title: Leptomeningeal cells modulate the neurite growth promoting properties of astrocytes in vitro.
abstract: Leptomeningeal cells migrate into the lesion cavity after stab wounds to the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and interact with astrocytes that form a new glia limitans. However, it is not known if leptomeningeal cells alter the ability of astrocytes near the lesion to support axon growth. In this study, we have used an in vitro approach to assess leptomeningeal cell-astrocyte interactions in a model that resembles the interactions of these cells in vivo. We cultured rat cortical astrocytes on top of monolayers of leptomeningeal cells or astrocytes. Differences in the morphology, neurite growth promoting properties, and expression of various extracellular matrix molecules and beta 1-integrin were assessed. Astrocytes acquired a long slender morphology when plated on leptomeningeal cells. Functionally, astrocytes cultured on top of leptomeningeal monolayers supported less neurite growth. Similar results were also obtained when astrocyte monolayers were treated with leptomeningeal cell-conditioned medium. Quantitative immunofluorescence labeling showed a reduction in cell surface bound laminin on astrocytes plated on leptomeningeal monolayers. Qualitative assessment of the immunofluorescence labeling showed an increase in matrix-like deposits of tenascin-C and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan under similar culture conditions. This study provides the first direct evidence that leptomeningeal cells reduce the neurite growth promoting properties of astrocytes. These results suggest that interactions with leptomeningeal cells may 1) induce the formation of the slender astrocyte processes that form parallel to the lesion wall after penetrating injuries to the CNS; and 2) contribute along with other factors to alter astrocytes near the site of injury to a state that is less permissive for axon growth and regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Montreal General Hospital Research Institute, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ness
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: David
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002452:Cell Count; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D048429:Cell Size; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D019012:Integrin beta1 / Q000032:analysis; D007797:Laminin / Q000032:analysis; D008578:Meninges / Q000166:cytology*; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019063:Tenascin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D019012:Integrin beta1; D007797:Laminin; D019063:Tenascin