Mitogenic effect of a human placental factor on astrocytes and glial precursors.
We have characterized and partially purified a new 'factor' present in human placenta which strongly stimulates the in vitro proliferation of two immunocytochemically characterized subtypes of astrocytes and of bipotential precursors of putative fibrous astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This 'factor' has an apparent Mr of 60-80 kD and exhibits physicochemical and chromatographic properties characteristic of polypeptides. Our observations suggest that placenta-derived growth factors (PDMF) control the proliferation of glial cells and glial precursors during fetal development.
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology*; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology; D010920:Placenta / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D006133:Growth Substances; D004247:DNA