Journal of Neuroscience, Vol 8, 733-745, Copyright © 1988 by Society for Neuroscience
Development and survival of neurons in dissociated fetal mesencephalic serum-free cell cultures: I. Effects of cell density and of an adult mammalian striatal-derived neuronotrophic factor (SDNF)
R Dal Toso, O Giorgi, C Soranzo, G Kirschner, G Ferrari, M Favaron, D Benvegnu, D Presti, S Vicini and G Toffano
Fidia Neurobiological Research Laboratories, Abano Terme, Italy.
The use of CNS cultures for detection and quantification of neuronotrophic
activity in the CNS has been analyzed. In particular the development, i.e.,
neurotransmitter uptake characteristics, and survival of dopaminergic and
GABAergic neurons in fetal mouse (E13)- dissociated mesencephalic cells
cultured in serum-free, hormone- supplemented medium have been assessed as
a function of culture time and cell density. At all times, more than 98% of
the cells were classified as neurons on the basis of immunocytochemical
criteria. Results indicate that the increase of cell density in vitro
significantly enhances specific high-affinity dopamine uptake per
dopaminergic cell and cell survival. This effect is not limited to the
dopaminergic cells and suggests that the development of
neurotransmitter-related traits and cell survival are influenced by cell
density-derived trophic signals. The above-mentioned cultures and
parameters have also been used to detect neuronotrophic activity in adult
mammalian brain extracts or more purified preparations. In particular,
bovine striatal extracts contain activity capable of increasing
high-affinity neurotransmitter uptake parameters and cell survival of at
least the dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons present in the culture system.
The neuronotrophic activity from bovine striatum has been partially
purified and is associated with a fraction whose main component is a basic
protein of approximately 14 kDa.
