title: Analysis of the cell-cell interactions that control type-2 astrocyte development in vitro.
abstract: Oligodendrocytes and type-2 astrocytes develop sequentially from O-2A progenitor cells in the rat CNS. We have reproduced this sequential development in a simplified, serum-free in vitro system: in cultures of newborn optic nerve cells treated with platelet-derived growth factor to maintain O-2A progenitor cell proliferation, progenitor cells differentiate into oligodendrocytes during the first week in vitro and into type-2 astrocytes during the second week. Thus all of the signals needed for type-2 astrocyte development are made by serum-free optic nerve cultures, indicating that neurons are not required. By manipulating the cellular composition of the cultures, we provide evidence that type-2 astrocyte development does not depend on oligodendrocytes, but instead requires non-O-2A lineage cells, which are also responsible for timing this development.
authors.affiliation: MRC Developmental Neurobiology Programme, Department of Biology, University College London, England.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Lillien
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Raff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D002450:Cell Communication; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003470:Culture Media; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000166:cytology; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003470:Culture Media; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors