Basic fibroblast growth factor prevents cAMP-induced apoptosis in cultured Schwann cells.
Peripheral nerve axotomy induces apoptosis in Schwann cell precursors; basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) protects these cells from axotomy-induced apoptosis (Jessen et al.: Neuron 12:509-527, 1994; Gavrilovic et al.: Eur J Neurosci 7:7-85, 1995). In this study, we investigate the effects of bFGF on apoptosis in neuron-free cultures of neonatal rat Schwann cells. Apoptotic cell death was induced in primary and secondary expanded Schwann cells by treatment with 1 mM concentrations of 8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-bromo-cAMP), a membrane-permeable analogue of cAMP which induces expression of galactocerebroside in the plasma membranes of Schwann cells. Treatment with bFGF reduced the percentage of galactocerebroside-bearing Schwann cells undergoing cAMP-induced DNA fragmentation. These findings suggest that bFGF can enhance the survival of terminally differentiated Schwann cells by preventing apoptosis.
Shaw
R
R
Rutgers, State University, Camden, NJ 08102, USA.
Cianchetti
R
R
Pleasure
D
D
Kreider
B
B
D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001710:Biotin; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D051381:Rats; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000187:drug effects*
D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; D001710:Biotin; D000242:Cyclic AMP