Epidermal growth factor stimulates DNA-synthesis of astrocytes in primary cerebellar cultures.
The capability of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to stimulate DNA-synthesis in neural cells was investigated in primary cultures of early postnatal mouse cerebellum. At concentrations of 10(-8)M, EGF stimulates DNA synthesis in astrocytes, which were identified immunocytologically by the cell type-specific marker, glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein. Astrocytes express cell-surface receptors for EGF as can be shown by binding of [125 I]-labeled EGF to live monolayer cultures. In the presence of 10% horse serum, EGF stimulates DNA-synthesis by a factor of about two-fold. Stimulation by EGF over control values is approximately 4-fold in the presence of 1% serum and 6-to 10-fold in the absence of serum. Absolute numbers of astrocytes are increased after more prolonged action of EGF. DNA-synthesis in neurons or oligodendroglia is not significantly stimulated by EGF. EGF enhances cell survival of serum-deprived cerebellar cultures. Fibroblast growth factor does not increase DNA-synthesis in astrocytes under the conditions used in this study.
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D001769:Blood; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology*; D003470:Culture Media; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis
D003470:Culture Media; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D004247:DNA; D066246:ErbB Receptors