A subset of fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) promote survival, but Fgf-8b specifically promotes astroglial differentiation of rat cortical precursor cells.
Fibroblast growth factor-2 (Fgf-2 or basic Fgf) is known to promote the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of neural precursor cells. We have examined and compared the effects of Fgf-2 with those of Fgf-1, -4, -6, -7, -9, and -10, as well as three isoforms of Fgf-8 (-8a, -8b, and -8c), on the fate of cultured embryonic day 15 (E15) rat cortical cells. Clonal analysis, using retroviral tagging, shows that only Fgf-2, -4, and -8b can efficiently promote the survival of cortical precursor cells, the majority of which give rise to neurons. Surprisingly, and in contrast to other Fgfs, Fgf-8b also promotes astroglial differentiation of a subpopulation of these cells, which would otherwise appear to yield neurons. We also show that E15 cortical cells initially express the IIIc isoforms of Fgf-receptors (R-1,-2, and -3 but within 16 h of culturing they down regulate FgfR2-IIIc. These studies demonstrate that cortical precursor cells respond to Fgf stimulation in different ways depending on the ligand and by inference the Fgf receptors activated.
Hajihosseini
M K
MK
Laboratory of Viral Carcinogenesis, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London, United Kingdom. hajihoss@icrf.icnet.uk
Dickson
C
C
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D051524:Fibroblast Growth Factor 8; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects
C496457:Fgf8 protein, mouse; C496458:Fgf8 protein, rat; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1; D051524:Fibroblast Growth Factor 8; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors