Korean J Androl.  2003 Apr;21(1):18-22.

Effects of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 on Proliferation of Human Corpus Cavernosal Smooth Muscle Cells

• Kim MK
• Park K
• Lee HS
• Ahn K
• Lee HC

Abstract

PURPOSE
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) promotes the proliferation and migration of penile cavernous smooth muscle cells in the rat. The goals of this study were to evaluate the expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in human corpus cavernosal smooth muscle cells (HCCSMCs) and to investigate the effect of IGF-1 on the proliferation of these cells in vitro.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The HCCSMCs were cultured from five impotent patients. The smooth muscle cells were identified by immunofluorescent stain. Total RNA was extracted, and IGF-1 gene expression was determined by RT-PCR. The IGF-1R immunoreactivity was examined by fluorescent Immunocytochemistry. Cell growth was assessed with a novel proliferation assay based on bioreduction of the fluorescent dye, Alamar blue.
RESULTS
Endogenous IGF-1 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR analysis. The HCCSMCs were positive for IGF-IR. The proliferation of HCCSMCs increased with the dose in response IGF-1 in the culture medium in concentrations up to 100 ng/ml.
CONCLUSIONS
Both IGF-1 and IGF-1R are expressed endogenously in human corpus cavernosal smooth muscle cells. IGF-1 promotes the proliferation of these cells in vitro.

Keyword

Corpus cavernosum smooth muscle; Insulin-like growth factor-1

MeSH Terms

Animals
Gene Expression
Humans*
Immunohistochemistry
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
Muscle, Smooth*
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle*
Rats
Receptor, IGF Type 1
RNA
RNA, Messenger
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
RNA
RNA, Messenger
Receptor, IGF Type 1