A role for platelet-derived growth factor in normal gliogenesis in the central nervous system.
The bipotential progenitor cells (O-2A progenitors) that produce oligodendrocytes and type-2 astrocytes in the developing rat optic nerve are induced to proliferate in culture by type-1 astrocytes. Here, we show that the astrocyte-derived mitogen is platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). PDGF is a potent mitogen for O-2A progenitor cells in vitro. Mitogenic activity in astrocyte-conditioned medium comigrates with PDGF on a size-exclusion column, competes with PDGF for receptors, and is neutralized by antibodies to PDGF. PDGF dimers can be immunoprecipitated from astrocyte-conditioned medium, and mRNA encoding PDGF is present in rat brain throughout gliogenesis. We propose that astrocyte-derived PDGF is crucial for the control of myelination in the developing central nervous system.
Richardson
W D
WD
Department of Biology, University College, London, England.
Pringle
N
N
Mosley
M J
MJ
Westermark
B
B
Dubois-Dalcq
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology*; D004261:DNA Replication; D005910:Glioma; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology*; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism
D000906:Antibodies; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor