The hematopoietic factor GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) promotes neuronal differentiation of adult neural stem cells in vitro.
BACKGROUND
Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a hematopoietic growth factor involved in the generation of granulocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells from hematopoietic progenitor cells. We have recently demonstrated that GM-CSF has anti-apoptotic functions on neurons, and is neuroprotective in animal stroke models.


RESULTS
The GM-CSF receptor alpha is expressed on adult neural stem cells in the rodent brain, and in culture. Addition of GM-CSF to NSCs in vitro increased neuronal differentiation in a dose-dependent manner as determined by quantitative PCR, reporter gene assays, and FACS analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Similar to the hematopoietic factor Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), GM-CSF stimulates neuronal differentiation of adult NSCs. These data highlight the astonishingly similar functions of major hematopoietic factors in the brain, and raise the clinical attractiveness of GM-CSF as a novel drug for neurological disorders.
Krüger
Carola
C
Sygnis Bioscience, Im Neuenheimer Feld 515, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Krueger@sygnis.de
Laage
Rico
R
Pitzer
Claudia
C
Schäbitz
Wolf-Rüdiger
WR
Schneider
Armin
A
D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor