IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 production by human intestinal muscle: reciprocal regulation by endogenous TGF-beta1.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I)-mediated growth of cells can be modulated by specific IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) that inhibit or augment IGF-I ligand-receptor interaction. IGFBP expression and production by human intestinal muscle cells in culture was characterized in rapidly growing cells (day 3 of culture), in confluent cells (day 7), and in postconfluent cells (day 14). RT-PCR analysis identified IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, and IGFBP-5 mRNA during all three phases of growth. The production of IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 was regulated in reciprocal fashion. IGFBP-5 production was high on day 3 and decreased two- to fivefold by day 14, and IGFBP-3 production was low on day 3 and increased five- to eightfold by day 14. IGFBP-4 production remained constant. IGFBP-3 inhibited and IGFBP-5 augmented IGF-I-induced proliferation. IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 production was regulated in reciprocal fashion by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1). Immunoneutralization of endogenous TGF-beta1 decreased the production of IGFBP-3 and increased the production of IGFBP-5. Addition of exogenous recombinant human TGF-beta1 had the opposite effect. We conclude that the expression and time-dependent production of IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, and IGFBP-5 and their regulation by endogenous TGF-beta1 represent mechanisms by which human intestinal muscle cells regulate autocrine IGF-I-mediated growth.