Beta-amyloid stimulates glial cells in vitro to produce growth factors that accumulate in senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease.
The effects of a synthetic homolog of beta-amyloid (beta 1-42) on the secretion of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) from cultures of microglia and astrocytes, cells that surround beta-amyloid-containing plaques in Alzheimer's disease, were examined. Our results show that beta-amyloid not only enhances glial cell secretion of these factors, it stimulates the proliferation and morphological transformation of microglia. Since IL-1 and bFGF are known to elevate the synthesis of the beta-amyloid precursor protein and other plaque components, it is suggested that in this way, cascades may arise that contribute to the process of plaque development.
Araujo
D M
DM
Department of Psychobiology, University of California, Irvine 92717.
Cotman
C W
CW
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D007375:Interleukin-1; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C075222:amyloid beta-protein (1-42); D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2