Augmented Growth Hormone Secretion and Stat3 Phosphorylation in an Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Interacting Protein (AIP)-Disrupted Somatotroph Cell Line

PLoS One. 2016 Oct 5;11(10):e0164131. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164131. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) is thought to be a tumor suppressor gene, as indicated by a mutational analysis of pituitary somatotroph adenomas. However, the physiological significance of AIP inactivation in somatotroph cells remains unclear. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we identified a GH3 cell clone (termed GH3-FTY) in which Aip was genetically disrupted, and subsequently investigated its character with respect to growth hormone (Gh) synthesis and proliferation. Compared with GH3, GH3-FTY cells showed remarkably increased Gh production and a slight increase in cell proliferation. Gh-induced Stat3 phosphorylation is known to be a mechanism of Gh oversecretion in GH3. Interestingly, phosphorylated-Stat3 expression in GH3-FTY cells was increased more compared with GH3 cells, suggesting a stronger drive for this mechanism in GH3-FTY. The phenotypes of GH3-FTY concerning Gh overproduction, cell proliferation, and increased Stat3 phosphorylation were significantly reversed by the exogenous expression of Aip. GH3-FTY cells were less sensitive to somatostatin than GH3 cells in the suppression of cell proliferation, which might be associated with the reduced expression of somatostatin receptor type 2. GH3-FTY xenografts in BALB/c nude mice (GH3-FTY mice) formed more mitotic somatotroph tumors than GH3 xenografts (GH3 mice), as also evidenced by increased Ki67 scores. GH3-FTY mice were also much larger and had significantly higher plasma Gh levels than GH3 mice. Furthermore, GH3-FTY mice showed relative insulin resistance compared with GH3 mice. In conclusion, we established a somatotroph cell line, GH3-FTY, which possessed prominent Gh secretion and mitotic features associated with the disruption of Aip.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / pathology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Gene Silencing
  • Growth Hormone / metabolism*
  • Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / pathology*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Phosphorylation
  • Rats
  • Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Somatotrophs / cytology*
  • Somatotrophs / metabolism
  • Somatotrophs / transplantation
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein
  • Growth Hormone