title: Type-2 astrocyte development in rat brain cultures is initiated by a CNTF-like protein produced by type-1 astrocytes.
abstract: O-2A progenitor cells are bipotential glial precursors that give rise to both oligodendrocytes and type-2 astrocytes on a precise schedule in the rat CNS. Studies in culture suggest that oligodendrocyte differentiation occurs constitutively, while type-2 astrocyte differentiation requires an exogenous inducer such as fetal calf serum. Here we describe a rat brain cell culture system in which type-2 astrocytes develop on schedule in the absence of exogenous inducers. Coincident with type-2-astrocyte development, the cultures produce an approximately 20 kd type-2-astrocyte-inducing factor(s). Purified cultures of type-1 astrocytes can produce a similar factor(s). Under conditions where they produce type-2-astrocyte-inducing factor(s), both brain and type-1 astrocyte cultures produce a factor(s) with ciliary neurotrophic (CNTF)-like activity. Purified CNTF, like the inducers from brain and type-1 astrocyte cultures, prematurely induces type-2 astrocyte differentiation in brain cultures. These findings suggest that type-2 astrocyte development is initiated by a CNTF-like protein produced by type-1 astrocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University College London.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Lillien
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sendtner
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rohrer
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Raff
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020934:Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D020934:Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins