The activation and differential signalling of the growth hormone receptor induced by pGH or anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies in primary rat hepatocytes.

•The mechanism of action of GH anti-idiotypic antibodies is partially revealed.•Monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies represent an effective way to produce GH mimics.•Anti-idiotypic antibodies, CG-8F, activated similar but not identical signal transduction pathways.•It is possible to produce signal-specific GHR agonists using an anti-idiotypic antibody approach.