Insulin/insulin-like growth factor I and other epigenetic modulators of myelin basic protein expression in isolated oligodendrocyte progenitor cells

The expression of myelin basic protein by the oligodendrocyte is an integral event in the maturation of central nervous system function. Although much is known concerning the various myelin basic protein species, their temporal expression, and processing of RNA transcripts, little is known about the epigenetic factors responsible for the regulation of myelin basic protein (MBP) expression. In this study, we present evidence that insulin/insulin-like growth factor-I can increase the levels of MBP protein in isolated oligodendrocyte progenitor cells cultured in a serumless, chemically defined medium (ODM). Insulin was found to increase MBP protein in a dose-responsive manner, reaching a maximal level at 72 hr of exposure. Both insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin were demonstrated to have no effect on MBP RNA levels. These data indicate that insulin/IGF-I increased MBP protein levels at a level distal to transcription The dose response of insulin action suggests that it may have a MBP regulatory function, distinct from IGF-I. When added individually, the other supplements of ODM, transferrin (500 ng/ml), and basic fibroblast growth factor (5 ng/ml) had no effect on MBP expression. However, when all three components were combined, a synergistic effect resulting in increased MBP protein and total RNA levels was found. The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate was found to reduce intracellular MBP RNA levels. The cAMP analogue/dibutyryl cAMP had contrasting effects on MBP RNA levels; no effect occurred in cultures grown in fetal calf serum, but a reduction in RNA levels was found in cultures grown in ODM. These data suggest that only a select range of extrinsic factors may be involved in MBP regulation, and depending on the environmental milieu, epigenetic agents may modulate gene activity differently.

Myelin basic protein and transferrin characterize different subpopulations of oligodendrocytes in rat primary glial cultures

The iron transport glycoprotein, transferrin (Tf), localizes exclusively in oligodendrocytes in brain tissue sections. Previously, we showed that Tf is also expressed in oligodendrocytes in primary cultures established from newborn rat brains. Its developmental appearance precedes that of galactocerebroside (GC). In this study, Tf expression in primary brain cell cultures was investigated over a 4-week period in relation to GC and myelin basic protein (MBP), respectively, early and late markers of oligodendrocyte development. From 9 days in vitro and thereafter, all Tf+ cells were also found to be GC+. With increasing age the number of Tf+ cells decreased while the number of MBP+ cells increased. However, less than 10% of oligodendrocytes co-expressed Tf and MBP at any age. MBP+ cells were largely found in cell clusters which increased in size and number with age in culture. Interestingly, Tf+ cells were located around the clusters of MBP+ cells which displayed elaborate branched processes. The transient expression of Tf in oligodendrocytes which become MBP+, suggests a role for Tf in the early stages of myelinogenesis. The results also demonstrate the existence of three phenotypically distinct populations of oligodendrocytes. A new model of developmental and functional subpopulations of oligodendrocytes is proposed.

Developmental expression of neural cell type-specific mRNA markers in the myelin-deficient mutant rat brain: inhibition of oligodendrocyte differentiation

We have studied gene expression of neuroglial cell markers in the myelin-deficient (md) rat brain during postnatal development. Northern blots and slot blots of poly(A)+ RNA from developing brain were sequentially probed with cDNAs specific for the oligodendrocyte markers glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), myelin basic protein (MBP), and proteolipid protein (PLP), for the neuronal marker glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), and for the astrocyte markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and glutamine synthetase (GS). GPDH mRNA levels were also examined in two peripheral tissues, liver, and skeletal muscle (hindlimb). Despite a lack of CNS myelin in the md mutant, transcripts of all oligodendroglial markers were detectable except the 1.6-kb PLP message. Brain GPDH mRNA levels were initially equivalent in md and unaffected littermates at postnatal day 15 (PI5), but the mutants failed to display the normal developmental increase in gene expression. By P25, GPDH mRNA expression in md rat brain was approximately 20% of control levels. GPDH mRNA expression in peripheral tissues was less affected than in brain and was lower in md mutants only at the later developmental ages. Expressions of GAD, GFAP, and GS mRNAs in developing md rat brain were not altered. The mRNA levels of the two myelin markers, MBP and PLP, were severely impaired in md rat brain during the entire myelinating period and represented less than 10% of control mRNA levels at P25. The most important observation was that the large PLP transcript (3.2 kb) was slightly shorter in size in md rat brain as compared to normals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regulation of neuroblast proliferation by hormones and growth factors in chemically defined medium

Pure neuronal cultures prepared from 6-day-old embryonic chick brains incorporated [3H]-thymidine in serum-free medium up to the 4th day in culture. The addition of insulin any time within this culture period caused an increase in thymidine incorporation. This increase in [3H]-thymidine was correlated with an increase in cell number and percentage of labeling index. Triiodothyronine and endothelial cell growth factor were also active in stimulating [3H]-thymidine incorporation into chick neuroblasts. The effect of these trophic agents is unique since a variety of known mitogens tested were negative.

Serum contains inducers and repressors of oligodendrocyte differentiation

An important stage in oligodendrocyte development is the expression of galactocerebroside (GC), the major glycolipid in myelin. Although oligodendrocyte cell lineage and differentiation in vitro have been the object of many studies, to date there is sparse information on the regulation of GC expression in oligodendrocytes already committed to be positive for GC. We report here that GC expression in these cells is controlled by three serum factors. Two of these, possibly a lipoprotein and a mucoprotein, increase GC levels, whereas the third, probably a glycoprotein, exerts an inhibitory effect. The developmental increase of GC in postnatal rat brain cerebral cultures and its induction by serum factors are reversible phenomena. The isolation of the GC-regulatory factors would allow experimental manipulation of impaired GC expression by differentiated oligodendrocytes.

The induction of the major heat-stress protein in purified rat glial cells

Cultured purified oligodendroglia and astroglia exposed to heat stress (45 degrees C, 10 or 20 min) synthesized a 68-kDa heat-stress protein, which migrates on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and reacts with a specific monoclonal antibody suggesting it is similar to a major 72-kDa heat-shock protein previously reported in other cell types. This protein was not detected in control glial cultures. Actinomycin D prevented synthesis of this protein demonstrating an absolute requirement for newly synthesized mRNA. The response was prolonged by increasing the period of heat stress from 10 to 20 min. In addition to the 68-kDa HSP protein, the incorporation of radioactivity into 70-, 89-, and 97-kDa proteins was also increased after heating, but in contrast to the 68 kDa protein these proteins appeared to be made in control glial cultures.

Developmental expression of glial-specific mRNAs in primary cultures of rat brain visualized by in situ hybridization

The localization of mRNAs which encode the glial-specific marker proteins, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH, EC 1.1.1.8), and myelin basic protein (MBP), was mapped by in situ hybridization in primary cultures of 1-2-day-old rat brain in serum-supplemented medium. Developmental changes of these expressed mRNAs were examined after various times in culture ranging from 8 to 50 days and were correlated with the histological, morphological, and positional characteristics of the cells. By day 8, the culture stratified into a population of flat polygonal astrocytes covered by another population of phase-dark process-bearing cells. When counterstained with May-Grunwald histological stain, astrocytes appeared pale blue, whereas two subpopulations of phase-dark cells stained differentially; one was dark blue while the other was red and smaller. GFAP-specific sequences were abundant at day 8, increased in the astrocyte bedlayer as the culture became confluent, and plateaued at approximately day 16. A minor proportion of blue phase-dark cells contained GFAP mRNA although at a lower abundance. In contrast, GPDH mRNA positive blue phase-dark cells were seen scattered throughout the upper layer of the culture and also around the perimeter of large clumps of red phase-dark cells. These cells were infrequent at day 8 but increased in number at later time points. The expression of MBP mRNA differed from GPDH in that it was more abundant at early time points, plateaued between day 20 and day 24, and was predominantly localized in red phase-dark cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Induction of glutamine synthetase in rat astrocytes by co-cultivation with embryonic chick neurons

Co-cultivation of confluent rat astrocyte cultures with embryonic chick neurons resulted in induction of glutamine synthetase activity in the astrocytes. This induction of glutamine synthetase in astrocytes by neurons was independent of induction by hydrocortisone and forskolin, but was dependent on the length of co-cultivation and the number of neurons present in the co-culture. Cycloheximide and actinomycin D inhibited the induction of glutamine synthetase in astrocytes by neurons, whereas cytosine arabinoside had no apparent effect. Results suggest that this induction of glutamine synthetase in astrocytes is mediated by cell contact with neurons and may represent a specific neuronal and glial interaction.

Transferrin: an early marker of oligodendrocytes in culture

In this study, the developmental pattern of transferrin expression, the iron transporting glycoprotein, was investigated morphologically and immunocytochemically in mixed glial cultures as well as pure cultures of mature oligodendrocytes, both derived from newborn rat brain. Double immunofluorescent labeling of pure oligodendrocyte cultures revealed that transferrin co-localizes with the oligodendroglial marker, myelin basic protein. During early development in mixed glial cultures, the presence of transferrin was detected at 3 days in vitro in small round process-bearing cells lying on top of astrocytes. These cells were galactocerebroside negative. However, at 7 days these process-bearing cells began to express galactocerebrosides and transferrin co-localized with the oligodendroglial marker. Transferrin did not co-localize with any neuronal or astroglial markers at any time. These results indicate that transferrin is an oligodendrocyte-specific marker which is expressed earlier than galactocerebroside.

Calmodulin kinase II in pure cultured astrocytes

Calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity was studied in pure neuronal and glial cultures. The addition of calcium and calmodulin stimulated 32P incorporation into several neuronal proteins including two in the 50- and 60-kilodalton (kD) region which comigrated with purified forebrain calmodulin kinase II subunits (CaM kinase II). In mature astrocytes, CaM kinase activity was also present, and was inhibited by trifluoroperazine and diazepam. Again in homogenates of these cells, two phosphoproteins of apparent molecular masses of 50 and 60 kD comigrated with purified CaM kinase. CaM kinase activity was absent in immature mixed glia and oligodendrocytes. The presence of CaM kinase in neurons and mature astrocytes was confirmed using monoclonal antibodies specific for the 50-kD subunit of the enzyme. No immunoreactivity was observed in oligodendrocytes. The presence of CaM kinase in astrocytes suggests a more ubiquitous role of this enzyme in regulating cellular processes than was previously recognized.

The expression of the intermediate filament-associated protein (NAPA-73) is associated with the stage of terminal differentiation of chick brain neurons

The monoclonal antibody E/C8 was originally generated against chicken dorsal root ganglia. The antigen detected by E/C8, NAPA-73, is an intermediate filament-associated protein. NAPA-73 was shown to be one of the earliest neuronal markers to appear during development since it appears in some neuronal precursor cells of the peripheral nervous system during development. Using [3H]thymidine pulse-chase experiments combined with immunocytochemistry, it is shown that the dividing neuroblasts from 6-day-old embryonic chick brains do not express NAPA-73. Only neurons that have undergone their terminal cell division either in the embryo or in cell culture express the E/C8 immunoreactivity. We conclude that E/C8 is a marker for postmitotic neurons in chick brain. The contrast between our findings and previous reports identifying NAPA-73 as one of the earliest neuronal markers may reflect a difference between the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Binding constants of soluble NGF-receptors in rat oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in culture

The neuronotrophic factor NGF binds to peripheral neurons of the dorsal root ganglion and the sympathetic nervous system. NGF binds to a cell surface receptor, NGFR, on these cells and displays Kd's of 10(-9) and 10(-11)M. NGF receptors have also been reported for basal forebrain magnocellular neurons. In addition, NGF specifically binds to NGFR on Schwann cells although the biological significance of this binding is not known. Here we report that NGF binds in a saturable and specific fashion to receptors on cultured isolated populations of rat astrocytes but not to oligodendrocytes. The binding to astrocytes in culture displayed a Kd of 2.7 +/- 1.0 nM with 36,000 receptors per cell.

Inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in cultured astrocytes and oligodendrocytes

Cultures of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were prelabeled with 3H-inositol and the accumulation of 3H-inositol phosphates was determined following stimulation with a number of neuroactive substances. In astrocytes, norepinephrine (NE) produced the greatest stimulation with significant increase also observed with bradykinin. In oligodendrocytes, the greatest stimulation was produced by carbachol with significant increase also produced by bradykinin, histamine and NE. Carbachol was found to be ineffective in producing stimulation in astrocytes. The accumulation of 3H-inositol phosphates in astrocytes in response to NE was found to be dependent on the presence of Li+. The NE stimulation in astrocytes was dose-dependent and had an EC50 of 1.2 microM. This stimulation was blocked by the low concentration of the alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin but not by the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine. The NE-stimulated accumulation of 3H-inositol phosphates in astrocytes was inhibited by the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine as well as by the cAMP analog dibutyryl cAMP.

