Collagen type IV promotes the differentiation of neuronal progenitors and inhibits astroglial differentiation in cortical cell cultures.
In an effort to elucidate the interactions between cells in the developing cortex and their microenvironment, we have employed dissociated cell cultures and immunocytochemistry to analyze the effect of collagen type IV (COL) on the proliferation and differentiation of rat cortical progenitor cells during the period of corticogenesis. COL, present in the proliferative zones throughout the period of neurogenesis, belongs to a group of macromolecular proteins that make up a considerable portion of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We have shown that this ECM molecule inhibits cell proliferation and glial cell differentiation while promoting neuronal differentiation. We have also demonstrated that COL, when applied to the cultures with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), induces glial cell differentiation while continuing to promote neuronal differentiation. These results indicate that cortical progenitor cells respond differentially to local environmental signals, and that components of the ECM are involved in the regulation of corticogenesis.
Ali
S A
SA
Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
Pappas
I S
IS
Parnavelas
J G
JG
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology; D005333:Fetus; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D064231:Nestin; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C577486:Nes protein, rat; D064231:Nestin; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D003094:Collagen