The observation that neuroendocrine peptide hormones are produced by lymphocytes and that cells of the immune system have specific receptors for neuroendocrine hormones now provides a molecualr basis for the interactions between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Our results detecting the production of immunoreactive growth hormone (irGH) from lymphocytes is yet another instance in which the immune system is shown to produce a hormone commonly found in the neuroendocrine system. Growth hormone is of particular interest since it is the hormonal link between somatic development and its regulation by the central nervous system. The ultimate goal of this project is to determine the biological significance of lymphocyte-derived GH. The early focus in these studies will be to determine the structure of GH by comparing the differences or similarities of GH mRNA in lymphocytes versus pituitary cells. We will also determine the structure and biological activity of lymphocyte-derived GH and compare the similarities to pituitary GH. We plan to study the factors that stimulate or inhibit the production of lymphocyte-derived GH and determine the phenotype(s) of the GH producer cells. One of the primary factors which will be studied is growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and its lymphocyte receptor. Finally, we are proposing to study the immunoregulatory role of lymphocyte- derived GH in vitro and its endocrinologic action in vivo. We expect the results of these studies will increase our understanding of immunophysiology and establish the role of GH in the commonality between the neuroendocrine and immune systems.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS024636-02
Application #
3409402
Study Section
Neurology C Study Section (NEUC)
Project Start
1988-02-01
Project End
1991-01-31
Budget Start
1989-02-01
Budget End
1990-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama Birmingham
Department
Type
School of Medicine & Dentistry
DUNS #
004514360
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35294
Weigent, Douglas A (2013) Expression of lymphocyte-derived growth hormone (GH) and GH-releasing hormone receptors in aging rats. Cell Immunol 282:71-8
Arnold, Robyn E; Weigent, Douglas A (2003) The production of nitric oxide in EL4 lymphoma cells overexpressing growth hormone. J Neuroimmunol 134:82-94
Arnold, Robyn E; Weigent, Douglas A (2003) The inhibition of superoxide production in EL4 lymphoma cells overexpressing growth hormone. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 25:159-77
Weigent, D A; Vines, C R; Long, J C et al. (2000) Characterization of the promoter-directing expression of growth hormone in a monocyte cell line. Neuroimmunomodulation 7:126-34
Vines, C R; Weigent, D A (2000) Identification of SP3 as a negative regulatory transcription factor in the monocyte expression of growth hormone. Endocrinology 141:938-46
Weigent, D A (1996) Immunoregulatory properties of growth hormone and prolactin. Pharmacol Ther 69:237-57
Rohn, W M; Weigent, D A (1995) Cloning and nucleotide sequencing of rat lymphocyte growth hormone cDNA. Neuroimmunomodulation 2:108-14
Weigent, D A; Blalock, J E (1995) Associations between the neuroendocrine and immune systems. J Leukoc Biol 58:137-50
Payne, L C; Weigent, D A; Blalock, J E (1994) Induction of pituitary sensitivity to interleukin-1: a new function for corticotropin-releasing hormone. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 198:480-4
Law, V; Payne, L C; Weigent, D A (1994) Effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on lymphocyte POMC and growth hormone gene expression in the rat. J Neuroimmunol 49:35-44

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