Stimulatory effect of growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH(1-29)NH2) on the proliferation, VEGF and chromogranin A secretion by human neuroendocrine tumor cell line NCI-H727 in vitro

Growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH) and its receptors have been implicated in a variety of cellular processes like cell survival, proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and neoplastic transformation of various non-pituitary tissues. Here, we investigated for the first time the in vitro effect of GHRH(1-29)NH2 on the proliferation and the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and chromogranin A by the human bronchial neuroendocrine tumor cells NCI-H727. GHRH(1-29)NH2 at the concentrations of 10−8–10−6 M increased the proliferation of these cells and this effect was associated with a statistically significant increase in VEGF and chromogranin A secretion into the supernatants of the tested cells. Our findings indicate that GHRH functions as a trophic hormone for bronchial neuroendocrine (NET) tumors.