Synergistic action of thyroid hormone, insulin and hydrocortisone on astrocyte differentiation

We report here on the synergistic regulation of astrocyte development by 3 hormones: thyroid hormone (TH), insulin, and hydrocortisone (HC). Their effect, in a defined serum-free media, on astrocyte morphology, on glia fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining pattern, and on glutamine synthetase (GS) was investigated. TH transformed the flat, polygonal astrocytes into process-bearing cells. This effect was accentuated by insulin, which by itself had no effect on astrocyte morphology. The morphological transformations were accompanied by changes in the pattern of GFAP immunostaining which indicated a more organized and directed cytoskeleton arrangement in the TH-insulin treated cultures. Over 95% of the cells in the culture expressed GFAP. All 3 hormones regulated GS levels. TH increased GS levels by 50% and insulin raised its levels by 3-fold. While having no effect on astrocyte morphology, HC increased GS levels by 3.7-fold in both the hormone-free and insulin-supplemented medium. HC acted synergistically with insulin in its action on GS bringing about a 12-fold increase in the enzyme activity. In contrast, TH did not interact with insulin and was additive with HC in its action on GS. The continuous presence of insulin and TH was required to maintain their morphological and GS effect, suggesting that these hormones might not only be important for astrocyte differentiation, but later on for astrocyte function as well. Since astrocytes interact with and affect neurons and oligodendrocytes, the findings reported here might have bearing on the development and function of these other brain cells as well.

Brain neurons develop in a serum and glial free environment: effects of transferrin, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I and thyroid hormone on neuronal survival, growth and differentiation

We have developed a pure cortical neuronal culture free of glial cells, grown in a serum-free environment. The cultured cells immunostained positively with neurofilament antibody while they displayed virtually no glial cell characteristics, such as glial fibrillary acidic protein, glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase or glutamine synthetase. Insulin and transferrin were necessary and sufficient for neuronal survival, neurite extension and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) expression. Insulin-like growth factor-I was able to replace insulin and was active close to its physiological concentration, suggesting it might be the in vivo factor influencing neuronal growth in the brain. The dynamics of the developmental process were striking. The neurons moved on the poly-D-lysine covered plastic dish, and rearrangements in contacts between cells were observed. At first the neurons underwent a general cellular growth manifested by a large increase in the culture total protein content and by the initiation of neurites. A more specific differentiation, as indicated by the sharp increase in GAD levels which was concurrent with an increase in interneuronal contacts, lagged behind the initial growth. Thyroid hormone (TH) affected the differentiation process, causing a future increase in GAD levels during the same time of increase in neurite growth, in interneuronal contacts, in thyroid hormone receptors and thyroid gland maturation. Removal of each of the hormones after a few days of cell growth revealed that transferrin was still required for neuronal survival while insulin became essential for general cellular growth but not specific neuronal differentiation, since it caused an increase in both the total protein and GAD levels but not in GAD specific activity. TH, on the other hand, affected the differentiation process as evident by its ability to increase GAD specific activity. This action of TH, however, required the presence of insulin, without which no increase in GAD level by TH was observed. This neuronal culture, glial and serum-free, provides a new system for investigating neuronal development and function in the complex mammalian central nervous system.

Capacity for substrate utilization in oxidative metabolism by neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes from developing brain in primary culture

Neuron, astrocyte, and oligodendrocyte cultures which were established from developing rat brain were examined for their utilization of glucose, ketone bodies, and free fatty acids by oxidative processes. 14CO2 production was measured in these cells from [1-14C] or [6-14C]glucose; [1-14C]octanoate and [1-14C], [6-14C], or [16-14C]palmitate; and [3-14C]acetoacetate and D(-)-3-hydroxy[3-14C]butyrate. Pyruvate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.4.1.) and 3-oxoacid-CoA transferase (EC 2.8.3.5) activities were found at high levels in each of the cell populations. Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes produced much more 14CO2 from [1-14C]glucose than from [6-14C]glucose, indicating substantial hexose monophosphate shunt activity. This process was not as active in neurons. All three cell populations readily utilized the ketone bodies for oxidative metabolism at rates 7-9 times greater than they utilized glucose. Only astrocytes were able to utilize fatty acids for 14CO2 production, and the rate of utilization was greater than that of the ketone bodies. We found that the metabolic patterns of these brain cells which were derived from the developing brain complement the nature of the diet of the suckling animal which is rich in fat and low in carbohydrate. They readily utilized the ketone bodies or fatty acids and spared glucose for processes that metabolites of fat cannot fulfill.

Interleukin-2 inhibition of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation depends on expression of the TAC receptor

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been shown to inhibit oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation. Within the immune system, IL-2 biological action is dependent strictly on the expression of the IL-2 receptor. The antibody TAC, which specifically binds the lymphocyte IL-2 receptor, has been shown to also bind oligodendrocyte progenitor cells cultured in a serumless, chemically defined medium. The expression of the TAC antigen was found necessary for IL-2 inhibition of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation. After IL-2 induced down-regulation of the TAC antigen, the progenitor cell was unresponsive to IL-2, even 72 hr after IL-2 withdrawal. During this unresponsive period, the oligodendrocyte progenitor cell was immunocytochemically negative for the TAC antigen. Thus, in contrast to IL-2 receptors on T-cells, IL-2 does not up-regulate its receptor on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. However, upon interleukin 1 (IL-1) addition both IL-2 responsiveness and TAC immunocytochemical staining reappeared. These data suggest that IL-2 inhibition of progenitor cell proliferation depends on the expression of the TAC antigen, which can be regulated by IL-1.

