Contrasting effects of mitogenic growth factors on oligodendrocyte precursor cell migration

• Published in: Glia 1997-01, Vol.19 (1), p.85-90
• Main Authors: Milner, Richard, Anderson, Helen J., Rippon, Rebecca F., McKay, Jennifer S., Franklin, Robin J.M., Marchionni, Mark A., Reynolds, Richard, Ffrench-Constant, Charles
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF); Biological and medical sciences; Cell Division - drug effects; Cell Line - cytology; Cell Line - drug effects; Cell Movement - drug effects; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - pharmacology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glia Maturation Factor; glial growth factor-2 (GGF-2); Glycoproteins - pharmacology; Growth Inhibitors - pharmacology; Isolated neuron and nerve. Neuroglia; Mitogens - pharmacology; myelination; Nerve Tissue Proteins - pharmacology; neuregulin; Neuregulins; Oligodendroglia - cytology; Oligodendroglia - drug effects; platelet derived growth factor (PDGF); Platelet-Derived Growth Factor - pharmacology; proliferation; Sepharose; Stem Cells - cytology; Stem Cells - drug effects; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
• ISSN: 0894-1491; 1098-1136
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-1136(199701)19:1<85::AID-GLIA9>3.0.CO;2-9

We have examined the effects of the mitogenic growth factors platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and glial growth factor‐2 (GGF‐2) on oligodendrocyte precursor migration. In an agarose drop migration assay PDGF and bFGF stimulated migration while GGF‐2 had no effect. The migration‐enhancing effect of bFGF cannot be blocked by neutralising antibodies against PDGF, confirming that this effect is direct and not mediated via upregulation of PDGF receptors. Based on our results, we propose a model in which the differing effects of PDGF and GGF‐2 ensure appropriate numbers of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the vicinity of axons to be myelinated during development. GLIA 19:85–90, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.