title: Partial characterization of a soluble mitogenic factor from medulloblastoma.
abstract: To determine how medulloblastoma cells might influence the proliferation and phenotype of normal stromal cells, normal human leptomeningeal cells were treated in culture with medulloblastoma-conditioned medium; their ability to incorporate tritiated thymidine and synthesize collagen was measured. The treated leptomeningeal cells had a significantly greater uptake of tritiated thymidine and grew faster than control leptomeningeal cells. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated a greater intensity of staining for procollagen type III in the cell layer of the treated cultures than in control cultures; diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose chromatography of the medium showed that the treated cells synthesized predominantly type III collagen, whereas control cells synthesized type I collagen. Analysis of the medulloblastoma-conditioned medium revealed that the soluble factor responsible for these effects in an acid- and heat-stable protein. The increased proliferation and altered collagen synthesis induced in leptomeningeal cell cultures by a soluble factor from a medulloblastoma are examples of how tumor and stromal elements interact, and may be related to the process of desmoplasia often observed in medulloblastomas in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Rutka
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Giblin
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Dougherty
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rosenblum
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003470:Culture Media; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008578:Meninges / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D006133:Growth Substances; D003094:Collagen