Extravascular administration of IGF1R antagonists protects against aortic aneurysm in rodent and porcine models.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening cardiovascular disease. We identified plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) as an independent risk factor in patients with AAA by correlating plasma IGF1 with risk. Smooth muscle cell- or fibroblast-specific knockout of Igf1r, the gene encoding the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R), attenuated AAA formation in two mouse models of AAA induced by angiotensin II infusion or CaCl2 treatment. IGF1R was activated in aortic aneurysm samples from human patients and mice with AAA. Systemic administration of IGF1C, a peptide fragment of IGF1, 2 weeks after disease development inhibited AAA progression in mice. Decreased AAA formation was linked to competitive inhibition of IGF1 binding to its receptor by IGF1C and modulation of downstream alpha serine/threonine protein kinase (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling. Localized application of an IGF1C-loaded hydrogel was developed to reduce the side effects observed after systemic administration of IGF1C or IGF1R antagonists in the CaCl2-induced AAA mouse model. The inhibitory effect of the IGF1C-loaded hydrogel administered at disease onset on AAA formation was further evaluated in a guinea pig-to-rat xenograft model and in a sheep-to-minipig xenograft model of AAA formation. The therapeutic efficacy of IGF1C for treating AAA was tested through extravascular delivery in the sheep-to-minipig model with AAA established for 2 weeks. Percutaneous injection of the IGF1C-loaded hydrogel around the AAA resulted in improved vessel flow dynamics in the minipig aorta. These findings suggest that extravascular administration of IGF1R antagonists may have translational potential for treating AAA.

Potential role of IGF-1R in the interaction between orbital fibroblasts and B lymphocytes: an implication for B lymphocyte depletion in the active inflammatory phase of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an inflammatory process involving lymphocyte-mediated immune response and orbital tissue damage. The anti-insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) antibodies produced by B lymphocytes are involved in the activation of orbital fibroblasts and the inflammatory process of orbital tissue damage in TED. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of IGF-1R in the mechanistic connection between orbital fibroblasts and B lymphocytes in TED. METHODS: Orbital fibroblasts sampled from orbital connective tissues and peripheral B lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood, which were obtained from 15 patients with TED and 15 control patients, were co-cultured at a ratio of 1:20. The level of IGF-1R expression in orbital fibroblasts was evaluated by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transient B lymphocyte depletion was induced with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab, while the IGF-1R pathway was blocked by the IGF-1R binding protein. The expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) in the co-culture model were quantified via ELISA. RESULTS: IGF-1R expression was significantly elevated in TED orbital fibroblasts compared to that of controls. A 24-h co-culture of orbital fibroblasts with peripheral B lymphocytes induced elevated expression levels of IL-6 and RANTES in each group (TED patients and controls), with the highest levels occurring in TED patients (T + T group). Rituximab and IGF-1R binding protein significantly inhibited increased levels of IL-6 and RANTES in the co-culture model of TED patients. CONCLUSIONS: IGF-1R may mediate interaction between orbital fibroblasts and peripheral B lymphocytes; thus, blocking IGF-1R may reduce the local inflammatory response in TED. Rituximab-mediated B lymphocyte depletion played a role in inhibiting inflammatory responses in this in vitro co-culture model, providing a theoretical basis for the clinical application of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies in TED.

Normal Ovarian Function in Subfertile Mouse with Amhr2-Cre-Driven Ablation of Insr and Igf1r.

Insulin receptor signaling promotes cell differentiation, proliferation, and growth which are essential for oocyte maturation, embryo implantation, endometrial decidualization, and placentation. The dysregulation of insulin signaling in women with metabolic syndromes including diabetes exhibits poor pregnancy outcomes that are poorly understood. We utilized the Cre/LoxP system to target the tissue-specific conditional ablation of insulin receptor (Insr) and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (Igf1r) using an anti-Mullerian hormone receptor 2 (Amhr2) Cre-driver which is active in ovarian granulosa and uterine stromal cells. Our long-term goal is to examine insulin-dependent molecular mechanisms that underlie diabetic pregnancy complications, and our conditional knockout models allow for such investigation without confounding effects of ligand identity, source and cross-reactivity, or global metabolic status within dams. Puberty occurred with normal timing in all conditional knockout models. Estrous cycles progressed normally in Insrd/d females but were briefly stalled in diestrus in Igf1rd/d and double receptor (DKO) mice. The expression of vital ovulatory genes (Lhcgr, Pgr, Ptgs2) was not significantly different in 12 h post-hCG superovulated ovaries in knockout mice. Antral follicles exhibited an elevated apoptosis of granulosa cells in Igf1rd/d and DKO mice. However, the distribution of ovarian follicle subtypes and subsequent ovulations was normal in all insulin receptor mutants compared to littermate controls. While ovulation was normal, all knockout lines were subfertile suggesting that the loss of insulin receptor signaling in the uterine stroma elicits implantation and decidualization defects responsible for subfertility in Amhr2-Cre-derived insulin receptor mutants.

Structural Models for a Series of Allosteric Inhibitors of IGF1R Kinase.

The allosteric inhibition of insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 kinase (IGF1RK) is a potential strategy to overcome selectivity barriers for targeting receptor tyrosine kinases. We constructed structural models of a series of 12 indole-butyl-amine derivatives that have been reported as allosteric inhibitors of IGF1RK. We further studied the dynamics and interactions of each inhibitor in the allosteric pocket via all-atom explicit-solvent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We discovered that a bulky carbonyl substitution at the R1 indole ring is structurally unfavorable for inhibitor binding in the IGF1RK allosteric pocket. Moreover, we found that the most potent derivative (termed C11) acquires a distinct conformation: forming an allosteric pocket channel with better shape complementarity and interactions with the receptor. In addition to a hydrogen-bonding interaction with V1063, the cyano derivative C11 forms a stable hydrogen bond with M1156, which is responsible for its unique binding conformation in the allosteric pocket. Our findings show that the positioning of chemical substituents with different pharmacophore features at the R1 indole ring influences molecular interactions and binding conformations of indole-butyl-amine derivatives and, hence, dramatically affects their potencies. Our results provide a structural framework for the design of allosteric inhibitors with improved affinities and specificities against IGF1RK.

circ_PPAPDC1A promotes Osimertinib resistance by sponging the miR-30a-3p/ IGF1R pathway in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence has demonstrated that abnormal expression and regulation of circular RNA (circRNAs) are involved in the occurrence and development of a variety of tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of circ_PPAPDC1A in Osimertinib resistance in NSCLC. METHODS: Human circRNAs microarray analysis was conducted to identify differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs in Osimertinib-acquired resistance tissues of NSCLC. The effect of circ_PPAPDC1A on cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis was assessed in both in vitro and in vivo. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, RT-qPCR, Western-blot, and rescue assay were employed to confirm the interaction between circ_PPAPDC1A/miR-30a-3p/IGF1R axis. RESULTS: The results revealed that circ_PPAPDC1A was significantly upregulated in Osimertinib acquired resistance tissues of NSCLC. circ_PPAPDC1A reduced the sensitivity of PC9 and HCC827 cells to Osimertinib and promoted cell proliferation, invasion, migration, while inhibiting apoptosis in Osimertinib-resistant PC9/OR and HCC829/OR cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Silencing circ_PPAPDC1A partially reversed Osimertinib resistance. Additionally, circ_PPAPDC1A acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by targeting miR-30a-3p, and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF1R) was identified as a functional gene for miR-30a-3p in NSCLC. Furthermore, the results confirmed that circ_PPAPDC1A/miR-30a-3p/IGF1R axis plays a role in activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in NSCLC with Osimertinib resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, for the first time we identified that circ_PPAPDC1A was significantly upregulated and exerts an oncogenic role in NSCLC with Osimertinib resistance by sponging miR-30a-3p to active IGF1R/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. circ_PPAPDC1A may serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for NSCLC patients with Osimertinib resistance.

Insulin Signaling Differentially Regulates the Trafficking of Insulin and Amyloid Beta Peptides at the Blood-Brain Barrier.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is instrumental in clearing toxic metabolites from the brain, such as amyloid-ß (Aß) peptides, and in delivering essential nutrients to the brain, like insulin. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain, increased Aß levels are paralleled by decreased insulin levels, which are accompanied by insulin signaling deficits at the BBB. Thus, we investigated the impact of insulin-like growth factor and insulin receptor (IGF1R and IR) signaling on Aß and insulin trafficking at the BBB. Following intravenous infusion of an IGF1R/IR kinase inhibitor (AG1024) in wild-type mice, the BBB trafficking of 125I radiolabeled Aß peptides and insulin was assessed by dynamic SPECT/CT imaging. The brain efflux of [125I]iodo-Aß42 decreased upon AG1024 treatment. Additionally, the brain influx of [125I]iodoinsulin, [125I]iodo-Aß42, [125I]iodo-Aß40, and [125I]iodo-BSA (BBB integrity marker) was decreased, increased, unchanged, and unchanged, respectively, upon AG1024 treatment. Subsequent mechanistic studies were performed using an in vitro BBB cell model. The cell uptake of [125I]iodoinsulin, [125I]iodo-Aß42, and [125I]iodo-Aß40 was decreased, increased, and unchanged, respectively, upon AG1024 treatment. Further, AG1024 reduced the phosphorylation of insulin signaling kinases (Akt and Erk) and the membrane expression of Aß and insulin trafficking receptors (LRP-1 and IR-ß). These findings reveal that insulin signaling differentially regulates the BBB trafficking of Aß peptides and insulin. Moreover, deficits in IGF1R and IR signaling, as observed in the brains of type II diabetes and AD patients, are expected to increase Aß accumulation while decreasing insulin delivery to the brain, which has been linked to the progression of cognitive decline in AD.

The receptor tyrosine kinase IGF1R and its associated GPCRs are co-regulated by the noncoding RNA NEAT1 in Alzheimer's disease.

The study is based on the complexity of Insulin like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) signaling and its regulation by noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). IGF1R signaling is an important cascade in Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, its regulation and roles are poorly understood. Due to the presence of ß-arrestin and GPCR Receptor Kinase binding sites, this protein has been termed a 'functional hybrid', as it can take part in both kinase and GPCR signaling pathways, further adding to its complexity. The objective of this study is to understand the underlying ncRNA regulation controlling IGF1R and GPCRs in AD to find commonalities in the network. We found through data mining that 45 GPCRs were reportedly deregulated in AD and built clusters based on GO/KEGG pathways to show shared functionality with IGF1R. Eight miRs were further discovered that could coregulate IGF1R and GPCRs. We validated their expression in an AD cell model and probed for common lncRNAs downstream that could regulate these miRs. Seven such candidates were identified and further validated. A combined network comprising IGF1R with nine GPCRs, eight miRs, and seven lncRNAs was created to visualize the interconnectivity within pathways. Betweenness centrality analysis showed a cluster of NEAT1, hsa-miR-15a-5p, hsa-miR-16-5p, and IGF1R to be crucial form a competitive endogenous RNA-based (ceRNA) tetrad that could relay information within the network, which was further validated by cell-based studies. NEAT1 emerged as a master regulator that could alter the levels of IGF1R and associated GPCRs. This combined bioinformatics and experimental study for the first time explored the regulation of IGF1R through ncRNAs from the perspective of neurodegeneration.

Application of targeted liposomes-based salvianolic acid A for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Novel therapeutics for the treatment of ischemic stroke remains to be the unmet clinical needs. Previous studies have indicated that salvianolic acid A (SAA) is a promising candidate for the treatment of the brain diseases. However, SAA has poor absolute bioavailability and does not efficiently cross the intact blood-brain barrier (BBB), which limit its efficacy. To this end we developed a brain-targeted liposomes for transporting SAA via the BBB by incorporating the liposomes to a transport receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R). The liposomes were prepared by ammonium sulfate gradients loading method. The prepared SAA-loaded liposomes (Lipo/SAA) were modified with IGF1R monoclonal antibody to generate IGF1R antibody-conjugated Lipo/SAA (IGF1R-targeted Lipo/SAA). The penetration of IGF1R-targeted Lipo/SAA into the brain was confirmed by labeling with Texas Red, and their efficacy were evaluate using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. The results showed that IGF1R-targeted Lipo/SAA are capable of transporting SAA across the BBB into the brain, accumulation in brain tissue, and sustained releasing SAA for several hours. Administration o IGF1R-targeted Lipo/SAA notably reduced infarct size and neuronal damage, improved neurological function and inhibited cerebral inflammation, which had much higher efficiency than no-targeted SAA.

Sensitive and label-free SPR biosensing platforms for high-throughput screening of plasma membrane receptors interactions with insulin-like targets of hypoglycaemic activity.

Progress in medical sciences aims for tailored therapy of civilization diseases like diabetes. Preclinical screening of new medicines superior to insulin should include the verification of their affinity to the membrane receptors naturally stimulated by this hormone: insulin receptor isoforms A and B and insulin-like growth factor receptor. Considering that the affinity constants obtained using different experimental conditions are incomparable, it is essential to develop a robust and reliable method to analyze these interactions. The versatile SPR platform developed in this study enables the evaluation of the bioactivity of hypoglycaemic molecules. Thanks to the comprehensive characterization of miscellaneous aspects of the analytical platform, including the design of the SPR biosensor receptor layer, ensuring interaction specificity, as well as the quality control of the standards used (human insulin, HI; long-acting insulin analog: glargine, Gla), the feasibility of the method of equilibrium and kinetic constants determination for insulin-like targets was confirmed. SPR assays constructed in the direct format using IR-A, IR-B, and IGF1-R receptor proteins show high sensitivities and low detection limits towards insulin and glargine detection in the range of 18.3-53.3 nM with no signs of mass transport limitations. The improved analytical performance and stability of SPR biosensors favor the acquisition of good-quality kinetic data, while preservation of receptors activity after binding to long-chain carboxymethyldextran, combined with spontaneous regeneration, results in stability and long shelf life of the biosensor, which makes it useful for label-free insulin analogs biosensing and thus extensive screening in diabetic drugs discovery.

Insulin and IGF-1 have both overlapping and distinct effects on CD4+ T cell mitochondria, metabolism, and function.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) are metabolic hormones with known effects on CD4+ T cells through insulin receptor (IR) and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling. Here, we describe specific and distinct roles for these hormones and receptors. We have found that IGF-1R, but not IR, expression is increased following CD4+ T cell activation or following differentiation toward Th17 cells. Although both insulin and IGF-1 increase the metabolism of CD4+ T cells, insulin has a more potent effect. However, IGF-1 has a unique role and acts specifically on Th17 cells to increase IL-17 production and Th17 cell metabolism. Furthermore, IGF-1 decreases mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) in Th17 cells, providing a cytoprotective effect. Interestingly, both IR and IGF-1R are required for this effect of IGF-1 on mitochondria, which suggests that the hybrid IR/IGF-1R may be required for mediating the effect of IGF-1 on mitochondrial membrane potential and mROS production.

GWAS-identified hyperuricemia-associated IGF1R variant rs6598541 has a limited role in urate mediated inflammation in human mononuclear cells.

Gout is a common autoinflammatory joint diseases characterized by deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals which trigger an innate immune response mediated by inflammatory cytokines. IGF1R is one of the loci associated with both urate levels and gout susceptibility in GWAS to date, and IGF-1-IGF-1R signaling is implicated in urate control. We investigate the role of IGF-1/IGF1R signaling in the context of gouty inflammation. Also, we test the gout and urate-associated IGF1R rs6598541 polymorphism for association with the inflammatory capacity of mononuclear cells. For this, freshly isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were exposed to recombinant IGF-1 or anti-IGF1R neutralizing antibody in the presence or absence of solubilized urate, stimulated with LPS/MSU crystals. Also, the association of rs6598541 with IGF1R and protein expression and with ex vivo cytokine production levels after stimulation with gout specific stimuli was tested. Urate exposure was not associated with IGF1R expression in vitro or in vivo. Modulation of IGF1R did not alter urate-induced inflammation. Developing urate-induced trained immunity in vitro was not influenced in cells challenged with IGF-1 recombinant protein. Moreover, the IGF1R rs6598541 SNP was not associated with cytokine production. Our results indicate that urate-induced inflammatory priming is not regulated by IGF-1/IGF1R signaling in vitro. IGF1R rs6598541 status was not asociated with IGF1R expression or cytokine production in primary human PBMCs. This study suggests that the role of IGF1R in gout is tissue-specific and may be more relevant in the control of urate levels rather than in inflammatory signaling in gout.

PRKCSH contributes to TNFSF resistance by extending IGF1R half-life and activation in lung cancer.

Tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) resistance contributes to the development and progression of tumors and resistance to various cancer therapies. Tumor-intrinsic alterations involved in the adaptation to the TNFSF response remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that protein kinase C substrate 80K-H (PRKCSH) abundance in lung cancers boosts oncogenic IGF1R activation, leading to TNFSF resistance. PRKCSH abundance is correlated with IGF1R upregulation in lung cancer tissues. Specifically, PRKCSH interacts with IGF1R and extends its half-life. The PRKCSH-IGF1R axis in tumor cells impairs caspase-8 activation, increases Mcl-1 expression, and inhibits caspase-9, leading to an imbalance between cell death and survival. PRKCSH deficiency augmented the antitumor effects of natural killer (NK) cells, representative TNFSF effector cells, in a tumor xenograft IL-2Rg-deficient NOD/SCID (NIG) mouse model. Our data suggest that PRKCSH plays a critical role in TNFSF resistance and may be a potential target to improve the efficacy of NK cell-based cancer therapy.

IGF1R stimulates autophagy, enhances viability, and promotes insulin secretion in pancreatic ß cells in gestational diabetes mellitus by upregulating ATG7.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent metabolic disturbance in pregnancy. This article investigated the correlations between serum IGF1R and ATG7 with insulin resistance (IR) in GDM patients. Firstly, 100 GDM patients and 100 healthy pregnant women were selected as study subjects. The levels of serum IGF1, IGF1R, and ATG7 and their correlations with the insulin resistance index homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured and analyzed by ELISA and Pearson. Additionally, in mouse pancreatic ß cells, IGF1R, ATG7, Beclin-1, and LC3-II/LC3-I levels, cell viability/apoptosis, and insulin level were assessed by western blot, CCK-8, flow cytometry, and ELISA. The GDM group exhibited obviously raised serum IGF1 level and diminished serum IGF1R/ATG7 levels. The IGF1 level was positively correlated with HOMA-IR, while IGF1R/ATG7 levels were negatively correlated with HOMA-IR in GDM patients. Collectively, IGF1R stimulated cell viability, suppressed apoptosis, amplified insulin secretion, and increased ATG7 expression to induce cell autophagy, which could be partially averted by ATG7 silencing.

A viral insulin-like peptide inhibits IGF-1 receptor phosphorylation and regulates IGF1R gene expression.

OBJECTIVE: The insulin/IGF superfamily is conserved across vertebrates and invertebrates. Our team has identified five viruses containing genes encoding viral insulin/IGF-1 like peptides (VILPs) closely resembling human insulin and IGF-1. This study aims to characterize the impact of Mandarin fish ranavirus (MFRV) and Lymphocystis disease virus-Sa (LCDV-Sa) VILPs on the insulin/IGF system for the first time. METHODS: We chemically synthesized single chain (sc, IGF-1 like) and double chain (dc, insulin like) forms of MFRV and LCDV-Sa VILPs. Using cell lines overexpressing either human insulin receptor isoform A (IR-A), isoform B (IR-B) or IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R), and AML12 murine hepatocytes, we characterized receptor binding, insulin/IGF signaling. We further characterized the VILPs' effects of proliferation and IGF1R and IR gene expression, and compared them to native ligands. Additionally, we performed insulin tolerance test in CB57BL/6 J mice to examine in vivo effects of VILPs on blood glucose levels. Finally, we employed cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) to analyze the structure of scMFRV-VILP in complex with the IGF1R ectodomain. RESULTS: VILPs can bind to human IR and IGF1R, stimulate receptor autophosphorylation and downstream signaling pathways. Notably, scMFRV-VILP exhibited a particularly strong affinity for IGF1R, with a mere 10-fold decrease compared to human IGF-1. At high concentrations, scMFRV-VILP selectively reduced IGF-1 stimulated IGF1R autophosphorylation and Erk phosphorylation (Ras/MAPK pathway), while leaving Akt phosphorylation (PI3K/Akt pathway) unaffected, indicating a potential biased inhibitory function. Prolonged exposure to MFRV-VILP led to a significant decrease in IGF1R gene expression in IGF1R overexpressing cells and AML12 hepatocytes. Furthermore, insulin tolerance test revealed scMFRV-VILP's sustained glucose-lowering effect compared to insulin and IGF-1. Finally, cryo-EM analysis revealed that scMFRV-VILP engages with IGF1R in a manner closely resembling IGF-1 binding, resulting in a highly analogous structure. CONCLUSIONS: This study introduces MFRV and LCDV-Sa VILPs as novel members of the insulin/IGF superfamily. Particularly, scMFRV-VILP exhibits a biased inhibitory effect on IGF1R signaling at high concentrations, selectively inhibiting IGF-1 stimulated IGF1R autophosphorylation and Erk phosphorylation, without affecting Akt phosphorylation. In addition, MFRV-VILP specifically regulates IGF-1R gene expression and IGF1R protein levels without affecting IR. CryoEM analysis confirms that scMFRV-VILP' binding to IGF1R is mirroring the interaction pattern observed with IGF-1. These findings offer valuable insights into IGF1R action and inhibition, suggesting potential applications in development of IGF1R specific inhibitors and advancing long-lasting insulins.

LncRNA JHDM1D-AS1 promotes osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament cells by targeting miR-532-5p to activate IGF1R signaling.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism underlying periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) osteogenic differentiation. BACKGROUND: Periodontitis causes damage to tooth-supporting apparatus and eventually leads to tooth loss. PDLCs hold great promise in periodontal regeneration due to their osteogenic features. METHODS: The expression of osteogenic markers, lncRNA JHDM1D-AS1, miR-532-5p and IGF1R was examined. For osteogenic differentiation, primary human PDLCs (hPDLCs) were cultured in an osteogenic medium, and it was assessed by ALP activity and Alizarin Red staining. The interaction between JHDM1D-AS1, miR-532-5p and IGF1R was analyzed via dual luciferase, RIP and RNA pull-down assays. RESULTS: JHDM1D-AS1 was up-regulated during osteogenic differentiation and its silencing inhibited hPDLC osteogenic differentiation. JHDM1D-AS1 worked as a miR-532-5p sponge in hPDLCs. miR-532-5p directly targeted IGF1R to suppress its expression, and miR-532-5p knockdown facilitated osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs. Overexpression of IGF1R promoted osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs via activating Notch/HES1 signaling in hPDLCs. CONCLUSION: JHDM1D-AS1 promotes osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs via sponging miR-532-5p to facilitate IGF1R expression and activate Notch/HES1 signaling.

Insulin promotes growth in breast cancer cells through the type I IGF receptor in insulin receptor deficient cells.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. The upregulation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system observed in certain types of breast cancers was linked to growth, metastasis, and survival resulting in multiple strategies designed to target the type I IGF receptor (IGF-1R) in breast cancer. These attempts failed to prove beneficial and it has been suggested that insulin receptor (IR) could also play an important role in breast cancer biology. To better understand the IR's role in breast cancer cells, the receptor was deleted from MCF-7L cells using CRISPR technology, and fluorescence-assisted cell sorting was used to obtain clone 35 (CL35). It was found that CL35 activated signaling pathways upon insulin stimulation despite the absence of IR expression. We hypothesized that CL35 used a surrogate receptor for sustained growth and development. IGF-1R was able to activate insulin signaling and growth in CL35. Thus, insulin may play a central role in regulating breast cancer growth due to its ability to activate all the receptors of the IGF family. These findings argue that dual targeting of IR and IGF-IR may be required to inhibit breast cancer growth.

