Biomarkers of GH deficiency identified in untreated and GH-treated Pit-1 mutant mice

BackgroundGrowth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) is marked by insufficient growth hormone (GH) production, leading to disruptions in growth and metabolism. Its diagnosis is challenging due to the lack of sensitive, specific tests. To address this, we used a novel mouse model with a POU1F1 (Pit-1) gene muta...

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Main Authors: Sarmed Al-Samerria, Huiting Xu, M. Elena Diaz-Rubio, Joseph Phelan, Chi Su, Keer Ma, Anna Newen, Kiana Li, Sayaka Yamada, Ariel L. Negron, Fredric Wondisford, Sally Radovick
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1539797/full
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author Sarmed Al-Samerria
Huiting Xu
M. Elena Diaz-Rubio
Joseph Phelan
Chi Su
Keer Ma
Anna Newen
Kiana Li
Sayaka Yamada
Ariel L. Negron
Fredric Wondisford
Sally Radovick
author_facet Sarmed Al-Samerria
Huiting Xu
M. Elena Diaz-Rubio
Joseph Phelan
Chi Su
Keer Ma
Anna Newen
Kiana Li
Sayaka Yamada
Ariel L. Negron
Fredric Wondisford
Sally Radovick
author_sort Sarmed Al-Samerria
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundGrowth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) is marked by insufficient growth hormone (GH) production, leading to disruptions in growth and metabolism. Its diagnosis is challenging due to the lack of sensitive, specific tests. To address this, we used a novel mouse model with a POU1F1 (Pit-1) gene mutation (K216E). This study aimed to identify metabolic biomarkers of GHD and assess their responsiveness to GH therapy, alongside pathway analysis to uncover disrupted metabolic pathways.MethodsThe Pit-1^K216E mouse model was validated for GHD through assessments of GH production, growth, and body composition. Metabolomic profiling was conducted to identify biomarkers, while pathway analysis examined disrupted metabolic pathways and their response to GH treatment. This approach aimed to improve understanding of GHD’s metabolic impact and potential therapeutic strategies.ResultsThe assessment of the Pit-1^K216E mouse confirmed GHD, as evidenced by reduced GH production and altered body composition. Metabolomic profiling identified three distinct biomarker groups associated with GHD: (1) GHD Biomarkers, found exclusively in GH-deficient mutant mice but absent in WT controls; (2) GH Treatment Responsive Biomarkers, which were altered in GH-deficient mutant mice (GHD) and further modulated following GH treatment, reflecting a response specific to the GHD condition and its treatment, but not observed in WT mice; and (3) GH Treatment-Specific Responsive Biomarkers, observed exclusively in the GHD condition after GH therapy. Pathway analysis revealed significant disruptions in purine metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and protein synthesis, with notable sex-specific differences. Male mice exhibited imbalances in taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, while female mice showed disruptions in tyrosine metabolism and mitochondrial function, highlighting sex-dependent metabolic responses to GHD and GH therapy.ConclusionThe Pit-1^K216E mouse model offers a robust platform for exploring GHD’s molecular mechanisms. The identification of distinct, sex-specific metabolic biomarkers provides insights into GHD-related metabolic disruptions and supports personalized management strategies. These findings establish a framework for leveraging metabolic biomarkers to enhance the diagnosis and monitoring of GHD, with promising applications for future human studies and therapeutic strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-22084bab65634c168f5f5eb03e6f79dc2025-08-20T04:01:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-04-011610.3389/fendo.2025.15397971539797Biomarkers of GH deficiency identified in untreated and GH-treated Pit-1 mutant miceSarmed Al-Samerria0Huiting Xu1M. Elena Diaz-Rubio2Joseph Phelan3Chi Su4Keer Ma5Anna Newen6Kiana Li7Sayaka Yamada8Ariel L. Negron9Fredric Wondisford10Sally Radovick11Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, United StatesDepartment of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United StatesRutgers Cancer Institute, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United StatesDepartment of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United StatesDepartment of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United StatesDepartment of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United StatesDepartment of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United StatesDepartment of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United StatesDepartment of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, United StatesDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, United StatesDepartment of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, United StatesDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, United StatesBackgroundGrowth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) is marked by insufficient growth hormone (GH) production, leading to disruptions in growth and metabolism. Its diagnosis is challenging due to the lack of sensitive, specific tests. To address this, we used a novel mouse model with a POU1F1 (Pit-1) gene mutation (K216E). This study aimed to identify metabolic biomarkers of GHD and assess their responsiveness to GH therapy, alongside pathway analysis to uncover disrupted metabolic pathways.MethodsThe Pit-1^K216E mouse model was validated for GHD through assessments of GH production, growth, and body composition. Metabolomic profiling was conducted to identify biomarkers, while pathway analysis examined disrupted metabolic pathways and their response to GH treatment. This approach aimed to improve understanding of GHD’s metabolic impact and potential therapeutic strategies.ResultsThe assessment of the Pit-1^K216E mouse confirmed GHD, as evidenced by reduced GH production and altered body composition. Metabolomic profiling identified three distinct biomarker groups associated with GHD: (1) GHD Biomarkers, found exclusively in GH-deficient mutant mice but absent in WT controls; (2) GH Treatment Responsive Biomarkers, which were altered in GH-deficient mutant mice (GHD) and further modulated following GH treatment, reflecting a response specific to the GHD condition and its treatment, but not observed in WT mice; and (3) GH Treatment-Specific Responsive Biomarkers, observed exclusively in the GHD condition after GH therapy. Pathway analysis revealed significant disruptions in purine metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and protein synthesis, with notable sex-specific differences. Male mice exhibited imbalances in taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, while female mice showed disruptions in tyrosine metabolism and mitochondrial function, highlighting sex-dependent metabolic responses to GHD and GH therapy.ConclusionThe Pit-1^K216E mouse model offers a robust platform for exploring GHD’s molecular mechanisms. The identification of distinct, sex-specific metabolic biomarkers provides insights into GHD-related metabolic disruptions and supports personalized management strategies. These findings establish a framework for leveraging metabolic biomarkers to enhance the diagnosis and monitoring of GHD, with promising applications for future human studies and therapeutic strategies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1539797/fullgrowth hormone deficiency (GHD)biomarkersPIT-1 mutationmetabolomicsGH treatmentenergy metabolism
spellingShingle Sarmed Al-Samerria
Huiting Xu
M. Elena Diaz-Rubio
Joseph Phelan
Chi Su
Keer Ma
Anna Newen
Kiana Li
Sayaka Yamada
Ariel L. Negron
Fredric Wondisford
Sally Radovick
Biomarkers of GH deficiency identified in untreated and GH-treated Pit-1 mutant mice
Frontiers in Endocrinology
growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
biomarkers
PIT-1 mutation
metabolomics
GH treatment
energy metabolism
title Biomarkers of GH deficiency identified in untreated and GH-treated Pit-1 mutant mice
title_full Biomarkers of GH deficiency identified in untreated and GH-treated Pit-1 mutant mice
title_fullStr Biomarkers of GH deficiency identified in untreated and GH-treated Pit-1 mutant mice
title_full_unstemmed Biomarkers of GH deficiency identified in untreated and GH-treated Pit-1 mutant mice
title_short Biomarkers of GH deficiency identified in untreated and GH-treated Pit-1 mutant mice
title_sort biomarkers of gh deficiency identified in untreated and gh treated pit 1 mutant mice
topic growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
biomarkers
PIT-1 mutation
metabolomics
GH treatment
energy metabolism
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1539797/full
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