Both nerve growth factor and high K+ concentrations support the survival of chick embryo sympathetic neurons. Evidence for a common mechanism of action.
Neurons were dissociated from the sympathetic ganglia of embryonic chicks, and cultured in the absence of non-neuronal cells. Both nerve growth factor (NGF) and high concentrations of extracellular K+ supported neuronal survival, and these effects were independent of the presence of serum in the culture medium. Only 60% of the neurons survived in response to 35 mM K+, and survival was not increased when both NGF and K+ were present together. It was, however, possible to maintain essentially all the neurons in culture with either NGF or high K+ concentrations if the culture substrate had been pretreated with heart cell-conditioned medium (which did not itself support neuronal survival). These observations are consistent with a common mechanism of action of both K+ and NGF for the survival of cultured embryonic neurons.
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003470:Culture Media; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology*
D003470:Culture Media; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011188:Potassium