In the present study, we evaluated whether mononuclear leukocytes could synthesize and secrete growth hormone (GH) in vitro. By using RNA slot blot analysis, we detected maximum spontaneous levels of specific GH mRNA in the cytoplasm of rat leukocytes after a 4-h incubation. Northern gel analysis demonstrated that the specific leukocyte GH RNA was polyadenylated and had a molecular mass of 1.0 kb. Further studies using immunofluorescence, antibody affinity chromatography, and Sephacryl gel filtration indicate that leukocytes secrete a high molecular weight (greater than 300,000) and a low molecular weight (approximately 22,000) immunoreactive GH (irGH). A substantial amount of the high molecular weight irGH can be converted to the lower molecular weight form after reduction with mercaptoethanol. The irGH appeared to be de novo synthesized because it could be radiolabeled with tritiated amino acids and its production could be blocked by previous incubation of leukocytes with cycloheximide. The replication of Nb2 rat node lymphoma cells was stimulated by affinity-purified human lymphocyte-derived irGH. The growth stimulation was blocked by specific antibodies to hGH. We conclude that lymphocytes produce an irGH that is similar to if not identical to pituitary GH in terms of bioactivity, antigenicity, and molecular weight. The findings demonstrate a potential regulatory loop between the immune and neuroendocrine tissues.

In the present study, we investigated the production of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) by leukocytes and its production after treatment with GH. Immunoreactive (ir) IGF-I was observed in leukocytes by direct immunofluorescence with fluorescein isothiocynate-conjugated antibodies to IGF-I. Studies using immunoaffinity purification, HPLC and a fibroblast proliferation bioassay suggests that the de novo synthesized leukocyte-derived irIGF-I is similar in mol wt, antigenicity, and bioactivity to serum IGF-I. We also evaluated the effect of GH on the production of leukocyte-derived irIGF-I. Spleen cells cultured for 24 h in the presence of exogenous GH caused a 2-fold elevation of irIGF-I as demonstrated by RIA and immunofluorescence. In order to determine if leukocyte-derived irGH can stimulate the production of irIGF-I, we cultured spleen cells for 24 h in the presence of antibodies specific for GH. The data showed a decrease in the number of cells positive for irIGF-I, suggesting that leukocyte-derived irGH may stimulate the synthesis of irIGF-I by leukocytes. We also demonstrated that exogenous IGF-I can decrease the levels of leukocyte GH-related RNA and ir protein. Taken together, our data demonstrate the synthesis and secretion of bioactive irIGF-I from leukocytes and suggest a regulatory circuit for leukocyte-derived irGH and irIGF-I within the immune system.

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CRYSTALLOGRAPHY OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES twitchin (B) containing the autoinhibited kinase domain and a Cterminal Ig-like domain shows that the Ig-like domain extends from the kinase domain opposite to the active site and exposes possible myosin interacting surfaces. Our studies of the regulation and domain architecture of giant protein kinases jointly with an analysis of autoinhibitory sequences of other autoinhibited kinases point to possible common and diverse features of the intrasteric regulatory mechanisms.