Comparative studies of insulin binding to receptor from adipocytes, hepatocytes, monocytes and erythrocytes from the pig. Similarities with insulin receptor binding in man.

We have described the receptor binding of A14-labelled [125I]insulin to viable adipocytes, hepatocytes, monocytes and erythrocytes from the pig. For all cell types the binding was of high affinity, specific for insulin, the non-specific binding low and degradation of insulin in the medium was minimal. At 24 degrees C, steady state insulin binding was achieved in all four cell types. At 37 degrees C, steady state insulin binding could be measured to adipocytes and hepatocytes. Specific insulin binding levels and receptor affinity for blood and fat cells from the pig are comparable to that in human cells, whereas differences, especially according to affinity, exist between pig and rat cell insulin receptor binding. It is therefore concluded that the pig is a more suitable model for studies of insulin binding in man than rodents. Finally, no correlations between the individual binding levels to the different cell types were observed. Hence, measurement of insulin binding to the easier available blood cells cannot replace studies of insulin binding to target cells of insulin.