Co-expression of MAP-2 and GFAP in cells developing from rat EGF responsive precursor cells.
In this study we have performed a detailed analysis of EGF-responsive precursors as they develop into neurons and astrocytes using antibodies to nestin, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2c and MAP-2ab) and glial fibriallary acidic protein (GFAP). Surprisingly, at early time points, most GFAP-positive cells also stained for MAP-2c, and we postulate that this may be a normal stage of astroglial development. At 7 days most of the cells had developed into astrocytes and MAP-2ab-positive cells only represented 5% of the total neuronal population. This study shows that (i) MAP-2c is a marker for early precursors, (ii) the majority of cells developing from. EGF-responsive precursors develop into glia and (iii) only a small population of cells arising from expanded populations of EGF-responsive precursors develop into neurons expressing MAP-2ab. Thus, certain critical signals important for full neuronal differentiation may be missing from this system.
Rosser
A E
AE
MRC Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Cambridge University Forvie Site, UK. aer23@hermes.cam.ac.uk
Tyers
P
P
ter Borg
M
M
Dunnett
S B
SB
Svendsen
C N
CN
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor