Specific effects of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) on fetal rat and human dopaminergic neurons in vitro.
The neurotrophic effects of the BB isoform of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on rat and human fetal mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons have been characterized in vitro. A dose-response analysis demonstrated maximal responses at 30 ng/ml of PDGF-BB. This concentration resulted in a marked increase in the survival and neurite outgrowth from rat and human tyrosine hydroxylase-(TH) positive, presumed dopaminergic neurons after 7 days in vitro. The effects of PDGF-BB on survival of TH-positive neurons were comparable to those of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), whereas neurite outgrowth was more pronounced after addition of BDNF. The combination of BDNF and PDGF-BB yielded no additive effects. Double immunohistochemical staining of rat cultures demonstrated PDGF beta-receptors on about 90% of the TH-positive neurons. PDGF-BB treatment of rat mesencephalic cultures induced an upregulation of c-fos and TH mRNA with maximal levels after 0.5-2 h as assessed by quantitative PCR analysis. An increased number of Fos protein-positive cells was detected immunohistochemically after 4 h of PDGF-BB treatment. The present results provide further evidence for specific and direct effects of PDGF-BB on gene expression, survival and neurite outgrowth of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons of rat and human origin.
Othberg
A
A
Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Odin
P
P
Ballagi
A
A
Ahgren
A
A
Funa
K
K
Lindvall
O
O
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D004298:Dopamine