Growth factor dependent cholinergic function and survival in primary mouse spinal cord cultures

Life Sciences
Robert E Sheridan, Michael Adler

Abstract

In primary embryonic spinal cord cultures, synaptic transmission can be conveniently studied by monitoring radiolabeled neurotransmitter release or by recording of electrophysiological responses. However, while the mature spinal cord contains an appreciable number of cholinergic motoneurons, cultures of embryonic spinal cord have a paucity of these neurons and release little or no acetylcholine upon stimulation. To determine whether the proportion of cholinergic neurons in primary mouse spinal cord cultures can be augmented, the effects of several classes of growth factors were examined on depolarization- and Ca(2+)-evoked release of choline/acetylcholine (Ch/ACh). In the absence of growth factors, little or no evoked release of radiolabeled Ch/ACh could be demonstrated. Media supplemented with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were examined for their ability to preserve the population of neurons in culture. CNTF was found to increase the number of surviving neurons and to enhance the release of radiolabeled Ch/ACh; the other factors were without effect. The action of CNTF was transient, and the neuronal population decreased to levels observed i...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1978·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·R McGeeM Nirenberg
Mar 1, 1990·Journal of Neuroscience Research·F Z WangE A Neale
Jun 1, 1987·The Journal of Cell Biology·D E BrennemanG L Westbrook
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Jan 14, 2004·Biochemistry·James E KellerElaine A Neale
Jan 28, 2004·Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology·Lance L Simpson
Feb 3, 2005·Toxicon : Official Journal of the International Society on Toxinology·Robert E SheridanMichael Adler

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Citations

Oct 29, 2009·BMC Pharmacology·Peng ZhangPrabhati Ray
Jul 6, 2014·Experimental Cell Research·Gerburg KeilhoffHisham Fansa

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