First Author | Yakar S | Year | 1999 |
Journal | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A | Volume | 96 |
Issue | 13 | Pages | 7324-9 |
PubMed ID | 10377413 | Mgi Jnum | J:69517 |
Mgi Id | MGI:1934764 | Doi | 10.1073/pnas.96.13.7324 |
Citation | Yakar S, et al. (1999) Normal growth and development in the absence of hepatic insulin-like growth factor I. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 96(13):7324-9 |
abstractText | The somatomedin hypothesis proposed that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) was a hepatically derived circulating mediator of growth hormone and is a crucial factor for postnatal growth and development. To reassess this hypothesis, we have used the Cre/loxP recombination system to delete the igf1 gene exclusively in the liver. igf1 gene deletion in the liver abrogated expression of igf1 mRNA and caused a dramatic reduction in circulating IGF-I levels. However, growth as determined by body weight, body length, and femoral length did not differ from wild-type littermates. Although our model proves that hepatic IGF-I is indeed the major contributor to circulating IGF-I levels in mice it challenges the concept that circulating IGF-I is crucial for normal postnatal growth. Rather, our model provides direct evidence for the importance of the autocrine/paracrine role of IGF-I. |