Chloe Pass

Inflammatory cytokines and the GH/IGF-I axis: novel actions on bone growth.

Longitudinal bone growth is a tightly regulated process that relies on complex synchronized mechanisms at the growth plate. Chronic paediatric inflammatory diseases are well accepted to lead to growth retardation and this is likely due to raised inflammatory cytokine levels and reduced growth hormone (GH)/insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐I) signalling. The precise cellular mechanisms responsible for this inhibition are unclear and therefore in this article, we will review the potential interactions between inflammatory cytokines and the GH/IGF‐I axis in the regulation of bone growth. In particular, we will emphasis the potential contribution of the suppressors of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins, and in particular SOCS2, in mediating this process. Copyright

SOCS2 is the critical regulator of GH action in murine growth plate chondrogenesis

Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling‐2 (SOCS2) is a negative regulator of growth hormone (GH) signaling and bone growth via inhibition of the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway. This has been classically demonstrated by the overgrowth phenotype of SOCS2−/− mice, which has normal systemic insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) levels. The local effects of GH on bone growth are equivocal, and therefore this study aimed to understand better the SOCS2 signaling mechanisms mediating the local actions of GH on epiphyseal chondrocytes and bone growth. SOCS2, in contrast to SOCS1 and SOCS3 expression, was increased in cultured chondrocytes after GH challenge. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies indicated that GH‐stimulated chondrocyte STATs‐1, ‐3, and ‐5 phosphorylation was increased in SOCS2−/− chondrocytes but not in cells overexpressing SOCS2. This increased chondrocyte STAT signaling in the absence of SOCS2 is likely to explain the observed GH stimulation of longitudinal growth of cultured SOCS2−/− embryonic metatarsals and the proliferation of chondrocytes within. Consistent with this metatarsal data, bone growth rates, growth plate widths, and chondrocyte proliferation were all increased in SOCS2−/− 6‐week‐old mice as was the number of phosphorylated STAT‐5–positive hypertrophic chondrocytes. The SOCS2−/− mouse represents a valid model for studying the local effects of GH on bone growth.

Increased linear bone growth by GH in the absence of SOCS2 is independent of IGF-1.

Growth hormone (GH) signaling is essential for postnatal linear bone growth, but the relative importance of GHs actions on the liver and/or growth plate cartilage remains unclear. The importance of liver derived insulin like‐growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) for endochondral growth has recently been challenged. Here, we investigate linear growth in Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling‐2 (SOCS2) knockout mice, which have enhanced growth despite normal systemic GH/IGF‐1 levels. Wild‐type embryonic ex vivo metatarsals failed to exhibit increased linear growth in response to GH, but displayed increased Socs2 transcript levels (P < 0.01). In the absence of SOCS2, GH treatment enhanced metatarsal linear growth over a 12 day period. Despite this increase, IGF‐1 transcript and protein levels were not increased in response to GH. In accordance with these data, IGF‐1 levels were unchanged in GH‐challenged postnatal Socs2‐/‐ conditioned medium despite metatarsals showing enhanced linear growth. Growth‐plate Igf1 mRNA levels were not elevated in juvenile Socs2‐/‐ mice. GH did however elevate IGF‐binding protein 3 levels in conditioned medium from GH challenged metatarsals and this was more apparent in Socs2‐/‐ metatarsals. GH did not enhance the growth of Socs2‐/‐ metatarsals when the IGF receptor was inhibited, suggesting that IGF receptor mediated mechanisms are required. IGF‐2 may be responsible as IGF‐2 promoted metatarsal growth and Igf2 expression was elevated in Socs2‐/‐ (but not WT) metatarsals in response to GH. These studies emphasise the critical importance of SOCS2 in regulating GHs ability to promote bone growth. Also, GH appears to act directly on the metatarsals of Socs2‐/‐ mice, promoting growth via a mechanism that is independent of IGF‐1. J. Cell. Physiol. 9999: 2796–2806, 2015.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) deletion protects bone health of mice with DSS induced inflammatory bowel disease

ABSTRACT Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often present with poor bone health. The development of targeted therapies for this bone loss requires a fuller understanding of the underlying cellular mechanisms. Although bone loss in IBD is multifactorial, the altered sensitivity and secretion of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in IBD is understood to be a critical contributing mechanism. The expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2), a well-established negative regulator of GH signaling, is stimulated by proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, it is likely that SOCS2 expression represents a critical mediator through which proinflammatory cytokines inhibit GH/IGF-1 signaling and decrease bone quality in IBD. Using the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model of colitis, we reveal that endogenously elevated GH function in the Socs2−/− mouse protects the skeleton from osteopenia. Micro-computed tomography assessment of DSS-treated wild-type (WT) mice revealed a worsened trabecular architecture compared to control mice. Specifically, DSS-treated WT mice had significantly decreased bone volume, trabecular thickness and trabecular number, and a resulting increase in trabecular separation. In comparison, the trabecular bone of Socs2-deficient mice was partially protected from the adverse effects of DSS. The reduction in a number of parameters, including bone volume, was less, and no changes were observed in trabecular thickness or separation. This protected phenotype was unlikely to be a consequence of improved mucosal health in the DSS-treated Socs2−/− mice but rather a result of unregulated GH signaling directly on bone. These studies indicate that the absence of SOCS2 is protective against bone loss typical of IBD. This study also provides an improved understanding of the relative effects of GH/IGF-1 signaling on bone health in experimental colitis, information that is essential before these drugs are explored as bone protective agents in children and adults with IBD. Summary: Using a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease, this article provides an improved understanding of the relative effects of GH/IGF-1 on bone health in experimental colitis.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling-2 inhibition of STAT signaling in the growth plate

Multiple linear regression models are built to predict either the adult height or the age at first menstruation, for girls with an idiopathic central precocious puberty.

The potential inhibitory role of supressor of cytokine signalling-2 in chondrocyte GH/IGF-1 signalling via the JAK/STAT pathway

S FROM THE BRS MEETING Abstracts Presented at the Bone Research Society Meeting Manchester, UK 23-25 June 2008s Presented at the Bone Research Society Meeting Manchester, UK 23-25 June 2008