Abstract
The potential influence of the human growth hormone (hGH) on the behavior of acute leukemias is a matter of controversy. We investigated primary childhood and adult leukemias (n=44) and leukemic cell lines (n=13) for the expression of the hGH receptor (hGHR) by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. All leukemias expressed the hGHR in the cytoplasm; expression on the surface was undetectable in some of the leukemias. In leukemic cell lines, hGHR expression on the surface was demonstrated in a dose-dependent manner after incubation with rhGH. Physiologic concentrations of hGH were more efficient than higher doses in increasing hGHR surface expression. A proliferative response to hGH was accomplished in cell lines REH, Molt4, and K562. However, only one of 19 primary leukemias (ALL, n=12; AML, n=7) showed increased cell counts after the addition of 50–800 ng/ml recombinant hGH (rhGH). These cells were of an immature T-cell phenotype. We thus conclude that acute leukemias can be stimulated by hGH to up-regulate its receptor, but that most primary leukemias may require additional signals for the induction of proliferation.
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Received: 2 February 1997 / Accepted: 6 May 1997
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Giesbert, S., Panzer, S., Kovar, H. et al. Acute leukemias express a functional receptor for the human growth hormone. Ann Hematol 74, 253–257 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002770050295
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002770050295