A primary encephalocele culture yields a pure population of human astrocytes

In order to develop a reliable source of human astrocytes for in vitro studies, we established a primary explant culture of a human encephalocele. This culture yielded a population of cells which were karyotypically normal, morphologically resembled astrocytes, expressed glial fibrillary acid protein, and responded mitogenically to exogenous growth factors. We conclude that white matter derived from human encephaloceles can be used to generate pure populations of normal astrocytes.

Suppression of basic fibroblast growth factor expression by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides inhibits the growth of transformed human astrocytes

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a heparin-binding protein expressing potent mitogenic and angiogenic properties. Elevated levels of bFGF have recently been described in human glioma cell lines. The high degree of vascularity and invasiveness which characterize human gliomas suggest that activated expression of bFGF or similar proteins may be related to the aberrant growth patterns of these tumors. The influence of endogenous bFGF on glioma cell growth in vitro was evaluated in the present study by down-regulating bFGF expression using antisense oligonucleotide primers. The addition of 50 microM bFGF-specific antisense primer to the human glioma cell line SNB-19 resulted in an 80% inhibition in glioma growth. This effect was saturable and specific. Antisense primers directed to two different sites of bFGF mRNA were effective in suppressing SNB-19 growth, whereas sense strand primer was ineffective. Furthermore, only the antisense primer significantly reduced the specific activity of bFGF protein in SNB-19 cell extracts. Neither antisense or sense primers inhibited the growth of non-transformed human glia. bFGF mRNA was detected in both transformed and non-transformed human glia by polymerase chain reaction analysis suggesting that alterations in bFGF isoform content or activity may be specifically related to abnormal growth control in human gliomas.

Epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor: effects on an overlapping population of neocortical neurons in vitro

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) have trophic effects on rat neocortical neurons in vitro. Concentration-response studies reveal that EGF maximally stimulates neuronal survival and process outgrowth at approximately 10 ng/ml, while the maximal effect of bFGF is seen at 10-30 ng/ml. Treatment with maximal concentrations of bFGF results in cultures containing a greater number of neurons with long processes, as well as greater branching of processes, than does treatment with EGF. When EGF and bFGF are added together to cultures the effects are not additive. In addition, bFGF is capable of supporting the survival of neurons previously treated with EGF. These findings indicate that EGF and bFGF affect a largely overlapping population of neocortical neurons, but that bFGF may be a more effective trophic agent for these cells.

Basic fibroblast growth factor: a potential autocrine regulator of human glioma cell growth

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent mitogen and angiogenic factor. bFGF is expressed by a variety of solid human tumors and has been implicated as an autocrine regulator of tumor growth. Different solid tumor lines including glioma, colon carcinoma and melanoma were examined for intracellular immunoreactive bFGF, high- and low-affinity bFGF receptors and mitogenic response to bFGF when grown in chemically defined medium. All tumor lines contained significant levels of bFGF. In addition, all tumor lines contained subsets of five forms of immunoreactive bFGF, as well as 0.68-20 x 10(6) low affinity bFGF binding sites (Kd = 15-300 nM). Most, but not all lines exhibited high affinity bFGF receptors (Kd = 25-40 pM). Glioma cell lines were distinguished by expressing the highest levels of bFGF protein as well as the most high-affinity receptors for bFGF. Furthermore, glioma cell lines were the only tumor type mitogenically responsive to bFGF. These results indicate that glioma cells express high levels of this potent mitogen and angiogenic factor relative to human colon carcinoma and melanoma cells. The expression of bFGF and bFGF receptors by glioma cells may be related to abnormal growth and neoplastic progression in these tumors.

Disreputable science: definition and detection

This paper describes definitions of fraud and misconduct as disreputable science. Some causes and methods of detection of scientific misconduct are identified. These hallmarks of credibility are essential for nursing to advance as a science.

Basic fibroblast growth factor-like activity and receptors are expressed in a human glioma cell line

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a potent mitogen and angiogenic peptide, has been examined as an autocrine regulator of glioma cell growth. The addition of purified bovine pituitary bFGF to an established human glioma cell line, SNB-19, doubled the density of these cells in chemically defined medium. Half-maximal stimulation occurred at 8.2 ng/ml (480 pM). Also, human recombinant bFGF (hr-bFGF) significantly enhanced the growth of SNB-19 cells in soft agar. SNB-19 cells expressed both high and low affinity binding sites for hr-bFGF. These cells expressed approximately 13,000 high affinity sites/cell (Kd = 16.6 +/- 1.7 pM) and 9.5 x 10(6) low affinity sites/cell (Kd = 61.2 +/- 4.1 nM). The results of cross-linking experiments with iodinated hr-bFGF demonstrated the presence of two bands with molecular masses of 145 and 130 kDa. High affinity receptors were also demonstrated in SNB-19 tumors grown in nude mice. SNB-19 cell extracts contained mitogenic activity that eluted from heparin-agarose with high salt (1.2-2 M NaCl) and exhibited many properties normally associated with authentic bFGF. This material cross-reacted with a monoclonal antibody to hr-bFGF, comigrated with hr-bFGF by Western blot analysis, competed with 125I-hr-bFGF in a radioreceptor assay, and stimulated SNB-19 cell growth. These results indicate that a human glioma cell line both expresses and utilizes a bFGF-like growth factor. Such a factor may be an important autocrine regulator of glioma cell growth and may also facilitate its neoplastic progression.

Inhibition of protein kinase C activity promotes the neurotrophic action of epidermal and basic fibroblast growth factors

In primary neuronal cultures the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by tumor-promoting phorbol esters blocked growth factor-induced neuronal survival and neurite extension. Depletion of PKC markedly facilitated both epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor-inducible neurite extension. Inhibition of PKC by H-7 also stimulated neurite extension. These results suggest that down-regulation of PKC in neurons may be required for trophic factor action.

Basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor exert differential trophic effects on CNS neurons

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are potent mitogenic proteins capable of inducing cell division in a wide variety of cell types. In addition to their mitogenic properties, both proteins have recently been shown to enhance survival and process outgrowth from neurons of central nervous system origin. The full spectrum of neuronal subtypes responding to these factors has not been elucidated. In the present study, EGF was found to enhance survival and process outgrowth of primary cultures of cerebellar neurons of neonatal rat brain. This effect was dose-dependent and was observed with EGF concentrations as low as 100 pg/ml. In marked contrast, bFGF was ineffective in enhancing survival or neurite elongation from cerebellar neurons when tested in the range of 0.1 to 10.0 ng/ml. However, within this concentration range, bFGF did prove effective in stimulating an increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation into primary cultures of cerebellar astrocytes, demonstrating that bFGF was active and that cells in the cerebellum do respond to bFGF. These results suggest that EGF or an EGF-like peptide may act as a neurite elongation and maintenance factor for cerebellar neurons. EGF has now been shown to support striatal, cortical, and cerebellar neurons, suggesting that this factor may have trophic activity throughout the central nervous system. bFGF, in contrast, appears to exert its effects on limited populations of neurons.

Trophic stimulation of cultured neurons from neonatal rat brain by epidermal growth factor

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent polypeptide mitogen originally isolated from the adult male mouse submaxillary gland. It also acts as a gastrointestinal hormone. EGF-immunoreactive material has recently been identified within neuronal fibers and terminals in rodent brain. In the present study, EGF was found to enhance survival and process outgrowth of primary cultures of subneocortical telencephalic neurons of neonatal rat brain in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was observed with EGF concentrations as low as 100 picograms per milliliter (0.016 nanomolar) and was dependent on the continuous presence of EGF in the medium. Similar effects were observed with basic fibroblast growth factor, but several other growth-promoting substances, including other mitogens for glial elements, were without effect. Thus EGF, in addition to its mitogenic and hormonal activities, may act as a neurite elongation and maintenance factor for select neurons of the rodent central nervous system.

Basic fibroblast growth factor supports the survival of cerebral cortical neurons in primary culture

Bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent mitogen isolated from bovine pituitary glands and brain. The addition of homogeneous bFGF to primary cultures of rat cerebral cortical neurons markedly enhances cell survival and elaboration of neurites. These effects are dose-dependent, with optimal stimulation occurring at a concentration of 500 pg/ml. Maintenance of survival and neurite outgrowth require the continuous presence of bFGF. Other growth factors, such as thrombin, platelet-derived growth factor, beta nerve growth factor, and interleukin 2, have no effect on neuronal survival or process formation. Although the cellular site(s) of bFGF synthesis has not yet been established, these results suggest that bFGF may function as a neurotrophic agent in the central nervous system.

Modulation of beta-adrenergic response in rat brain astrocytes by serum and hormones

Purified astrocyte cultures from neonatal rat cerebrum respond to isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, with a transient rise in cAMP production. This astroglial property was regulated by serum, a chemically defined medium (serum-free medium plus hydrocortisone, putrescine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, insulin, and fibroblast growth factor) and epidermal growth factor. Compared to astrocytes grown in serum-supplemented medium, astrocytes grown in the chemically defined medium were nonresponsive to isoproterenol stimulation, and this difference did not appear to be due to selection of a subpopulation of cells by either medium. The data suggest that a decreased beta-adrenergic receptor number and an increased degradation of cAMP may account for the reduced response to beta-adrenergic stimulation. The nonresponsive state of astrocytes in the defined medium was reversible when the medium was replaced with serum-supplemented medium. An active substance(s) in serum was responsible for restoring the responsiveness of astrocytes. Each of the five components of the defined medium had little effect by itself; however, together they acted synergistically to desensitize astrocytes to beta-adrenergic stimulation. On the other hand, epidermal growth factor, a potent mitogen for astrocytes, was very competent by itself in reducing the cAMP response of astrocytes to beta-adrenergic stimulation. Thus purified astrocytes grown in the chemically defined medium appear to be a good model for the study of hormonal interactions and of serum factors which may modulate the beta-adrenergic response.

Hormones and growth factors induce the synthesis of glial fibrillary acidic protein in rat brain astrocytes

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the major constituent of glial filaments and is restricted within the CNS to astrocytes. As with other classes of intermediate filament proteins, the regulation of GFAP expression is poorly understood. Utilizing highly purified cultures of astrocytes and a chemically defined (CD) medium, we have demonstrated that the expression of GFAP is subject to regulation by hormones and growth factors. The concentration of GFAP/mg protein was induced 2-4-fold in the presence of hydrocortisone, putrescine, prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), and pituitary fibroblast growth factor (FGF). Augmentation of the levels of GFAP continued for up to 3 weeks after conversion to CD medium and paralleled the morphological maturation of astrocytes. The accumulation of GFAP resulted from an increase in its specific rate of synthesis. Conversion of astrocytes from serum-supplemented (SS) to CD medium did not alter its rate of degradation. GFAP appeared quite stable under both sets of conditions, exhibiting a half-life of approximately 7.5 days. The data demonstrate that GFAP expression in astrocytes is subject to hormonal regulation, which may have implications for gliosis.

Epidermal growth factor immunoreactive material in the central nervous system: location and development

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent mitogen with hormonal activity in the gastrointestinal tract. Material cross-reacting with EGF was detected in the central nervous system of the developing and adult albino rat by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. High concentrations of EGF-cross-reacting material were identified in forebrain and midbrain structures of pallidal areas of the brain. These include the globus pallidus, ventral pallidum, entopeduncular nucleus, substantia nigra pars reticulata, and the islands of Calleja . Thus, EGF may represent another gut-brain peptide with potential neurotransmitter-neuromodulator functions in pallidal structures of the extrapyramidal motor systems of the brain.

Differentiation of purified astrocytes in a chemically defined medium

Homogeneous cultures of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes provide an excellent model system for studying the regulation of glial structure and function. Recently, a chemically defined (CD) medium was developed for purified cultures of astrocytes, thus eliminating the requirement for serum and providing a controlled system for the study of astroglial properties. Due to the widespread use of astrocyte cultures and the potential benefits to be gained from using a defined medium, astrocyte cultures raised in CD medium were analyzed for purity as well as morphological and biochemical properties. Purity was assessed using immunocytochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and fibronectin. Astrocytes raised in CD medium are 95% pure using the expression of GFAP as a criterion. Fewer than 1% of the cells in CD medium stained positive for fibronectin eliminating the possibility that CD medium is selective for meningeal or endothelial cells. Astrocytes raised in CD medium exhibit a striking degree of morphological differentiation as seen in scanning electron micrographs. They also exhibit a high degree of biochemical differentiation illustrated by increases in the specific activity of S-100 protein and the induction of glutamine synthetase by glucocorticoids. A defined medium that supports the proliferation of rat astrocytes and enhances numerous morphological and biochemical properties should greatly facilitate the study of factors controlling glial proliferation and differentiation.

Developmental expression of rat brain mitogens for cultured astrocytes

Extracts prepared from prenatal, neonatal, and adult rat brain were examined for the presence of astrocyte mitogens. Extracts were characterized by molecular weight separation on Sephadex G-100. Two major peaks of mitogenic activity, at 80K and 23K daltons, were identified in the adult brain extract. Extract prepared from adult tissue also possessed the lowest specific activity. Extract prepared from neonatal rat brain exhibited four general peaks of activity at approximately 80K, 45K, 23K, and 17K daltons. This extract possessed the highest specific activity. Extract prepared from prenatal rat brain contained six general peaks of activity with unique peaks at 67K, 14K, and less than 10K daltons. In addition, this extract possessed a specific activity intermediate between the adult and postnatal extracts. Differences were also noted among the extracts in their requirement for "permissive" factors found in serum necessary for mitogenic activity. The data have implications for the normal development of astrocytes, as well as for the pathological process of gliosis.

Growth of purified astrocytes in a chemically defined medium

Astrocytes purified from primary cultures of neonatal rat cerebrum can now be grown in a synthetic medium supplemented with putrescine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, insulin, fibroblast growth factor, and hydrocortisone. These five supplements have a marked synergistic effect on growth when used in combination but have little effect when used individually. Astrocytes grown in the defined medium exhibit dramatic changes in morphological characteristics in comparison to cells grown in serum-free or serum-supplemented medium. In addition, these cells express the astrocyte-specific marker glial fibrillary acidic protein and are estimated by several criteria to be greater than 95% astrocytes.

Hyperaccumulation of nickel by Alyssum Linnaeus (Cruciferae)

Herbarium specimens of all except one of the 168 recognized species of Alyssum Linnaeus have been analysed for their nickel content in order to identify hyperaccumulators (greater than 1000 microgram per g dry mass) of nickel. A further 31 hyperaccumulators (all in section Odontarrhena) were discovered in addition to the 14 European species reported earlier. Pot trials on the non-accumulator A. serpyllifolium Desfontaines and the hyperaccumulator A. pintodasilvae Dudley in ed. involving addition of nickel to the medium in which the plants were growing, showed that not all species of of section Odontarrhena were able to act as hyperaccumulators of nickel. Hyperaccumulation occurred almost exclusively in the eastern Mediterranean area and Turkey. There appeared to be a definite correlation between species diversity, proliferation and endemism on the one hand, and extremely high nickel concentrations (greater than 1%) on the other. The data have been used to assess the evidence for promoting section Odontarrhena to generic rank.

Aeolanthus biformifolius De Wild.: A Hyperaccumulator of Copper from Zaire

Aeolanthus biformifolius (Labiatae) from Shaba Province, Zaïre, has been shown to be a hyperaccumulator of copper. The copper content of the total plant during the rest period after the rainy season was 1.3 percent (dry weight basis) and is easily the highest copper concentration ever found in living material. This species should be classified as a "copper flower" because of its exclusive occurrence over mineralized ground.

Hormone-fuel concentrations in anephric subjects. Effect of hemodialysis (with special reference to amino acids)

Arterial blood concentrations of insulin, glucagon, and various substrates were determined in six anephric subjects in the postabsorptive state and immediately after hemodialysis. Plasma glucose and serum insulin concentrations were normal, and declined during dialysis. Plasma glucagon was elevated and remained unchanged. There was moderate hypertriglyceridemia before dialysis, but this decreased significantly after administration of heparin just before the start of dialysis, and at the end of dialysis was lowered further into the normal range. Comparison of postabsorptive whole blood concentrations of amino acids with those in normal, healthy adults revealed striking differences. Glutamine, proline, citrulline, glycine and both 1- and 3-methyl-histidines were increased, while serine, glutamate, tyrosine, lysine, and branched-chain amino acids were decreased. The glycine/serine ratio was elevated to 300% and tyrosine/phenylalanine ratio was lowered to 60% of normal. To investigate the potential role of blood cells in amino acid transport, the distribution of individual amino acids in plasma and blood cell compartments was studied. Despite a markedly diminished blood cell mass (mean hematocrit, 20.6 +/- 1.4%), there was no significant decrease in the fraction of most amino acids present in the cell compartment, and this was explained by increases of several amino acids in cellular water. None were decreased. Furthermore, during dialysis, whole blood and plasma amino acids declined by approximately 30% and 40%, respectively, whereas no significant change was observed in the cell compartment. Alanine was the only amino acid whose concentration declined in the cells as well as in plasma. The results indicate (a) significant alterations in the concentrations of hormones and substrates in patients on chronic, intermittent hemodialysis; (b) removal of amino acids during hemodialysis, predominantly from the plasma compartment, with no significant change in cell content; and (c) a redistribution of amino acids in plasma and blood cell compartments with increased gradients of most of the amino acids per unit cell water, by mechanism(s) as yet undetermined.