RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Induction of motor neuron sprouting in vivo by ciliary neurotrophic factor and basic fibroblast growth factor JF The Journal of Neuroscience JO J. Neurosci. FD Society for Neuroscience SP 3241 OP 3247 DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.12-08-03241.1992 VO 12 IS 8 A1 ME Gurney A1 H Yamamoto A1 Y Kwon YR 1992 UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/12/8/3241.abstract AB Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were tested for effects on sprouting by motor neurons innervating the adult mouse gluteus muscle. Factors were delivered by subcutaneous injection directly over the surface of the superior gluteus muscle once daily for 7 d and then end plates and axons were visualized by combined silver and cholinesterase staining. CNTF (500 ng daily) induced sprouting both from end plates and from the subset of nodes of Ranvier that are closest to the end plate. The effect of CNTF was potentiated twofold by coadministration of bFGF at doses of 2-20 ng daily, whereas treatment with bFGF alone failed to induce sprouting from either end plates or nodes of Ranvier. The sprouting stimulus delivered by the factors showed limited penetrance into the muscle and restricted lateral spread from the injection site.