Receptor-mediated attenuation of insulin-like growth factor-1 activity by galactose-1-phosphate in neonate skin fibroblast cultures: Galactosemia pathogenesis

Abstract

Background. The pathogenesis of classical galactosemia, a rare metabolic disorder associated with developmental complications in neonates and children due to inherited deficiency of galactose-1-phosphate (Gal-1-P) uridylyltransferase (GALT), is known to be mediated by elevated Gal-1-P levels and involves a cascade of cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and growth factors. Objectives. To examine ex vivo the effect of Gal-1-P on the mitogenic activity of different growth factors, particularly insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), known to regulate growth and development from the fetal stage to adulthood. Material and methods. Fibroblasts derived from the foreskin of 3-8-day-old healthy neonates were cultured for 1-14 days with 0-20 mM galactose or 0-10 mM Gal-1-P and then stimulated with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) or 50 ng/mL of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or fibroblast growth factor (FGF) or IGF-1 for 24 h. DNA synthesis was measured and protein expression of PDGFR, FGFR and IGF-1R was assessed with western blotting. Results. Supra-physiological concentrations of galactose significantly decreased FBS- and IGF-1-induced BrdU incorporation. The presence of Gal-1-P (5-10 mM) in culture medium for 7-14 days significantly (p < 0.01) decreased IGF-1-, PDGF- and FBS-stimulated DNA synthesis. While treatment with Gal-1-P selectively and significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the protein expression of IGF-1 receptor, galactose treatment did not have any marked effect on examined growth factor receptors. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that Gal-1-P impairs IGF-1 activity through IGF-1-receptor impairment, thereby providing a new insight into the molecular mechanisms of galactosemia pathogenesis.