Interleukin 2 mediates the inhibition of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation in vitro

In the immune system, T-lymphocyte proliferation depends on interleukin 2 [IL-2 (T-cell growth factor)] interaction with specific receptors. In this study we show that IL-2 can specifically inhibit the proliferation of neonatal rat oligodendrocyte progenitor cells cultured in a serumless, chemically defined medium (oligodendrocyte-defined medium; ODM). IL-2 inhibited both [3H]thymidine incorporation and increase in cell number. Specificity was shown by precipitating IL-2 activity with anti-IL-2 antiserum. Furthermore, growth inhibition depended on the expression of Tac (an anti-IL-2 receptor monoclonal antibody)-positive receptors (IL-2 receptor). When cells were cultured in the presence of IL-2, both Tac-positive staining and growth inhibition were no longer expressed. The addition of interleukin 1 had no effect on [3H]thymidine incorporation or changes in cell number. However, when IL-1 was subsequently added together with IL-2, Tac expression and IL-2-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation was induced. This inhibitory effect was not due to a sensitive subpopulation because greater than 90% of the culture was Tac positive. Taken together, these data show that IL-2 can specifically inhibit oligodendrocyte proliferation and acts via Tac-positive receptors.

all-trans-Retinoic acid inhibits the appearance of two phorbol ester-induced ornithine decarboxylase mRNAs in mouse epidermis

Two ornithine decarboxylase mRNA species are seen in mouse epidermis in response to the topical application of the phorbol ester tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). This induction occurs in a time- and dose-dependent fashion and appears to be relatively specific as alpha-actin mRNA reveals no change with treatment. Both mRNA species are inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by treating mouse skin with all-trans-retinoic acid prior to TPA. These results indicate that these two compounds are active at the transcriptional level.

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.

Changes in insulin and transferrin requirements of pure brain neuronal cultures during embryonic development

A pure neuronal culture grown in a defined serum-free environment has been developed and characterized. Insulin was the only hormone found to enhance the growth of neurons obtained from embryonic chicken brains during the early proliferative stage, a time when many neurons survived without the addition of any growth factors to the culture. With increasing embryonic age, there was an increase in the number of neurons requiring transferrin. By the time neurons reached a postmitotic state in older brains, they were completely dependent on both insulin and transferrin for survival and growth. Because this culture is free of glial cells and serum, it provides an effective basis for investigating molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal development.

Stability of neuronal and glial marker enzymes in post-mortem rat brain

The enzymatic activities in post-mortem rat brain kept at 4 degrees C and at 25 degrees C were determined for a number of enzymes localized in specific cell types in the central nervous system. Choline acetyltransferase (CAT), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), glutamine synthetase (GS), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide phosphohydrolase (CNPase) were found to be very stable at both 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C with only slight, if any, losses of activity being seen even at periods as long as 72 hr. Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity was less stable than that of the other enzymes. In brains kept at 4 degrees C GAD activity was stable out to 24 hr after which it began to decline rapidly to 65% of control at 72 hr. In brains kept at 25 degrees C, GAD activity was stable for 6-8 hr and then began to steadily decline to 58% of control at 24 hr and 29% of control at 72 hr. Assuming that these enzymes have similar stabilities in post-mortem human brain, the effect of post-mortem delay in processing tissues may be of lesser significance than other factors with regard to the measured enzyme activities in human brain samples.

Thyroid hormone deiodinases in purified primary glial cell cultures

Iodothyronine metabolism was studied in neuroglial cells prepared from neonatal rat cerebri. Astrocytes account for nearly all of the deiodinase activity in mixed glial cell cultures. The predominant pathway is 5-deiodination, which closely resembles the enzyme activity in homogenates of cerebral cortex. Astrocytes cultured in serum-free chemically defined medium show a gradual decrease in 5-deiodination and an increase in 5'-deiodination. Exposure of cells to triiodothyronine partially reverses these changes. Thus, astrocytes contain enzymes for both major deiodinative pathways and may play a role in the regulation of thyroid hormone levels in the brain.