-4 substrate. Identification of the IGFBP-4 protease as pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) was confirmed by specific immunoinhibition and immunodepletion of the IGFBP-4 protease activity with specific PAPP-A antibodies. The IGFBP-4 protease activity was IGF-II-dependent in trophoblast CM. In decidualized stromal CM, PAPP-A/IGFBP-4 protease activity was also IGF-II-dependent, but was evident only when IGF-II was added in molar excess of the predominant IGFBP in decidualized stromal cell CM, IGFBP-1, supporting bioavailable IGF-II as a key cofactor of IGFBP-4 proteolysis by PAPP-A. Cultured first and second trimester human trophoblasts (n = 5) secreted PAPP-A into CM with mean +/- SEM levels of 172.4 +/- 32.8 mIU/liter.10(5) cells, determined by specific ELISA. PAPP-A in trophoblast CM (n = 3) and did not change in the presence of IGF-II (1-100 ng/ml). Cultured human endometrial stromal cells (n = 4) secreted low levels of PAPP-A (6.25 +/- 3.6 mIU/liter.10(5) cells). A physiological inhibitor of PAPP-A, the proform of eosinophil major basic protein (proMBP), was detected in trophoblast CM at levels of 1853 +/- 308 mIU/liter.10(5) cells, determined by specific ELISA, and was nearly undetectable in CM of human endometrial stromal cells. Upon in vitro decidualization of endometrial stromal cells with progesterone, PAPP-A levels in CM increased nearly 9-fold without a concomitant change in proMBP. In contrast to the experiments with trophoblasts, IGF-II and the IGF analogues, Leu(27) IGF-II, and Des (1-6) IGF-II, resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of PAPP-A levels in decidualized endometrial stromal CM by 70-90%, and a dose-dependent increase in proMBP of 14- to 41-fold. The data demonstrate conclusively that the IGF-II-dependent IGFBP-4 protease of human trophoblast and decidual origin is PAPP-A. Furthermore, the differential regulation of decidual PAPP-A and proMBP by insulin-like peptides supports a role for trophoblast-derived IGF-II as a paracrine regulator of these maternal decidual products that have the potential to regulate IGF-II bioavailability at the trophoblast-decidual interface. Overall, the data underscore potential roles for ...

During the course of human pregnancy, there is a marked increase in insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein (IGFBP)-3 protease activity in maternal serum that is first evident at 6 weeks of gestation, persists through term, and returns to nonpregnancy levels by day 5 postpartum. This protease activity cleaves IGFBP-3 into smaller fragments that have markedly reduced affinity for the IGFs. To date, the precise identity and cellular origin of the pregnancy-associated serum IGFBP-3 protease have not been established. To investigate whether placental and/or decidual tissues, which uniquely develop during pregnancy, may be sources of the pregnancy-associated serum IGFBP protease, we examined the secretion of IGFBP-3 protease in vitro by isolated human cytotrophoblasts or fibroblasts from second trimester placentae and by in vitro decidualized human endometrial stromal cells. Cytotrophoblasts were either cultured alone, which favors aggregation and fusion, or cocultured with decidualized endometrial stromal cells, which favors differentiation to an invasive phenotype. IGFBP-3 protease activity was detected in trophoblast, but not in placental fibroblast or decidualized endometrial cultures, and was also present in trophoblast-endometrial cocultures. Western ligand blot and Western immunoblot analyses showed that most of the endogenous IGFBP-3 in trophoblast cultures was in the form of low molecular weight fragments with reduced IGF binding affinity. The substrate specificity of the trophoblast-derived protease was identical to that in pregnancy serum, showing activity against IGFBP-2, -3, and -4, but being inactive against IGFBP-1. IGFBP-3 proteolysis by both pregnancy serum and trophoblast conditioned medium showed a major peak of activity at neutral pH. The trophoblast-derived activity caused time-and temperature-dependent proteolysis of IGFBP-3 into fragments of identical size as those produced by pregnancy serum, and also shared its sensitivity to protease inhibitors: highly sensitive to EDTA and o-phenanthroline, partially sensitive to the serine protease inhibitors AEBSF and aprotinin, and insensitive to alpha2-antiplasmin, and to aspartic and cysteine protease inhibitors. IGFBP-3 proteolysis by both pregnancy serum and trophoblast conditioned medium was also insensitive to tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, precluding the involvement of the matrix metalloproteinases. In contrast, both the pregnancy serum- and trophoblast-derived proteases were preferentially inhibited by a hydroxamic acid derivative with selective activity against the disintegrin-metalloproteinase tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme. This study shows that placental trophoblasts produce an IGFBP-3 protease with characteristics very similar to the activity found in pregnancy serum and indicates these cells at the maternal-fetal interface are a potential source of the pregnancy-associated serum IGFBP-3 protease. The findings further suggest that the main IGFBP-3 protease activity in both pregnancy serum and trophoblast cond...