GH Human, HEK

Human Growth Hormone (hGH), also known as somatotropin, is a glycoprotein secreted by the pituitary gland. It plays a crucial role in human growth and development by stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which in turn promotes bone density, muscle mass, and overall growth .

The history of hGH dates back to the 1920s when scientists first identified its role in growth. Initially, hGH was extracted from the pituitary glands of cadavers, a process that continued for over two decades. However, this method posed significant risks, including contamination with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a fatal brain disorder . In 1985, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration halted the distribution of cadaver-derived hGH due to these risks .

The advent of recombinant DNA technology revolutionized the production of hGH. Biotechnology companies like Genentech and Eli Lilly developed methods to produce hGH using genetically modified bacteria, eliminating the need for cadaver-derived hormone . This recombinant hGH is produced by inserting the human growth hormone gene into bacterial or mammalian cells, which then express the hormone.

Human recombinant growth hormone can also be produced using Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) cells, specifically the HEK293 cell line. These cells were created by transforming human embryonic kidney cells with adenovirus type 5 DNA, which immortalized them . HEK293 cells are widely used in biotechnology for their ability to produce high yields of recombinant proteins, including hGH .

Recombinant hGH has numerous clinical applications. It is used to treat growth hormone deficiencies in children and adults, Turner syndrome, chronic kidney disease, and muscle wasting diseases . Additionally, it has been used off-label for its anabolic effects, although this practice is controversial and regulated.