title: Heparin inhibits the growth of astrocytes in vitro.
abstract: Heparin at a concentration of 100 micrograms/ml, inhibits neonatal rat astrocyte proliferation by 45%, and [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA by 55% when they are stimulated with 2% fetal bovine serum (FBS) in culture. Higher serum concentrations up to 10% FBS decreased this inhibition to 20% and 29% respectively. Inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation by heparin is dose-dependent with maximal inhibition at 100 micrograms/ml, but 39% inhibition is still seen at 1 microgram/ml on stimulation by 5% FBS. Heparin or heparin-like molecules in the extracellular matrix of brain capillary walls may be important in the regulation of astrocyte growth in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D006493:Heparin