Cerebral endothelial cell-derived laminin promotes the outgrowth of neurites in CNS neuronal cultures.
The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether the endothelial cells, besides providing the structural basis for the blood-brain barrier (M. Bradbury, Concept for a Blood-Brain Barrier, 1979; F. Joó, Nature 321, 197-198, 1986) can also produce laminin and, via its regulate the growth of neurites of neurons originating from the central nervous system (CNS). In immunohistochemical investigations, the presence of laminin-like immunoreactivity could be detected in the cytoplasm and on the surface of endothelial cells derived from brain microvessels. Further, the neurite-promoting effect of laminin on CNS neurons was also noted in a co-culture system designed especially for conditioning nerve cell cultures continuously with materials released from the cerebral endothelial cells. It is suggested that the endothelial cells may be involved via their laminin secretion in the regulation of axonal growth and guidance in the CNS.
Pákáski
M
M
Central Research Laboratory, Medical University, Somogyi, Hungary.
Kása
P
P
Joó
F
F
Wolff
J R
JR
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D007797:Laminin