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The Role of the IGF Axis in Disease 2.0

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2023) | Viewed by 28338

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Dr. Claire M. Perks

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Cancer Endocrinology Group, Bristol Medical School, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
Interests: metabolic disturbances; IGFs and epithelial cancers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is the continuation of our previous special issue "The Role of the IGF Axis in the Disease".

This research topic aims to highlight the key roles that members of the IGF axis (ligands, IGFBPs, and receptors) play in the risk and progression of cancer and how these roles are often exacerbated by disturbed metabolic status. It will encompass their roles in cancer risk and how they utilise the hallmarks of cancer, such as angiogenesis, proliferation, metabolism and survival, to drive tumour development and potential approaches to target this axis.

Dr. Claire M. Perks
Guest Editor

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Keywords

IGF axis
cancer
obesity
hallmarks of cancer

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 2943 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of SOX9 in IGF-II-Mediated Pulmonary Fibrosis

by Kristy M. Waldrep, Jessalyn I. Rodgers, Sara M. Garrett, Bethany J. Wolf and Carol A. Feghali-Bostwick

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(14), 11234; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241411234 - 8 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2667

Abstract

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc) results in significant morbidity and mortality. We previously reported that insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) is overexpressed in lung tissues and fibroblasts from SSc patients, and IGF-II fosters fibrosis by upregulating collagen type I, fibronectin, and TGFβ. We now show that IGF-II augments mRNA levels of profibrotic signaling molecules TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.01) and TGFβ3 (p ≤ 0.05), collagen type III (p ≤ 0.01), and the collagen posttranslational modification enzymes P4HA2 (p ≤ 0.05), P3H2 (p ≤ 0.05), LOX (p = 0.065), LOXL2 (p ≤ 0.05), LOXL4 (p ≤ 0.05) in primary human lung fibroblasts. IGF-II increases protein levels of TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.01), as well as COL3A1, P4HA2, P4Hβ, and LOXL4 (p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, IGF-II decreases mRNA levels of the collagen degradation enzymes cathepsin (CTS) K, CTSB, and CTSL and protein levels of CTSK (p ≤ 0.05). The SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) is overexpressed in SSc lung tissues at the mRNA (p ≤ 0.05) and protein (p ≤ 0.01) levels compared to healthy controls. IGF-II induces SOX9 in lung fibroblasts (p ≤ 0.05) via the IGF1R/IR hybrid receptor, and SOX9 regulates TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.05), TGFβ3 (p ≤ 0.05), COL3A1 (p ≤ 0.01), and P4HA2 (p ≤ 0.001) downstream of IGF-II. Our results identify a novel IGF-II signaling axis and downstream targets that are regulated in a SOX9-dependent and -independent manner. Our findings provide novel insights on the role of IGF-II in promoting pulmonary fibrosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of the IGF Axis in Disease 2.0)

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12 pages, 2393 KiB

Open AccessArticle

IGF-1 Stimulates Glycolytic ATP Production in MCF-7L Cells

by Bhumika Rajoria, Xihong Zhang and Douglas Yee

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(12), 10209; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241210209 - 16 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2236

Abstract

The Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) system in breast cancer progression has been a matter of interest for decades, but targeting this system did not result in a successful clinical strategy. The system’s complexity and homology of its two receptors—insulin receptor (IR) and type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R)—are possible causes. The IGF system maintains cell proliferation and also regulates metabolism, making it a pathway to explore. To understand the metabolic phenotype of breast cancer cells, we quantified their real-time ATP production rate upon acute stimulation with ligands—insulin-like growth factor 1 (1GF-1) and insulin. MCF-7L cells express both IGF-1R and IR, while tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7L (MCF-7L TamR) cells have downregulated IGF-1R with unchanged IR levels. Treating MCF-7L cells with 5 nM IGF-1 increased the glycolytic ATP production rate, while 10 nM insulin did not affect metabolism when compared with the control. Neither treatment altered ATP production in MCF-7L TamR cells. This study provides evidence of the relationship between metabolic dysfunction, cancer, and the IGF axis. In these cells, IGF-1R, and not IR, regulates ATP production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of the IGF Axis in Disease 2.0)

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14 pages, 844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Serum IGFBP-1 Concentration as a Predictor of Outcome after Ischemic Stroke—A Prospective Observational Study

by Daniel Åberg, Gustaf Gadd, Katarina Jood, Petra Redfors, Tara M. Stanne, Jörgen Isgaard, Kaj Blennow, Henrik Zetterberg, Christina Jern, N. David Åberg and Johan Svensson

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(11), 9120; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119120 - 23 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1670

Abstract

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) regulates insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) bioactivity, and is a central player in normal growth, metabolism, and stroke recovery. However, the role of serum IGFBP-1 (s-IGFBP-1) after ischemic stroke is unclear. We determined whether s-IGFBP-1 is predictive of poststroke outcome. The study population comprised patients (n = 470) and controls (n = 471) from the Sahlgrenska Academy Study on Ischemic Stroke (SAHLSIS). Functional outcome was evaluated after 3 months, 2, and 7 years using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Survival was followed for a minimum of 7 years or until death. S-IGFBP-1 was increased after 3 months (p < 0.01), but not in the acute phase after stroke, compared with the controls. Higher acute s-IGFBP-1 was associated with poor functional outcome (mRS score > 2) after 7 years [fully adjusted odds ratio (OR) per log increase 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-5.9]. Moreover, higher s-IGFBP-1 after 3 months was associated with a risk of poor functional outcome after 2 and 7 years (fully adjusted: OR 3.4, 95% CI: 1.4–8.5 and OR 5.7, 95% CI: 2.5–12.8, respectively) and with increased mortality risk (fully adjusted: HR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1–3.7). Thus, high acute s-IGFBP-1 was only associated with poor functional outcome after 7 years, whereas s-IGFBP-1 after 3 months was an independent predictor of poor long-term functional outcome and poststroke mortality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of the IGF Axis in Disease 2.0)

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21 pages, 2784 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Placental Remote Control of Fetal Metabolism: Trophoblast mTOR Signaling Regulates Liver IGFBP-1 Phosphorylation and IGF-1 Bioavailability

by Fredrick J. Rosario, Anand Chopra, Kyle Biggar, Theresa L. Powell, Madhulika B. Gupta and Thomas Jansson

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(8), 7273; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24087273 - 14 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2017

Abstract

The mechanisms mediating the restricted growth in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) remain to be fully established. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling functions as a placental nutrient sensor, indirectly influencing fetal growth by regulating placental function. Increased secretion and the phosphorylation of fetal liver IGFBP-1 are known to markedly decrease the bioavailability of IGF-1, a major fetal growth factor. We hypothesized that an inhibition of trophoblast mTOR increases liver IGFBP-1 secretion and phosphorylation. We collected conditioned media (CM) from cultured primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells with a silenced RAPTOR (specific inhibition of mTOR Complex 1), RICTOR (inhibition of mTOR Complex 2), or DEPTOR (activates both mTOR Complexes). Subsequently, HepG2 cells, a well-established model for human fetal hepatocytes, were cultured in CM from PHT cells, and IGFBP-1 secretion and phosphorylation were determined. CM from PHT cells with either mTORC1 or mTORC2 inhibition caused the marked hyperphosphorylation of IGFBP-1 in HepG2 cells as determined by 2D-immunoblotting while Parallel Reaction Monitoring-Mass Spectrometry (PRM-MS) identified increased dually phosphorylated Ser169 + Ser174. Furthermore, using the same samples, PRM-MS identified multiple CK2 peptides coimmunoprecipitated with IGFBP-1 and greater CK2 autophosphorylation, indicating the activation of CK2, a key enzyme mediating IGFBP-1 phosphorylation. Increased IGFBP-1 phosphorylation inhibited IGF-1 function, as determined by the reduced IGF-1R autophosphorylation. Conversely, CM from PHT cells with mTOR activation decreased IGFBP-1 phosphorylation. CM from non-trophoblast cells with mTORC1 or mTORC2 inhibition had no effect on HepG2 IGFBP-1 phosphorylation. Placental mTOR signaling may regulate fetal growth by the remote control of fetal liver IGFBP-1 phosphorylation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of the IGF Axis in Disease 2.0)

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15 pages, 1114 KiB

Open AccessArticle

MicroRNA 132-3p Is Upregulated in Laron Syndrome Patients and Controls Longevity Gene Expression

by Danielle Yaron-Saminsky, Karthik Nagaraj, Rive Sarfstein, Zvi Laron, Metsada Pasmanik-Chor and Haim Werner

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(21), 11861; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222111861 - 1 Nov 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2361

Abstract

The growth hormone (GH)–insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) endocrine axis is a central player in normal growth and metabolism as well as in a number of pathologies, including cancer. The GH–IGF1 hormonal system, in addition, has emerged as a major determinant of lifespan and healthspan. Laron syndrome (LS), the best characterized entity under the spectrum of the congenital IGF1 deficiencies, results from mutation of the GH receptor (GHR) gene, leading to dwarfism, obesity and other defects. Consistent with the key role of IGF1 in cellular proliferation, epidemiological studies have shown that LS patients are protected from cancer development. While reduced expression of components of the GH-IGF1 axis is associated with enhanced longevity in animal models, it is still unknown whether LS is associated with an increased lifespan. MicroRNAs (miRs) are endogenous short non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of complementary mRNAs. While a number of miRs involved in the regulation of IGF components have been identified, no previous studies have investigated the differential expression of miRs in congenital IGF1 deficiencies. The present study was aimed at identifying miRs that are differentially expressed in LS and that might account for the phenotypic features of LS patients, including longevity. Our genomic analyses provide evidence that miR-132-3p was highly expressed in LS. In addition, we identified SIRT1, a member of the sirtuin family of histone deacetylases, as a target for negative regulation by miR-132-3p. The data was consistent with the notion that low concentrations of IGF1 in LS lead to elevated miR-132-3p levels, with ensuing reduction in SIRT1 gene expression. The impact of the IGF1-miR-132-3p-SIRT1 loop on aging merits further investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of the IGF Axis in Disease 2.0)

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Review

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21 pages, 2047 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Impact of Westernization on the Insulin/IGF-I Signaling Pathway and the Metabolic Syndrome: It Is Time for Change

by Joseph A. M. J. L. Janssen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(5), 4551; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054551 - 25 Feb 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 7011

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of overlapping conditions resulting in an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In the last few decades, prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the Western world has reached epidemic proportions and this is likely due to alterations in diet and the environment as well as decreased physical activity. This review discusses how the Western diet and lifestyle (Westernization) has played an important etiological role in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome and its consequences by exerting negative effects on activity of the insulin–insulin-like growth factor-I (insulin–IGF-I) system. It is further proposed that interventions that normalize/reduce activity of the insulin–IGF-I system may play a key role in the prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome. For successful prevention, limitation, and treatment of the metabolic syndrome, the focus should be primarily on changing our diets and lifestyle in accordance with our genetic make-up, formed in adaptation to Paleolithic diets and lifestyles during a period of several million years of human evolution. Translating this insight into clinical practice, however, requires not only individual changes in our food and lifestyle, starting in pediatric populations at a very young age, but also requires fundamental changes in our current health systems and food industry. Change is needed: primary prevention of the metabolic syndrome should be made a political priority. New strategies and policies should be developed to stimulate and implement behaviors encouraging the sustainable use of healthy diets and lifestyles to prevent the metabolic syndrome before it develops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of the IGF Axis in Disease 2.0)

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15 pages, 1133 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mini Review: Molecular Interpretation of the IGF/IGF-1R Axis in Cancer Treatment and Stem Cells-Based Therapy in Regenerative Medicine

by Syuan-Ling Lin, Chih-Yang Lin, Wei Lee, Chiao-Fang Teng, Woei-Cherng Shyu and Long-Bin Jeng

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 11781; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911781 - 4 Oct 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2429

Abstract

In addition to the fundamental role of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)/IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling dysregulation in cancer initiation and proliferation, the IGF/IGF-1R signaling also plays an important role in the maintenance of stem cell characteristics and enhancement of stem cell-based therapeutic efficacy. This review focused on the role of IGF/IGF-1R signaling in preclinical IGF-targeted therapies, including IGF-1R monoclonal antibodies, IGF-1R tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and neutralizing antibodies of IGFs in multiple tumors and endocrine disorders. On the other hand, the function of IGF/IGF-1R signaling in stem cell self-renewal, pluripotency and therapeutic efficacy in regenerative medicine was outlined. Finally, the review summarized ongoing studies on IGF/IGF-1R signaling blockade in multiple cancers and highlighted the IGF-1R signaling modifications in stem cells as a potential strategy to improve stem cell-based therapeutics in regenerative medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of the IGF Axis in Disease 2.0)

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14 pages, 2147 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Sirenic Links between Diabetes, Obesity, and Bladder Cancer

by Emily Gill, Gurimaan Sandhu, Douglas G. Ward, Claire M. Perks and Richard T. Bryan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(20), 11150; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222011150 - 15 Oct 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2826

Abstract

There is considerable evidence of a positive association between the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity with bladder cancer (BCa), with the link between T2DM and obesity having already been established. There also appear to be potential associations between Pleckstrin homology domain containing S1 (PLEKHS1) and the Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) axis. Seven literature searches were carried out to investigate the backgrounds of these potential links. PLEKHS1 is a candidate biomarker in BCa, with mutations that are easily detectable in urine and increased expression seemingly associated with worse disease states. PLEKHS1 has also been implicated as a potential mediator for the onset of T2DM in people with obesity. The substantial evidence of the involvement of IGF in BCa, the role of the IGF axis in obesity and T2DM, and the global prevalence of T2DM and obesity suggest there is scope for investigating the links between these components. Preliminary findings on the relationship between PLEKHS1 and the IGF axis signal possible associations with BCa progression. This indicates that PLEKHS1 plays a role in the pathogenesis of BCa that may be mediated by members of the IGF axis. Further detailed research is needed to establish the relationship between PLEKHS1 and the IGF axis in BCa and determine how these phenomena overlap with T2DM and obesity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of the IGF Axis in Disease 2.0)

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15 pages, 1512 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Roles of the IGF Axis in the Regulation of the Metabolism: Interaction and Difference between Insulin Receptor Signaling and IGF-I Receptor Signaling

by Tomoko Okuyama, Mayu Kyohara, Yasuo Terauchi and Jun Shirakawa

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(13), 6817; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22136817 - 24 Jun 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3231

Abstract

It has been well established that insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) mainly mediate long-term actions in cell fates, whereas insulin predominantly exerts its role on metabolic activity. Indeed, insulin mediates multiple anabolic biological activities in glucose and amino acid transport, lipid and protein synthesis, the induction of glycogen, the inhibition of gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, and protein degradation. The interactions and differences between insulin receptor signaling and IGF-I receptor signaling in the metabolism and the cell fates are quite complicated. Because of the overlapping actions of IGF-I singling with insulin signaling, it has been difficult to distinguish the role of both signaling mechanisms on the metabolism. Furthermore, comprehensive information on the IGF-I function in respective tissues remains insufficient. Therefore, we need to clarify the precise roles of IGF-I signaling on the metabolism separate from those of insulin signaling. This review focuses on the metabolic roles of IGFs in the respective tissues, especially in terms of comparison with those of insulin, by overviewing the metabolic phenotypes of tissue-specific IGF-I and insulin receptor knockout mice, as well as those in mice treated with the dual insulin receptor/IGF-I receptor inhibitor OSI-906. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of the IGF Axis in Disease 2.0)

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