Rewiring of IGF1 secretion and enhanced IGF1R signaling induced by co-chaperone carboxyl-terminus of Hsp70 interacting protein in adipose-derived stem cells provide augmented cardioprotection in aging-hypertensive rats.

Aging-associated cardiovascular diseases depend on the longitudinal deterioration of stem cell dynamics. The entire mechanism behind it is not completely understood. However, many studies suggest that endocrine pathways, particularly the insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF1) signaling pathway are involved in cardioprotection, especially in stem-cell treatments. Here, we investigated the role of a co-chaperone, carboxyl-terminus of Hsp70 interacting protein (CHIP) in the aspects of growth factor secretion and receptor stabilization in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Briefly, we overexpressed CHIP in rat adipose-derived stem cells (rADSCs) and explored the consequences in vitro, and in vivo, in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Our data revealed that CHIP overexpression in rADSCs promoted the secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) as per immunoblot/cytokine array analysis. We also found that these results were dependent on the nuclear translocation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in rADSCs. Further, the CHIP co-chaperone was also involved in the stabilization of the receptor of IGF1 (IGF1R); interactions between the beta transmembrane region of IGF1R, and the tetracopeptide repeat (TPR) domain of CHIP were evident. Importantly, after the transplantation of lentiviral CHIP overexpression of rADSCs (rADSCsCHIP-WT) into nine months aging-SHR led to an increase in their cardiac function - increased ejection fraction and fractional shortening (≈15% vs. control SHR) - as well as a decrease in their heart size and heart rate, respectively. Altogether, our results support the use of CHIP overexpressing stem cells for the mitigation of cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling associated with late-stage hypertension.

IGFBPL1 inhibits macrophage lipid accumulation by enhancing the activation of IGR1R/LXRα/ABCG1 pathway.

Lipid accumulation in macrophages plays an important role in atherosclerosis and is the major cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Reducing lipid accumulation in macrophages is an effective therapeutic target for atherosclerosis. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) exerts the anti-atherosclerotic effects by inhibiting lipid accumulation in macrophages. Furthermore, almost all circulating IGF-1 combines with IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) to activate or inhibit the IGF signaling. However, the mechanism of IGFBPs in macrophage lipid accumulation is still unknown. GEO database analysis showed that among IGFBPS family members, IGFBPL1 has the largest expression change in unstable plaque. We found that IGFBPL1 was decreased in lipid-laden THP-1 macrophages. Through oil red O staining, NBD-cholesterol efflux, liver X receptor α (LXRα) transcription factor and IGR-1 receptor blocking experiments, our results showed that IGFBPL1 inhibits lipid accumulation in THP-1 macrophages through promoting ABCG1-meditated cholesterol efflux, and IGFBPL1 regulates ABCG1 expression and macrophage lipid metabolism through IGF-1R/LXRα pathway. Our results provide a theoretical basis of IGFBPL1 in the alternative or adjunct treatment options for atherosclerosis by reducing lipid accumulation in macrophages.

Insulin receptor Arg717 and IGF-1 receptor Arg704 play a key role in ligand binding and in receptor activation.

The insulin receptor (IR, with its isoforms IR-A and IR-B) and the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) are related tyrosine kinase receptors. Recently, the portfolio of solved hormone-receptor structures has grown extensively thanks to advancements in cryo-electron microscopy. However, the dynamics of how these receptors transition between their inactive and active state are yet to be fully understood. The C-terminal part of the alpha subunit (αCT) of the receptors is indispensable for the formation of the hormone-binding site. We mutated the αCT residues Arg717 and His710 of IR-A and Arg704 and His697 of IGF-1R. We then measured the saturation binding curves of ligands on the mutated receptors and their ability to become activated. Mutations of Arg704 and His697 to Ala in IGF-1R decreased the binding of IGF-1. Moreover, the number of binding sites for IGF-1 on the His697 IGF-1R mutant was reduced to one-half, demonstrating the presence of two binding sites. Both mutations of Arg717 and His710 to Ala in IR-A inactivated the receptor. We have proved that Arg717 is important for the binding of insulin to its receptor, which suggests that Arg717 is a key residue for the transition to the active conformation.