Abstract
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a cytokine that affects the survival and differentiation of certain neuronal populations in vitro. To identify LIF-responsive neurons in the adult rat, we have demonstrated retrograde axonal transport of 125I-LIF to sensory and motor neurons. The accumulation of 125I-LIF by both cell types was significantly increased by prior sciatic nerve crush. Retrograde transport of 125I-LIF was inhibited by excess unlabeled LIF but not by related cytokines, indicating a specific receptor-mediated mechanism. Northern blot analysis revealed LIF expression in peripheral nerve that was increased in distal segments after axotomy. The correlation between LIF expression and increased retrograde transport following injury suggests that LIF plays a role in peripheral nerve regeneration.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Axonal Transport
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Blotting, Northern
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Brain Stem / metabolism
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Cells, Cultured
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Facial Nerve / physiology*
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Ganglia, Spinal / metabolism*
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Gene Expression
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Growth Inhibitors / biosynthesis
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Growth Inhibitors / metabolism*
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Humans
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Interleukin-6*
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Leukemia Inhibitory Factor
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Lymphokines / biosynthesis
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Lymphokines / metabolism*
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Male
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Motor Neurons / metabolism*
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Nerve Crush
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Nerve Growth Factors / metabolism
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
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Neurons, Afferent / metabolism*
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
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Schwann Cells / metabolism
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Sciatic Nerve / injuries
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Sciatic Nerve / physiology*
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Spinal Cord / metabolism*
Substances
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Growth Inhibitors
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Interleukin-6
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LIF protein, human
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Leukemia Inhibitory Factor
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Lymphokines
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Nerve Growth Factors
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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RNA, Messenger
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Recombinant Proteins