GDNF and bFGF are differentially involved in glial cell differentiation and neurite bundle formation in cultures from chick embryonic ciliary ganglia

Neuroreport. 2003 Dec 19;14(18):2343-7. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200312190-00011.

Abstract

We have shown that the neurotrophic factors glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) exert different effects on glial cells in cultures from chick embryo ciliary ganglia. bFGF acts as a mitogen on glial cells, and induces their aggregation to neuronal bodies; after 48 h of culture no glial cells could be observed along neurites. GDNF has no proliferative role; in contrast, it promotes the expression of the differentiative marker O4 and the association of glial cell bodies to neurites to form robust bundles.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chick Embryo
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / pharmacology*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / physiology
  • Ganglia / cytology*
  • Ganglia / drug effects
  • Ganglia / physiology
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Nerve Growth Factors / pharmacology*
  • Nerve Growth Factors / physiology
  • Neurites / drug effects
  • Neurites / physiology
  • Neuroglia / cytology*
  • Neuroglia / drug effects
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology

Substances

  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2