Cell Type- and Isotype-Specific Expression and Regulation of [beta]-Tubulins in Primary Olfactory Ensheathing Cells and Schwann Cells In Vitro

• Published in: Neurochemical research 2013-05, Vol.38 (5), p.981
• Main Authors: Omar, Mohamed, Hansmann, Florian, Kreutzer, Robert, Kreutzer, Mihaela, Brandes, Gudrun, Wewetzer, Konstantin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0364-3190; 1573-6903
• DOI: 10.1007/s11064-013-1006-3

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) and Schwann cells (SCs) are closely-related cell types with regeneration-promoting properties. Comparative gene expression analysis is particularly relevant since it may explain cell type-specific effects and guide the use of each cell type into special clinical applications. In the present study, we focused on [beta]-tubulin isotype expression in primary adult canine glia as a translational large animal model. [beta]-tubulins so far have been studied mainly in non-neuronal tumors and implied in tumorigenic growth. We show here that primary OECs and SCs expressed [beta]IIâ[euro]"V isotype mRNA. Interestingly, [beta]III-tubulin mRNA and protein expression was high in OECs and low in SCs, while fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) induced its down-regulation in both cell types to the same extent. This was in contrast to [beta]V-tubulin mRNA which was similarly expressed in both cell types and unaltered by FGF-2. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that OEC cultures contained a higher percentage of [beta]III-tubulin-positive cells compared to SC cultures. Addition of FGF-2 reduced the number of [beta]III-tubulin-positive cells in both cultures and significantly increased the percentage of cells with a multipolar morphology. Taken together, we demonstrate cell type-specific expression ([beta]III) and isotype-specific regulation ([beta]III, [beta]V) of [beta]-tubulin isotypes in OECs and SCs. While differential expression of [beta]III-tubulin in primary glial cell types with identical proliferative behaviour argues for novel functions unrelated to tumorigenic growth, strong [beta]III-tubulin expression in OECs may help to explain the specific properties of this glial cell type.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]