Chromaffin cell mitogenesis by neurturin and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor.

Neurturin and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor are novel mitogens for normal adult rat chromaffin cells in vitro. These neurotrophic factors differ from the previously described adult chromaffin cell mitogens, nerve growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor, in that their effects are potentiated by depolarization and activation of protein kinase C. Neurturin and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor signal via the receptor tyrosine kinase, ret, but may also act independently of ret. Both depolarization and phorbol esters act synergistically with neurturin to up-regulate ret protein expression in chromaffin cell cultures, suggesting a mechanism for potentiation of mitogenesis. However, a direct role for ret in mitogenesis has not been established. Stimulation by neurturin causes increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 in cultured chromaffin cells, and mitogenesis is prevented by inhibitors of their phosphorylation. Inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase also prevent mitogenesis.The present findings suggest the hypothesis that neurotrophic factors and neurally derived signals might cooperatively regulate chromaffin cell proliferation in vivo in the rat. In addition, trans-synaptic stimulation might provide a route by which epigenetic factors could influence the development of adrenal medullary hyperplasia in humans with hereditary multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes 2A and 2B by affecting expression and/or activation of ret.     

转染胶质细胞源性神经营养因子诱导神经干细胞分化

背景：神经干细胞为神经系统功能重建和神经再生提供了一条新的途径,解决其定向诱导分化问题仍是目前的研究热点。 目的：探讨转染胶质细胞源性神经营养因子基因诱导大鼠胚胎神经干细胞向神经元和多巴胺能神经元分化的作用。 方法：构建PcDNA3-GDNF-GFP表达质粒,用脂质体介导该质粒转染大鼠胚胎神经干细胞并进行诱导分化,荧光显微镜观察转染情况,免疫荧光染色检测β微管蛋白Ⅲ和酪氨酸羟化酶表达。 结果与结论：胶质细胞源性神经营养因子基因转染后3 d,可观察到细胞呈绿色荧光细胞球状。诱导分化7 d,神经干细胞分化为神经元以及多巴胺神经元的比例明显增高。结果表明胶质细胞源性神经营养因子基因可以促进神经干细胞向神经元以及多巴胺能神经元分化。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程     

Regulation of neural development by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family ligands

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its three relatives constitute a novel family of neurotrophic factors, the GDNF family ligands. These factors signal through a multicomponent receptor complex comprising a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored cell surface molecule (GDNF family receptor (GFR) alpha) and RET tyrosine kinase, triggering the activation of multiple signaling pathways in responsive cells. Recent gene-targeting studies have demonstrated that GDNF family ligands are essential for the development of a diverse set of neuronal populations and we have now started to understand how these ligands uniquely regulate the formation and sculpting of the nervous system. Recent studies have also revealed interactions by multiple extracellular signals during neural development. The deciphering of GDNF family ligand signaling in neural cells promises to provide vital new insights into the development and pathology of the nervous system.     

Barrier function of microvessels and roles of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the rat testis

The expression and localization of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptor GFR alpha1 in the testis were examined, because the blood-testis barrier is a well-known tissue barrier and we previously reported that GDNF reduced the endothelial permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Five minutes after intravenous injection of Evans blue (molecular weight, 960.6) or fluorescent dextran (molecular weight 10000 and 70000), Evans blue was observed outside microvessels of the testis, whereas the fluorescent dextran was not. Immunohistochemically, GDNF was detected in alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells around the seminiferous tubules and in microvessels. On the other hand, GFR alpha1 was detected in endothelial cells in the interstitial space, as well as in spermatocytes. Although occludin was positive in Sertoli cells and endothelium, claudin-5 was localized only in the endothelium of the microvessels. Thus, it became very clear that the microvessels in the testis possessed relatively impermeable tight junctions, and that the alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells secreted GDNF, which receptor was expressed in endothelial cells. Because this relation between GDNF and GFR alpha1 is similar to that observed in the BBB, we hypothesize that GDNF is a general regulator of tight junctions of the endothelium forming a blood-tissue barrier in a paracrine fashion.     

胶质细胞源性神经营养因子基因修饰后间充质干细胞的生长与分化

背景：近年来,研究表明外源性神经营养因子或化学诱导剂可诱导大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向神经样细胞分化,但外源性诱导剂诱导作用短暂且化学性物质不可避免的对细胞活力造成负面影响,一定程度上限制了骨髓间充质干细胞的基础研究与临床应用空间。 目的：以载胶质细胞源性神经营养因子和绿色荧光蛋白基因重组腺病毒(Ad-rGDNF-GFP)转染大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,观察目的基因在靶细胞内的表达、对细胞的营养作用及对骨髓间充质干细胞向神经样细胞分化的影响。 方法：转染组中以Ad-rGDNF-GFP转染骨髓间充质干细胞,感染复数分别为10,50,80,100,150,200;对照组加入等量的培养液作为对照。转染后12 h,倒置荧光显微镜观察2组中绿色荧光蛋白的表达情况;转染后72 h,流式细胞仪测定转染组中转染效率;MTT法测定2组中细胞活力;转染后5,10 d,PCR检测转染组中胶质细胞源性神经营养因子mRNA的表达;转染后5 d免疫荧光鉴定2组中神经元烯醇化酶的表达情况,转染后10 d鉴定微管相关蛋白2的表达。 结果与结论：转染后12 h,细胞中可观察到绿色荧光蛋白的表达,随时间延长荧光强度逐渐加强。以感染复数=100时绿色荧光蛋白的表达强度、稳定性较好,转染后3 d,转染效率近90%;转染后转染组细胞活力增加;转染5 d后,骨髓间充质干细胞表达神经元烯醇化酶,细胞伸出神经样细胞突起;转染10 d后,胶质细胞源性神经营养因子mRNA表达显著增强,骨髓间充质干细胞表达神微管相关蛋白2,细胞突触样结构明显且相互连接成网,呈现典型神经样细胞形态。说明以Ad-rGDNF-GFP转染骨髓间充质干细胞,感染复数=100时,可获得较高的转染效率,胶质细胞源性神经营养因子表达后明显提高了骨髓间充质干细胞活力,并诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向神经样细胞定向分化。     

Adenosine induces expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in primary rat astrocytes

Adenosine, which accumulates rapidly during ischemia due to the breakdown of ATP, has beneficial effects in many tissues. We examined whether adenosine induces the production of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in cultured astrocytes. We evaluated GDNF mRNA expression and GDNF production in astrocytes cultured with adenosine and the adenosine selective receptor agonists 5-(N-ethylcarboxamido) adenosine (NECA), N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) and 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl) phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamindo-adenosine hydrochloride (CGS 21680). Moreover, we examined the possibility that the expression of GDNF is regulated differently in cultured astrocytes from the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP) than in those from Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). In this study, we confirmed that adenosine and the selective A(2B) adenosine receptor agonist NECA induced the expression of GDNF in cultured astrocytes. The A(2B) receptor antagonist alloxazine was able to inhibit the increase in extracellular GDNF produced by adenosine. Furthermore, the amounts of GDNF produced were significantly reduced in astrocytes of the adenosine-treated SHRSP compared with those of WKY. These results indicate that adenosine induces the expression of GDNF, and adenosine A(2B) receptors participate in the regulation of GDNF levels in astrocytes. This expression was attenuated in astrocytes of SHRSP compared with those of WKY.     

Axonal regrowth downregulates the synthesis of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the lesioned rat sciatic nerve

The effect of axonal regeneration on de novo synthesis of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in rat sciatic nerves was examined. Transection of the sciatic nerve caused a prominent increase in the GDNF content in the distal segments within 1 week. The high level was sustained until 4 weeks in the animal model in which the nerve ends were ligated with thread (non-regeneration group); however, it was reduced to the original level within 2 or 4 weeks after the transection only in the segments invaded by regenerating axons in the models in which the nerve ends were coaptated (regeneration group). Expression of both GDNF protein and mRNA was decreased with a reciprocal increase in the density of neurofilaments, used as a marker of axonal ingrowth in distal segments of the regeneration group, suggesting that axonal contact turned off the GDNF-mediated nerve regeneration activity.     

脑缺血后GDNF的表达与应用的研究进展

胶质细胞源性神经营养因子 (GDNF)具有广谱性神经营养作用。在脑缺血后组织修复的研究中 ,发现GDNF参与神经修复过程。在几种脑缺血模型中均可见到该蛋白基因的mRNA或蛋白本身及其受体表达。在给以外源性的GDNF实验中 ,发现此蛋白在脑缺血时表现出强大的神经保护作用 ,使脑梗塞面积减小 ,脑水肿程度减轻 ,存活神经元数明显增加 ,显示出良好的应用前景。     

胶质细胞源性神经营养因子体外对脊髓运动神经元的作用

目的 :观察不同浓度的胶质细胞源性神经营养因子 (GDNF) ,对大鼠胚胎脊髓运动神经元生长活性的作用。方法 :取大鼠胚胎脊髓腹侧组织体外分离 ,进行原代细胞培养 ,应用抗神经微丝单克隆抗体 (mAb)SMI32进行运动神经元的免疫细胞化学染色 ,从细胞形态学及应用MTT比色法 ,研究GDNF对大鼠脊髓运动神经元的影响。结果 :GDNF能明显促进体外培养的大鼠脊髓运动神经元存活及突起的生长 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,且具有剂量依赖的趋势。结论 :不同浓度的GDNF对体外培养的大鼠胚胎脊髓运动神经元 ,有不同程度的促生长作用     

脂质体介导胶质细胞源性神经营养因子基因在体骨骼肌的转移和表达

目的：研究脂质体介导胶质细胞源性神经营养因子(GDNF)基因在大鼠骨骼肌内的表达。方法：将鼠 GDNF cDNA 克隆到真核表达载体 pEGFP 中,构建重组载体 pEGFP-GDNF;将脂质体和重组质粒 pEGFP-GD- NF cDNA 混合后直接注入大鼠面神经支配的骨骼肌内。采用免疫组化技术和荧光显微镜检测 GDNF 基因转染后的体内表达。结果：转染2 d 后,转染侧面肌细胞内有散在的绿色荧光,且有部分细胞呈 GDNF 免疫反应阳性,对照侧为阴性。结论：GDNF 基因能通过脂质体介导转入骨骼肌内并表达 GDNF 蛋白,为神经营养因子基因肌内转染治疗周围神经损伤提供了初步的理论和实验依据。     

Alterations in expression of the neurotrophic factors glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, in the target-deprived olfactory neuroepithelium

Neuronal growth factors play an important role in the development and maintenance of the nervous system. In the olfactory system, neurogenesis and synapse formation occur not only during development but throughout life and it would be expected that growth factors play a significant role in these ongoing processes. We have examined the expression of three neurotrophic factors, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the normal rat olfactory system and following synaptic target ablation (olfactory bulbectomy). We found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity was confined to the horizontal basal cells of the olfactory neuroepithelium and was unaltered by bulbectomy. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity was present in the mature olfactory neurons and also their synaptic target cells in the olfactory bulb. Following bulbectomy, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity was abolished from the neuroepithelium. Ciliary neurotrophic factor was present throughout the olfactory neuronal lineage with strongest immunoreactivity in the horizontal basal cells and mature olfactory neurons as well as several cell types in the olfactory bulb. Postbulbectomy, there was loss of strong ciliary neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity in olfactory neurons, however, low levels persisted in the remaining neuronal population. Horizontal basal cell immunoreactivity persisted over three months. Our results would be consistent with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor expression in mature olfactory neurons being dependent upon functional synaptic contact with the olfactory bulb. Alternatively, this factor may be acting as target-derived growth factor for olfactory neurons, a role in keeping with its function in spinal motoneurons and in the nigrostriatal system. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is implicated in the trophic support of immature neurons. Ciliary neurotrophic factor is clearly important in this unique neuronal system but elucidation of its role awaits further investigation.     

Immunohistochemical localization of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the human central nervous system

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, initially purified from the rat glial cell line B49, has the ability to promote the survival and differentiation of various types of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the present study, to evaluate the physiological role of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the central nervous system, we investigated the cellular and regional distribution of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity in autopsied control human brains and spinal cords using a polyclonal glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-specific antibody. On western blot analysis, the antibody reacted with recombinant human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and recognized a single band at a molecular weight of approximately 34,000 in human brain homogenates. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity was observed mainly in the neuronal somata, dendrites and axons. In the telencephalon, diencephalon and brainstem, the cell bodies and proximal processes of several neuronal subtypes were immunostained with punctate dots. Furthermore, immunopositive nerve fibers were also observed, and numerous axons were intensely immunolabeled in the internal segment of the globus pallidus and the pars reticulata of the substantia nigra. In the cerebellum, the most conspicuous immunostaining was found in the Purkinje cells, in which the somata and dendrites were strongly immunolabeled. Intense immunoreactivity was also detected in the posterior horn of the spinal cord. In addition to the neuronal elements, immunopositive glial cell bodies and processes were observed in various regions.

Our results suggest that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor is widely localized, but can be found selectively in certain neuronal subpopulations of the human central nervous system. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor may regulate the maintenance of neuronal functions under normal circumstances.     

Astrocyte growth and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor secretion in three-dimensional polyethylene terephthalate fibrous matrices

The ability of human astrocytes grown in nonwoven fibrous matrices to produce glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was studied. GDNF has the ability to selectively nourish and regenerate dopaminergic neurons and thus can provide a new treatment of Parkinson's disease. Compressed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics (porosity, 88.8%; mean pore diameter, 64 microm), treated with boiling NaOH, was effective in supporting high-density growth of astrocytes with stable GDNF production over the entire period of 18 days studied. Treatment of PET with NaOH renders the fiber surface more hydrophilic, thereby facilitating attachment and spreading of cells, whereas matrix compression allows cells to grow along and also between the fibers of these matrices to a higher density. The average production of GDNF by cells grown in these matrices (approximately 2 cm in diameter) was 21.7 pg/mL x day, with an average high concentration of 64.6 pg/mL, which is well above the effective concentration of 40 pg/mL. This work shows promise in culturing astrocytes in PET matrices as the first step in developing a potential implantable tissue-engineering device for treating patients with Parkinson's disease.     

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha1 availability regulates glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor signaling: evidence from mice carrying one or two mutated alleles

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha1 (GFRalpha1, also known as GDNFR-alpha) is a glycolipid-anchored membrane protein of the GFRalpha family, which binds glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor [Jing S. et al. (1996) Cell 85, 1113-1124; Treanor J. J. et al. (1996) Nature 382, 80-83], a survival factor for several populations of central and peripheral neurons, including midbrain dopamine neurons [Lin L. F. et al. (1993) Science 260, 1130-1132], and mediates its ligand-induced cell response via a tyrosine kinase receptor called Ret [Takahashi M. et al. (1988) Oncogene 3, 571-578; Takahashi M. and Cooper G. M. (1987) Molec. Cell Biol. 7, 1378-1385]. In this paper, we show that mice with a null mutation of the GFRalpha1 gene manifest epithelial-mesenchymal interaction deficits in kidney and severe disturbances of intestinal tract development similar to those seen with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor or Ret null mutations. There is a marked renal dysgenesis or agenesis and the intrinsic enteric nervous system fails completely to develop. We also show that newborn GFRalpha1-deficient mice display no or minimal changes in dorsal root and sympathetic ganglia. This is in contrast to the deficits reported in these neuronal populations in glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and Ret null mutations. Mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area appear intact at the time of birth of the mutated mice. Mice homozygous for the GFRalpha1 null mutation die within 24 h of birth because of uremia. Heterozygous animals, however, live to adulthood. There is a significantly reduced neuroprotective effect of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in such heterozygous animals, compared with wild-type littermates, after cerebral ischemia. Taken together with previous data on glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and Ret, our results strongly suggest that GFRalpha1 is the essential GFRalpha receptor for signaling in the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-Ret pathway in the kidney and enteric nervous system development, and that GFRalpha2 or GFRalpha3 cannot substitute for the absence of GFRalpha1. Moreover, neuroprotective actions of exogenous glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor also require full GFRalpha1 receptor expression.     

Depletion of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in substantia nigra neurons of Parkinson's disease brain

The distribution of nerve growth factor (NGF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) of Parkinson's disease (PD) brains was investigated by immunofluorescence. Cases studied included four 69–77 year old neurologically normal male controls and four 72–79 year old male PD patients. Integrated optical densities (IODs) of immunofluorescence over individual neuromelanin-containing neurons and in areas of neuropil and the number of neurons on H & E stained adjacent sections were quantitated with the use of the BioQuant Image Analyzer. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA, including the unpaired two-tailed Student t-test and the Mann–Whitney test. The results showed 55.8% (P<0.0001) dropout of SNc neurons in PD brains compared to age-matched controls. Despite considerable neuronal dropout, immunofluorescent NTFs in the PD brains showed differential reductions that were consistent within the group as compared to age-matched controls: reductions were GDNF, 19.4%/neuron (P<0.0001), 20.2%/neuropil (P<0.0001); CNTF, 11.1%/neuron (P<0.0001), 9.4%/neuropil (P<0.0001); BDNF, 8.6%/neuron (P<0.0001), 2.5%/neuropil. NGF, NT-3 and NT-4 showed no significant differences within surviving neurons or neuropil. Since the depletion of GDNF both within surviving neurons and neuropil was twice as great as that of CNTF and BDNF and since the other NTFs showed no changes, GDNF, of the tested NTFs, is probably the most susceptible and the earliest to decrease in the surviving neurons of SNc. These observations suggest a role for decreased availability of GDNF in the process of SNc neurodegeneration in PD.