The survival of early chick sympathetic neurons in vitro is dependent on a suitable substrate but independent of NGF

Prox1 identifies proliferating neuroblasts and nascent neurons during neurogenesis in sympathetic ganglia

Neurogenesis in embryonic sympathetic ganglia involves neuroblasts that resume proliferation following neuronal differentiation. As cell cycle exit is not associated with neuronal differentiation, the identity of proliferating neuroblasts is incompletely understood. Here, we use sympathetic ganglia of chick embryos to define the timing of neurogenesis and neuroblast identity focusing on the expression and function of the transcription factor Prox1. We show that a large fraction of neuroblasts has initially withdrawn from the cell cycle at embryonic day 3 (E3), which is reflected by a high proportion of p27(+)/Islet1(+) neuroblasts (63%) and low numbers of EdU(+)/Islet1(+) cells (12%). The proportion of proliferating Islet1(+) neuroblasts, identified by EdU pulse labeling and by the absence of the postmitotic marker p27 increases to reach maximal levels at E5, when virtually all neuroblasts are in the cell cycle (95%). Subsequently, the proportion of EdU-labeled and p27(-) neuroblasts is reduced to reach low levels at E11. Interestingly, the expression of the transcription factor Prox1 is restricted to the neuronal lineage, that is, Sox10(+)/Phox2b(+) neuron progenitors, proliferating p27(-)/Islet1(+) neuroblasts and nascent neurons but is rapidly lost in postmitotic neurons. In vitro and in vivo knockdown and overexpression experiments demonstrate effects of Prox1 in the support of neuroblast proliferation and survival. Taken together, these results define the neurogenesis period in the chick paravertebral sympathetic ganglia including an initial cell cycle withdrawal and identify Prox1 as a marker and regulator of proliferating sympathetic neuroblasts.

Glia cell line-derived neurotrophic factor mediates survival of murine sympathetic precursors

During embryonic development, neurons are first produced in excess, and final numbers are adjusted by apoptosis at later stages. Crucial to this end is the amount of target-derived growth factor available for the neurons. By this means, the target size correctly matches the innervating neuron number. This target-derived survival has been well studied for sympathetic neurons, and nerve growth factor (NGF) was identified to be the crucial factor for maintaining sympathetic neurons at late embryonic and early postnatal stages, with a virtual complete loss of sympathetic neurons in NGF knockout (KO) mice. This indicates that all sympathetic neurons are dependent on NGF. However, also different glia cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) KO mice consistently presented a loss of sympathetic neurons. This was the rationale for investigating the role of GDNF for sympathetic precursor/neuron survival. Here we show that GDNF is capable of promoting survival of 30% sympathetic precursors dissociated at E13. This is in line with data from GDNF KOs in which a comparable sympathetic neuron loss was observed at late embryonic stages, although the onset of the phenotype was unclear. We further present data showing that GDNF ligand and canonical receptors are expressed in sympathetic neurons especially at embryonic stages, raising the possibility of an autocrine/paracrine GDNF action. Finally, we show that GDNF also maintained neonatal sympathetic neurons (40%) cultured for 2 days. However, the GDNF responsiveness was lost at 5 days in vitro.

The Gata3 transcription factor is required for the survival of embryonic and adult sympathetic neurons

The transcription factor Gata3 is essential for the development of sympathetic neurons and adrenal chromaffin cells. As Gata3 expression is maintained up to the adult stage, we addressed its function in differentiated sympathoadrenal cells at embryonic and adult stages by conditional Gata3 elimination. Inactivation of Gata3 in embryonic DBH-expressing neurons elicits a strong reduction in neuron numbers due to apoptotic cell death and reduced proliferation. No selective effect on noradrenergic gene expression (TH and DBH) was observed. Interestingly, Gata3 elimination in DBH-expressing neurons of adult animals also results in a virtually complete loss of sympathetic neurons. In the Gata3-deficient population, the expression of anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and NFkappaB) is diminished, whereas the expression of pro-apoptotic genes (Bik, Bok, and Bmf) was increased. The expression of noradrenergic genes (TH and DBH) is not affected. These results demonstrate that Gata3 is continuously required for maintaining survival but not differentiation in the sympathetic neuron lineage up to mature neurons of adult animals.

Development of the autonomic nervous system: a comparative view

In this review we summarize current understanding of the development of autonomic neurons in vertebrates. The mechanisms controlling the development of sympathetic and enteric neurons have been studied in considerable detail in laboratory mammals, chick and zebrafish, and there are also limited data about the development of sympathetic and enteric neurons in amphibians. Little is known about the development of parasympathetic neurons apart from the ciliary ganglion in chicks. Although there are considerable gaps in our knowledge, some of the mechanisms controlling sympathetic and enteric neuron development appear to be conserved between mammals, avians and zebrafish. For example, some of the transcriptional regulators involved in the development of sympathetic neurons are conserved between mammals, avians and zebrafish, and the requirement for Ret signalling in the development of enteric neurons is conserved between mammals (including humans), avians and zebrafish. However, there are also differences between species in the migratory pathways followed by sympathetic and enteric neuron precursors and in the requirements for some signalling pathways.

Extracellular signals regulating sympathetic neuron survival and target innervation during development

The comparative ease with which paravertebral sympathetic neurons are studied in vitro and in vivo at stages throughout their development has facilitated major advances in our understanding of several key aspects of neuronal development. Detailed anatomical descriptions of the in vivo development of these neurons, studies of the effects of various extracellular signalling molecules on these neurons in vitro and analysis of the sympathetic phenotype of relevant transgenic mice have provided an in-depth understanding of how different extracellular signals orchestrate sequential steps in the establishment and refinement of sympathetic innervation. In this review, I will document the roles of neurotrophic factors, cytokines and other extracellular signals in regulating sympathetic neuron survival and target innervation at sequential stages of development.

The bHLH transcription factor Hand2 is essential for the maintenance of noradrenergic properties in differentiated sympathetic neurons

The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Hand2 is essential for the proliferation and noradrenergic differentiation of sympathetic neuron precursors during development. Here we address the function of Hand2 in postmitotic, differentiated sympathetic neurons. Knockdown of endogenous Hand2 in cultured E12 chick sympathetic neurons by siRNA results in a significant (about 60%) decrease in the expression of the noradrenergic marker genes dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). In contrast, expression of the pan-neuronal genes TuJ1, HuC and SCG10 was not affected. To analyze the in vivo role of Hand2 in differentiated sympathetic neurons we used mice harboring a conditional Hand2-null allele and excised the gene by expression of Cre recombinase under control of the DBH promotor. Mouse embryos homozygous for Hand2 gene deletion showed decreased sympathetic neuron number and TH expression was strongly reduced in the residual neuron population. The in vitro Hand2 knockdown also enhances the CNTF-induced expression of the cholinergic marker genes vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the Hand2 transcription factor plays a key role in maintaining noradrenergic properties in differentiated neurons.

The hippocampal laminin matrix is dynamic and critical for neuronal survival

Laminins are extracellular matrix proteins that participate in neuronal development, survival, and regeneration. During excitotoxin challenge in the mouse hippocampus, neuron interaction with laminin-10 (alpha5,beta1,gamma1) protects against neuronal death. To investigate how laminin is involved in neuronal viability, we infused laminin-1 (alpha1,beta1,gamma1) into the mouse hippocampus. This infusion specifically disrupted the endogenous laminin layer. This disruption was at least partially due to the interaction of the laminin-1 gamma1 chain with endogenous laminin-10, because infusion of anti-laminin gamma1 antibody had the same effect. The disruption of the laminin layer by laminin-1 1) did not require the intact protein because infusion of plasmin-digested laminin-1 gave similar results; 2) was posttranscriptional, because there was no effect on laminin mRNA expression; and 3) occurred in both tPA(-/-) and plasminogen(-/-) mice, indicating that increased plasmin activity was not responsible. Finally, although tPA(-/-) mice are normally resistant to excitotoxin-induced neurodegeneration, disruption of the endogenous laminin layer by laminin-1 or anti-laminin gamma1 antibody renders the tPA(-/-) hippocampal neurons sensitive to kainate. These results demonstrate that neuron interactions with the deposited matrix are not necessarily recapitulated by interactions with soluble components and that the laminin matrix is a dynamic structure amenable to modification by exogenous molecules.

Ten years on: mediation of cell death by the common neurotrophin receptor p75(NTR)

The common neurotrophin receptor p75(NTR) remains one of the most enigmatic of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily: on the one hand, it displays a death domain and has been shown to be capable of mediating programmed cell death (PCD) upon ligand binding; on the other hand, its death domain is of type II (unlike that of Fas or TNFR I), and it has also been shown to be capable of mediating cell death in response to the withdrawal of ligand. Thus, p75(NTR) may function as a death receptor-similar to Fas or TNFR I-or a dependence receptor-similar to deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) or uncoordinated gene-5 homologues 1-3 (UNC5H1-3). Here, we review the data relating to the mediation of PCD by p75(NTR), and suggest that one reasonable model for the apparently paradoxical effects of p75(NTR) is that this receptor functions as a "quality control" in that it is capable of mediating PCD in at least four situations: (1). withdrawal of neurotrophins; (2). exposure to mismatched neurotrophins; (3). exposure to unprocessed neurotrophins; and (4). exposure of inappropriately immature cells to neurotrophins. Results to date suggest that these functions are mediated through different underlying mechanisms, and that their respective signaling pathways are cell type and co-receptor dependent.

Laminin chain expression suggests that laminin-10 is a major isoform in the mouse hippocampus and is degraded by the tissue plasminogen activator/plasmin protease cascade during excitotoxic injury

Laminins are important components of the extracellular matrix, and participate in neuronal development, survival and regeneration. The tissue plasminogen activator/plasmin extracellular protease cascade and downstream laminin degradation are implicated in excitotoxin-induced neuronal degeneration. To determine which specific laminin chains are involved, we investigated the expression of laminins in the hippocampus, and the cell types expressing them. Reverse transcription-PCR demonstrated that the messenger RNAs for all laminin chains could be detected in the hippocampus. To determine the localization of laminin chain expression, immunostaining was used. This method showed that alpha5, beta1 and gamma1 are most highly expressed in the neuronal cell layers. Immunoblotting confirmed the hippocampal expression of the chains alpha5, beta1 and gamma1, and RNA in situ hybridization showed a neuronal expression pattern of alpha5, beta1 and gamma1. At early time points following intrahippocampal injection of kainate, alpha5, beta1 and gamma1 chain immunoreactivities were lost. In addition, tissue plasminogen activator-deficient mice, which are resistant to kainate-induced neuronal death, show no significant change in laminins alpha5, beta1 and gamma1 after intrahippocampal kainate injection. Taken together, these results suggest that laminin-10 (alpha5-beta1-gamma1) comprises a major neuronal laminin in the mouse hippocampus, and is degraded before neuronal death during excitotoxic injury by the tissue plasminogen activator/plasmin protease cascade. By identifying a neuronal laminin (laminin-10) that participates in neuronal degeneration after excitotoxic injury, this study clarifies the molecular definition of the extracellular matrix in the hippocampus and further defines a pathway for mechanisms of neuronal death.

Neuronal cell death, nerve growth factor and neurotrophic models: 50 years on

Viktor Hamburger has just died at the age of 100. It is 50 years since he and Rita Levi-Montalcini laid the foundations for the study of naturally occurring cell death and of neurotrophic factors in the nervous system. In a period of less than 10 years, from 1949 to 1958, Hamburger and Levi-Montalcini made the following seminal discoveries: that neuron cell death occurs in dorsal root ganglia, sympathetic ganglia and the cervical column of motoneurons; that the predictions arising from this observation, namely that survival is dependent on the supply of a trophic factor, could be substantiated by studying the effects of a sarcoma on the proliferation of ganglionic processes both in vivo and in vitro; and that the proliferation of these processes could be used as an assay system to isolate the factor. This work provides a short review mostly of the early history of this subject in the context of the Hamburger/Levi-Montalcini paradigm. This acts as an introduction to a consideration of models that have been proposed to account for how the different sources of growth factors provide for the survival of neurons during development. It is suggested that what has been called the 'social-control' model provides the most parsimonious quantitative description of the contribution of trophic factors to neuronal survival, a concept for which we are in debt to Viktor Hamburger and Rita Levi-Montalcini.

Msx-2 and p21 mediate the pro-apoptotic but not the anti-proliferative effects of BMP4 on cultured sympathetic neuroblasts

The differentiation, survival, and proliferation of developing sympathetic neuroblasts are all coordinately promoted by neurotrophins. In this study, we demonstrate that bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), a factor known to be necessary for the differentiation of sympathetic neurons (Schneider et al., 1999), conversely reduces both survival and proliferation of cultured E14 sympathetic neuroblasts. The anti-proliferative effects of BMP4 occur more rapidly than the pro-apoptotic actions and appear to involve different intracellular mechanisms. BMP4 treatment induces expression of the transcription factor Msx-2 and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(CIP1/WAF1) (p21). Treatment of cells with oligonucleotides antisense to either of these genes prevents cell death after BMP4 treatment but does not significantly alter the anti-proliferative effects. Thus Msx-2 and p21 are necessary for BMP4-mediated cell death but not for promotion of exit from cell cycle. Although treatment of cultured E14 sympathetic neuroblasts with neurotrophins alone did not alter cell numbers, BMP4-induced cell death was prevented by co-treatment with either neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) or nerve growth factor (NGF). This suggests that BMP4 may also induce dependence of the cells on neurotrophins for survival. Thus, sympathetic neuron numbers may be determined in part by factors that inhibit the proliferation and survival of neuroblasts and make them dependent upon exogenous factors for survival.

Enteric neuroblasts require the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway for GDNF-stimulated proliferation

The enteric nervous system (ENS) develops from neural crest cells that enter the gut, migrate, proliferate, and differentiate into neurons and glia. The growth factor glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) stimulates the proliferation and survival of enteric crest-derived cells. We investigated the intracellular signaling pathways activated by GDNF and their involvement in proliferation. We found that GDNF stimulates the phosphorylation of both the PI 3-kinase downstream substrate Akt and the MAP kinase substrate ERK in cultures of immunoaffinity-purified embryonic avian enteric crest-derived cells. The selective PI 3-kinase inhibitor LY-294002 blocked GDNF-stimulated Akt phosphorylation in purified crest cells, and reduced proliferation in cultures of dissociated quail gut. The ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitors PD 98059 and UO126 did not reduce GDNF-stimulated proliferation, although PD 98059 blocked GDNF-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK. We conclude that the PI 3-kinase pathway is necessary for the GDNF-stimulated proliferation of enteric neuroblasts.

Expression of neurexin Ialpha splice variants in sympathetic neurons: selective changes during differentiation and in response to neurotrophins

Neurexins are a surprisingly diverse group of alternatively spliced proteins possibly involved in neural cell recognition processes. We find neurexin Ialpha and its splice variants highly conserved between mammals and birds. In vivo, neurexin Ialpha is expressed in sympathetic neurons during target innervation and relative expression levels of splice variants change with development. In vitro, no such changes are observed in the absence of growth factors, indicating that interactions with the environment are required to modify the splicing pattern. Specific alterations in splice variant expression are induced in vitro by neurotrophins. Expression patterns of splice variants in vivo and neurotrophin-induced regulation without changes in cell composition in vitro demonstrate that neurexin splice variant expression varies during differentiation of individual neurons. Our data suggest that changes in neurexin splice variants contribute to alterations of neuronal cell surface properties during target innervation.

The expression of dopamine beta-hydroxylase, tyrosine hydroxylase, and Phox2 transcription factors in sympathetic neurons: evidence for common regulation during noradrenergic induction and diverging regulation later in development

During differentiation of sympathetic neurons in chick embryos, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) mRNAs become detectable during the same developmental period and are both induced by BMP 4. Later during sympathetic ganglion development, DBH is detectable in TH-positive and -negative cells. Moreover, BMPs reduce DBH mRNA in cultures of sympathetic neurons while leaving TH unaffected. The data provide evidence for a common regulation of TH and DBH early during sympathetic neuron differentiation and indicate that BMPs promote their initial expression but not the maintenance during later development. The time course of Phox2a and 2b expression suggests an evolutionary conserved role in noradrenergic induction. In addition, Phox2a, Phox2b, and c-ret may be involved in the differentiation of cholinergic sympathetic neurons.

Subpopulations of rat B2(+) neuroblasts exhibit differential neurotrophin responsiveness during sympathetic development

Sympathetic neurons comprise a population of postmitotic, tyrosine hydroxylase expressing cells whose survival is dependent upon nerve growth factor (NGF) both in vivo and in vitro. However, during development precursors to rat sympathetic neurons in the thoracolumbar region are not responsive to NGF because they lack the signal transducing NGF receptor, trkA. We have previously shown that acquisition of trkA expression is sufficient to confer a functional response to NGF. Here we describe four subpopulations of thoracolumbar sympathetic neuroblasts which are mitotically active and unresponsive to NGF at E13.5 of rat gestation, but differ based upon their neurotrophic responsiveness in vitro. The survival in culture of the largest sympathetic subpopulation is mediated by neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) or glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), whereas the cell survival of two smaller subpopulations of neuroblasts are mediated by either solely GDNF or solely NT-3. Finally, we identify a subpopulation of sympathetic neuroblasts in the thoracolumbar region whose survival, exit from the cell cycle, induction of trkA expression, and consequent acquisition of NGF responsiveness in culture appear to be neurotrophin independent and cell autonomous. These subpopulations reflect the diversity of neurotrophic actions that occur in the proper development of sympathetic neurons.

Selective regulation of trkC expression by NT3 in the developing peripheral nervous system

We have studied the influence of neurotrophin-3 (NT3) on the expression of its receptor tyrosine kinase, trkC, in embryonic mice. The expression of trkC transcripts encoding full-length and kinase-deficient receptors was almost entirely restricted to neurons in the trigeminal ganglion and increased markedly throughout development. In NT3(+/-) embryos, the level of trkC mRNA in the trigeminal ganglion was much lower than that in wild-type embryos, although there was no significant reduction in the total number of neurons in the ganglion. This demonstrates that endogenous NT3 regulates trkC expression in trigeminal neurons independently of changes in population size. In NT3(-/-) embryos, the number of neurons in the trigeminal ganglion was much lower than in wild-type embryos, and there was a further reduction in the mean neuronal level of trkC mRNA. Direct regulation of trkC mRNA expression in cultured trigeminal neurons was also observed, although the finding that trkC mRNA levels were sustained better in explant cultures than in dissociated cultures irrespective of the presence of NT3 suggests that trkC mRNA expression is regulated by additional factors within the ganglion. In contrast to trigeminal neurons, the level of trkC mRNA was sustained at normal levels in neurons of the sympathetic chain of NT3(-/-) embryos and was not increased by NT3 in sympathetic neuron cultures. TrkC mRNA expression in developing cutaneous tissues was also unaffected by the NT3 null mutation. In summary, our findings provide the first clear evidence that the expression of a trk receptor, tyrosine kinase, is regulated by physiological levels of its ligand in vivo and show that regulation by NT3 is cell type-specific.

Restriction of developmental potential during divergence of the enteric and sympathetic neuronal lineages

In the peripheral nervous system, enteric and sympathetic neurons develop from multipotent neural crest cells. While local environmental signals in the gut and in the region of the sympathetic ganglia play a role in the choice of cell fate, little is known about the mechanisms that underlie restriction to specific neuronal phenotypes. We investigated the divergence and restriction of the enteric and sympathetic neuronal lineages using immuno-isolated neural crest-derived cells from the gut and sympathetic ganglia. Analysis of neuronal and lineage-specific mRNAs and proteins indicated that neural crest-derived cells from the gut and sympathetic ganglia had initiated neuronal differentiation and phenotypic divergence by E14.5 in the rat. We investigated the developmental potential of these cells using expression of tyrosine hydroxylase as a marker for a sympathetic phenotype. Tyrosine hydroxylase expression was examined in neurons that developed from sympathetic and enteric neuroblasts under the following culture conditions: culture alone; coculture with gut monolayers to promote enteric differentiation; or coculture with dorsal aorta monolayers to promote noradrenergic differentiation. Both enteric and sympathetic neuroblasts displayed developmental plasticity at E14.5. Sympathetic neuroblasts downregulated tyrosine hydroxylase in response to signals from the gut environment and enteric neuroblasts increased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase when grown on dorsal aorta or in the absence of other cell types. Tracking of individual sympathetic cells displaying a neuronal morphology at the time of plating indicated that neuroblasts retained phenotypic plasticity even after initial neuronal differentiation had occurred. By E19.5 both enteric and sympathetic neuroblasts had undergone a significant loss of their developmental potential, with most neuroblasts retaining their lineage-specific phenotype in all environments tested. Together our data indicate that the developmental potential of enteric and sympathetic neuroblasts becomes restricted over time and that this restriction takes place not as a consequence of initial neuronal differentiation but during the period of neuronal maturation. Further, we have characterized a default pathway of adrenergic differentiation in the enteric nervous system and have defined a transient requirement for gut-derived factors in the maintenance of the enteric neuronal phenotype.

Regulation of neurotrophin receptor expression by retinoic acid in mouse sympathetic neuroblasts

We have studied the effect of retinoic acid on the expression of the neurotrophin receptors trkA, trkC, and p75 by neuroblasts and neurons at different axial levels along the embryonic mouse paravertebral sympathetic chain. In dissociated cultures of sympathetic neuroblasts, retinoic acid inhibited the developmental increase in trkA mRNA expression and the developmental decrease in trkC mRNA expression that normally occurs in these cells but did not affect p75 mRNA expression. At higher concentrations, retinoic acid also increased the proliferation of sympathetic neuroblasts. After sympathetic neuroblasts became postmitotic, retinoic acid no longer affected receptor expression. Studies with retinoic acid receptor agonists and antagonists indicated that the effects of retinoic acid on neurotrophin receptor expression were mediated mainly by alpha retinoic acid receptors, not beta or gamma receptors. The observation that alpha-antagonists increased trkA mRNA expression in intact sympathetic ganglion explants suggests that endogenous retinoic acid is a physiological regulator of trkA receptor expression.

Activated isoforms of MMP-2 are induced in U87 human glioma cells in response to beta-amyloid peptide

Prior studies using rat primary hippocampal cultures indicated induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in response to beta-amyloid (A beta). Hence, it was of interest to determine whether MMP activity in a human cell line is influenced by A beta. A beta, but not interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), stimulated an active form of MMP-2 in human U87 glioblastoma cells, as well as increased the expression of the well-known activator of MMP-2, membrane-type (MT)-MMP. Activation experiments carried out with amino phenyl mercuric acetate (APMA), immunoprecipitation, as well as immunoblotting, suggest that the lower molecular weight, gelatin-degrading activity was an activated form of MMP-2. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that a synthetic furin convertase inhibitor, decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-chloromethylketone, decreased the production of A beta-induced active MMP-2 in U87 cells. The induction of MMP-3 by cytokines, but not by A beta, suggests that the effect of A beta on MMP-2 is selective. Although A beta stimulated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), there was no obvious effect of A beta on TIMP-2 production in U87 cells. These results demonstrate that A beta induces an active form of MMP-2 likely by increasing the expression of MT-MMP in a human glioblastoma cell line. Active MMP-2 may degrade A beta or act on ECM components critical in neuronal survival mechanisms and possibly play a role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology.

Multiple roles for hepatocyte growth factor in sympathetic neuron development

We have studied the role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/Met signaling in the development of sympathetic neuroblasts and neurons. Anti-HGF antibodies reduced the number of sympathetic neuroblasts that differentiated into neurons, but neither anti-HGF antibodies nor HGF affected neuroblast proliferation. Anti-HGF antibodies also reduced the survival of neuroblasts but not sympathetic neurons. HGF greatly enhanced the neurite outgrowth of NGF-dependent sympathetic neurons throughout development. These in vitro effects of anti-HGF antibodies and HGF were abolished by a disabling mutation of Met, the HGF receptor tyrosine kinase. The Met mutation also increased sympathetic neuroblast apoptosis in vivo. Because Met and HGF are expressed in sympathetic ganglia throughout development, it is possible that the multiple effects of HGF/Met signaling on sympathetic neuroblasts and neurons occur in part by an autocrine mechanism.

Extracellular matrix modulates mesangial cell apoptosis and mRNA expression of cathepsin-B and tissue transglutaminase

Mesangial matrix is a dynamic structure which modulates mesangial cell function. Since accumulation of matrix precedes the development of focal glomerulosclerosis, we studied the effect of different matrices on mesangial cell (MC) apoptosis. Suspended mesangial cells became apoptotic in a time dependent manner. Collagen type III did not modulate MC apoptosis when compared to cells grown on plastic. MCs grown on Matrigel, collagen type I and IV showed an increased number of apoptotic cells when compared to MCs grown on plastic. DNA end-labeling further confirmed these observations. MCs grown on Matrigel showed enhanced (P < 0.05) mRNA expression for tissue transglutaminase (TTG) and cathepsin-B. Mesangial cells grown on Matrigel also showed enhanced expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD). We conclude that mesangial cells require attachment to the matrix for their survival and alteration of the quality of matrix modulates mesangial cell apoptosis.

Neuronal death in the hippocampus is promoted by plasmin-catalyzed degradation of laminin

Excess excitatory amino acids can provoke neuronal death in the hippocampus, and the extracellular proteases tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasmin (ogen) have been implicated in this death. To investigate substrates for plasmin that might influence neuronal degeneration, extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression was examined. Laminin is expressed in the hippocampus and disappears after excitotoxin injection. Laminin disappearance precedes neuronal death, is spatially coincident with regions that exhibit neuronal loss, and is blocked by either tPA-deficiency or infusion of a plasmin inhibitor, both of which also block neuronal degeneration. Preventing neuron-laminin interaction by infusion of anti-laminin antibodies into tPA-deficient mice restores excitotoxic sensitivity to their hippocampal neurons. These results indicate that disruption of neuron-ECM interaction via tPA/plasmin catalyzed degradation of laminin sensitizes hippocampal neurons to cell death.

Studies of neurotrophin biology in the developing trigeminal system

The accessibility of the primary sensory neurons of the trigeminal system at stages throughout their development in avian and mammalian embryos and the ease with which these neurons can be studied in vivo has facilitated investigation of several fundamental aspects of neurotrophin biology. Studies of the timing and sequence of action of neurotrophins and the expression of neurotrophins and their receptors in this well characterised neuronal system have led to a detailed understanding of the functions of neurotrophins in neuronal development. The concepts of neurotrophin independent survival, neurotrophin switching and neurotrophin cooperativity have largely arisen from work on the trigeminal system. Moreover, in vitro studies of trigeminal neurons provided some of the first evidence that the neurotrophin requirements of sensory neurons are related to sensory modality. The developing trigeminal system has been studied most extensively in mice and chickens, each of which has particular advantages for understanding different aspects of neurotrophin biology. In this review, I will outline these advantages and describe some of the main findings that have arisen from this work.

The developmental expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and the neuropeptide VIP in chick sympathetic neurons: evidence for different regulatory events in cholinergic differentiation

Cholinergic properties in chick sympathetic neurons are detectable early during development of paravertebral ganglia and mature after target contact. The cholinergic marker choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) is first detectable at embryonic day 6 and its expression partly overlaps with that of the noradrenergic marker tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). At late embryonic stages, when sympathetic neurons have established target contact, ganglia consist of two major neuronal populations, TH-positive noradrenergic neurons and cholinergic neurons that at this stage express vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in addition to ChAT. The maturation of sympathetic neurons is paralleled by changes in their response to the neurokine ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). These findings suggest that expression of neurotransmitter properties is controlled differentially before and during target innervation.

Survival-promoting activity of inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases on primary neurons correlates with inhibition of c-Jun kinase-1

Cyclin-dependent kinases and mitogen-activated protein kinases have been implicated in the regulation of cellular survival and apoptosis. We tested the effect of two mitogen-activated/cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, olomoucine and butyrolactone I, on the in vitro survival of chick embryonic neurons. Sensory, sympathetic, and ciliary neurons, when prepared at their respective time point of programmed cell death, could be rescued from apoptosis by both inhibitors in a dose-dependent fashion. In contrast, dividing sympathetic precursors underwent apoptosis when treated with olomoucine, but not butyrolactone I, at the same range of concentration. With similar potency, olomoucine and butyrolactone I inhibited immunocomplex c-Jun kinase activity. Both substances inhibited neurite outgrowth in a dose-dependent manner; developmentally younger neurons were more sensitive to this effect than older ones. These results suggest that certain mitogen-activated/cyclin-dependent kinases associated with cell division in neuronal precursors (i) may become essential components of the apoptotic machinery by the time neurons reach their phase of naturally occurring cell death and (ii) may be necessary for neurite outgrowth during development.

TrkA expression levels of sympathetic neurons correlate with NGF-dependent survival during development and after treatment with retinoic acid

Sympathetic neurons depend on the classical neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF) for survival by the time they innervate their targets, but not before. The acquisition of NGF responsiveness is thought to be controlled by environmental cues in sympathetic neurons. We have investigated the expression of the signal transducing NGF receptor trkA on mRNA and protein level during development of chick sympathetic neurons obtained from lumbosacral, paravertebral chain ganglia between embryonic days (E) 6.5 and 10. We demonstrate that trkA mRNA levels increase between E6.5 and E10, whereas the levels of trkC and p75 do not change. We also observed a similar increase in trkA protein during this time period. This increase correlates with the increase in NGF-dependent survival of sympathetic neurons from the corresponding stages in vitro. To define the correlation between trkA expression and NGF-mediated survival in more detail, trkA expression was adjusted to different levels by treatment with increasing concentrations of retinoic acid. We observed that small changes of trkA mRNA expression levels, below one order of magnitude, are decisive for the ability of immature sympathetic neurons to survive in the presence of NGF. A small and transient increase in trkA mRNA expression was also elicited in vivo by application of retinoids. These data provide evidence that sympathetic neurons upregulate the NGF receptor trkA and in this way acquire NGF-dependency.

Sympathetic neuron survival and TrkA expression in NT3-deficient mouse embryos

Several in vitro and in vivo studies have led to the widely accepted view that NT3 is required for sympathetic neuroblast survival, induction of TrkA expression and the acquisition of NGF dependence. However, we show that the number of neurons and the levels of trkA and p75 mRNAs in the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion (SCG) of NT3-/- mouse embryos increase normally up to E16, 2 days after SCG neurons start responding to NGF. At E18 and in the postnatal period, there are significant reductions in the number of SCG neurons and in the levels of trkA and p75 mRNAs. These results show that the neurotrophin survival requirements of SCG neurons do not switch from NT3 to NGF during development and that NT3 is not required for the expression of TrkA and p75 and the acquisition of NGF dependence. Rather, some sympathetic neurons have a late requirement for NT3 at the time when they also depend on NGF for survival. The expression of transcripts encoding catalytic TrkC is negligible at this stage, suggesting that NT3 acts mainly via TrkA.

Fibronectin suppresses apoptosis in normal human melanocytes through an integrin-dependent mechanism

Recent reports show that components of the extracellular matrix function as cell survival factors through the suppression of apoptosis (programmed cell death). In this report we show that attachment to fibronectin suppresses apoptosis of normal human fetal and neonatal melanocytes in vitro and that prevention of attachment to underlying matrix or attachment to poly-L-lysine is a potent inducer of apoptosis in melanocytes. A role for the beta1-integrin family in mediating cell survival signals was shown by the ability of beta1-blocking antibodies to enhance apoptosis in melanocytes attached to fibronectin, and by the ability of anti-beta1 antibodies immobilized on solid supports to suppress apoptosis in melanocytes. Cytochalasin D reversed the effect of fibronectin on the suppression of apoptosis in melanocytes, suggesting that an intact cytoskeleton is required for transduction of survival signals. A human metastatic melanoma cell line, SKMEL28, was resistant to apoptosis when grown in suspension or on poly-L-lysine, even after 4 d in culture in the absence of exogenous growth factors. These results suggest that fibronectin suppresses apoptosis in normal human melanocytes through an integrin-dependent pathway and that significant differences in the control of anchorage-dependent regulation of apoptosis exist in melanocytes and melanoma cells.

Neurotrophin switching: where does it stand?

In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that certain populations of neurons switch their survival requirements from one neurotrophin to another during an early stage in their development. Although there is good evidence for neurotrophin switching in sensory neurons, the evidence for switching in sympathetic neurons has become more controversial, as has the identity of the factors that regulate their responsiveness to particular neurotrophins.

TrkA, but not TrkC, receptors are essential for survival of sympathetic neurons in vivo

Neurotrophins and their signaling receptors, the Trk family of protein tyrosine kinases, play a major role in the development of the mammalian nervous system. To determine the precise stages that require Trk receptor signaling during development of the sympathetic system, we have analyzed the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) of embryonic and postnatal mice defective for each of the known Trk receptors. Transcripts encoding TrkC are detected in early sympathetic development, before the coalescence of the SCG. trkA expression appears at E13.5, becoming robust from E15.5 onward. In contrast, trkC expression decreases significantly after E15.5 and remains detectable only in a small subpopulation of cells. No significant trkB expression could be detected in the SCG at any developmental stage. Ablation of TrkA receptors does not affect neurogenesis, expression of neuronal markers, or initial axonal growth. However, these receptors are absolutely necessary for the survival of sympathetic neurons after E15.5 and for proper innervation of their distal targets. In contrast, mice defective for either TrkC or TrkB tyrosine kinase receptors do not display detectable defects in their SCGs. These results illustrate the differential roles of the Trk family of receptors during SCG development and define a critical role for TrkA signaling in the survival, but not differentiation, of SCG neurons. Moreover, these observations raise the possibility that at least some SCG neurons become neurotrophin-dependent before complete target innervation.

Timing and regulation of trkB and BDNF mRNA expression in placode-derived sensory neurons and their targets

The sensory neurons of the vestibular and nodose ganglia of the chicken embryo have nearby and distant targets, respectively. In vitro studies have shown that these neurons survive independently of neurotrophins when their axons are growing to their targets and become dependent on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) for survival when their axons reach the vicinity of their targets. Although the timing of BDNF dependence is principally controlled by an intrinsic timing mechanism in the neurons, the onset of dependence can be accelerated by BDNF exposure toward the end of the phase of neurotrophin independence. We have used quantitative reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction to study the expression of transcripts coding for BDNF and the catalytic isoform of its receptor tyrosine kinase, TrkB, in these neurons and their targets at different stages of development. We show that the peripheral and central target tissues of these neurons express BDNF mRNA prior to the arrival of sensory axons. Vestibular neurons express trkB mRNA before nodose neurons, which accords with the earlier response of vestibular neurons to BDNF. In culture, early nodose neurons start expressing trkB mRNA after 36 h incubation, which is 36 h before these neurons become dependent on BDNF for survival. Although BDNF does not affect the timing and level of trkB mRNA expression during the first 48 h in vitro, it increases the level of trkB mRNA after this time. The timing of BDNF-induced elevation of trkB mRNA correlates with the period during which BDNF exposure accelerates the onset of BDNF dependence in nodose neurons. These results suggest that the timing of BDNF dependence in developing sensory neurons is due in part to expression of catalytic TrkB and demonstrate that a BDNF autocrine loop is not required for the survival of sensory neurons during the earliest stages of their development.

A reciprocal cell-cell interaction mediated by NT-3 and neuregulins controls the early survival and development of sympathetic neuroblasts

Neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) can support the survival of some embryonic sympathetic neuroblasts before they become nerve growth factor dependent. We show that NT-3 is produced in vivo by nonneuronal cells neighboring embryonic sympathetic ganglia. NT-3 mRNA is produced by these nonneuronal cells in vitro and is up-regulated by platelet-derived growth factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, and glial growth factor 2 (a neuregulin). Nonneuronal cell-conditioned medium promotes survival and induces TrkA expression in isolated sympathetic neuroblasts, and this activity is blocked by anti-NT-3 antibody. Neuroblasts also enhance NT-3 production by nonneural cells. Neuroblasts synthesize several forms of neuregulin, and antibodies to neuregulin attenuate the effect of the neuroblasts on the nonneuronal cells. These data suggest a reciprocal cell-cell interaction, in which neuroblast-derived neuregulins promote NT-3 production by neighboring nonneuronal cells, which in turn promotes neuroblast survival and further differentiation.

Prenatal and postnatal requirements of NT-3 for sympathetic neuroblast survival and innervation of specific targets

Postnatal homozygous neurotrophin-3 mutant mice display a loss of about half the sympathetic superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons (Ernfors, P., Lee, K.-F., Kucera, J. and Jaenisch, R. (1994a) Cell 77, 503–512; Farinas, I., Jones, K. R., Backus, C., Wang, X. Y. and Reichardt, L. F. (1994) Nature 369, 658–661). We found that this loss is caused by excessive apoptosis of sympathetic neuroblasts leading to a failure to generate a normal number of neurons during neurogenesis. NT-3 was also found to be required postnatally. In Nt-3−/− mice, sympathetic fibers failed to invade pineal gland and external ear postnatally; whereas other targets of the external and internal carotid nerves, including the submandibular gland and the iris, displayed a normal complement of sympathetic innervation. Sympathetic fibers of mice carrying one functional copy of the Nt-3 gene (Nt-3+/− mice) invaded the pineal gland, but failed to branch and form a ground plexus. Cultured neonatal sympathetic neurons responded to NT-3 by neurite outgrowth and mRNA upregulation of the NT-3 receptor, trkC. Exogenously administered NT-3 promoted sympathetic growth and rescued the sympathetic target deficit of the mutant mice. We conclude that NT-3 is required for the survival of sympathetic neuroblasts during neurogenesis and for sympathetic innervation and branching in specific targets after birth.

All-trans retinoic acid stimulates and maintains neurite outgrowth in nerve growth factor-supported developing chick embryonic sympathetic neurons

In explanted embryonic chick sympathetic neurons, all-trans retinoic acid (RA) as well as nerve growth factor (NGF) were found to be required for neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth at early stages of development (day 6.5-7) in agreement with previous work (Rodriguez-Tébar and Rohrer [1991] Development 112:813-820). The dependence of neurons on all-trans RA for survival diminished at later stages of development. However, all-trans RA was found to be needed at all stages of development in order to maximize neurite outgrowth. Further, removal of all-trans RA from the cultures led to a rapid degeneration of the formed neurites, demonstrating the essentiality of all-trans RA for both the development of neurites, and for the maintenance of existing neurites in cultured embryonic sympathetic neurons. The mechanism whereby all-trans RA exerts its effects on embryonic sympathetic neurons may involve activation of the nuclear retinoic acid and retinoid-X receptor (RAR and RXR) families. The results of Northern blot analyses and/or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) studies show that embryonic sympathetic ganglia express RAR beta, RAR gamma and RXR gamma mRNAs. RXR gamma mRNA is expressed at highest levels in immature neurons that are not yet responsive to NGF (day 6.5-7) and message levels decline with increasing developmental age. In contrast, RAR beta transcript levels are barely detectable at day 6.5-7, and increase approximately 4-fold in ganglia from embryos at day 8.5-9 and decline thereafter. RT-PCR studies show that RAR gamma mRNA is expressed both early (day 6.5-7) and late (day 15) in ganglionic development. Transcripts for the NGF receptors, p75NGFR and p140trk were also examined. The appearance of a single 2.7 kb p140trk transcript coincides with the time when RAR beta mRNA is maximally expressed, raising the possibility that NGF receptors may be targets of retinoid action. Evidence is also presented that all-trans RA may enhance neurite outgrowth by mechanisms other than simply inducing NGF-responsiveness of neurons.

GDNF is an age-specific survival factor for sensory and autonomic neurons

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) promotes the survival of two populations of CNS neurons: motoneurons and midbrain dopaminergic neurons. To see whether GDNF promotes the survival of PNS neurons, we studied embryonic chicken autonomic and sensory neurons in culture. We show that GDNF promotes the survival of sympathetic, parasympathetic, proprioceptive, enteroceptive, and small and large cutaneous sensory neurons. Whereas sympathetic, parasympathetic, and proprioceptive neurons become less responsive to GDNF with age, enteroceptive and cutaneous sensory neurons become more responsive. GDNF mRNA is expressed in the tissues innervated by these neurons, and developmental changes in its expression in several tissues mirror the changing responses of the innervating neurons to GDNF. These results show that GDNF promotes the survival of multiple PNS and CNS neurons and suggest that GDNF may be important for regulating the survival of various populations of neurons at different stages of their development.

Effects of nerve growth factor on sympathetic neuron development in normal and limbless chick embryos

Wing bud removal in chick embryos has been shown to affect the generation of sympathetic neurons prior to the normal period of limb innervation [Saltis and Rush (1995) J. auton. nerv. Sys., 51, 117-127.]. Pyknotic activity occurred earlier within the peripherally deprived ganglion, suggesting that a precocious cell death of dividing sympathoblasts led to the reduced neuronal population. We have now sought to test whether the effect of limb bud extirpation can be overcome by the administration of nerve growth factor (NGF). Specifically, the peripherally deprived ganglion has been examined for mitotic activity and total neuronal numbers. In brachial ganglia from the operated side, neuron numbers decreased by 67% by embryonic day (E) 13, but by only 28% when NGF was administered from E9. Ganglia on the unoperated side were unaffected by the NGF treatment. In contrast, in embryos receiving NGF from E5 to E9, neuron numbers in the ganglia increased by more than 100%, on both the intact and operated side. This increase was accompanied by a greater proportion of 3H-thymidine-labelled neurons. We therefore conclude that NGF, in addition to its previously described role of preventing naturally occurring neuron death, can also affect the generation of sympathetic neurons. This ability of NGF to affect gangliogenesis is most likely achieved by increasing the survival of dividing neuroblasts, although a direct effect on mitosis has not been excluded.

Differential regulation of p21ras activation in neurons by nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Neurotrophins activate the Trk tyrosine kinase receptors, which subsequently initiate signaling pathways that have yet to be fully resolved, resulting in neuronal survival and differentiation. The ability of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to activate GTP binding to p21ras was investigated using cultured embryonic chick neurons. In both sympathetic and sensory neurons, the addition of NGF markedly increased the formation of Ras-GTP. The magnitude of the effect was found to depend upon the developmental stage, peaking at embryonic day 11 in sympathetic neurons and at embryonic day 9 in sensory neurons, times when large numbers of neurons depend on NGF for survival. Surprisingly, following the addition of BDNF, no formation of Ras-GTP could be observed in neurons cultured with BDNF. When sensory neurons were cultured with NGF alone, both NGF and BDNF stimulated GTP binding to Ras. In rat cerebellar granule cells, while the acute exposure of these cells to BDNF resulted in the formation Ras-GTP, no response was observed following previous exposure of the cells to BDNF, as was observed with sensory neurons. However, this desensitization was not observed in a transformed cell line expressing TrkB. In neurons, the mechanism underlying the loss of the BDNF response appeared to involve a dramatic loss of binding to cell-surface receptors, as determined by cross-linking with radiolabeled BDNF. Receptor degradation could not account for the desensitization since cell lysates from neurons pretreated with BDNF revealed that the levels of TrkB were comparable to those in untreated cells. These results indicate that in neurons, the pathways activated by NGF and BDNF are differentially regulated and that prolonged exposure to BDNF results in the inability of TrkB to bind its ligand.

Regulation of nerve growth factor receptor gene expression in sympathetic neurons during development

We used quantitative reverse transcription (RT)/PCR to study the regulation of p75 mRNA and trkA mRNA expression in the developing sympathetic neurons of the mouse superior cervical sympathetic ganglion (SCG) in vivo and in vitro. At E13, the SCG contains proliferating cells that express many features of differentiated neurons. These immature neurons survived in culture without NGF, and NGF did not induce c-fos expression. Low levels of p75 and trkA mRNAs were expressed at this stage in vivo. There was no significant increase in the level of either trkA mRNA or p75 mRNA in E13 control cultures up to 72 h in vitro, and neither NGF nor depolarizing levels of K+ ions (40 mM KC1) affected the expression of trkA mRNA. In E14 cultures, NGF induced c-fos expression in 10-15% of the neurons and enhanced the survival of a similar percentage of neurons. The proportion of neurons responding to NGF increased with age, reaching 90% in E18 cultures. The in vivo level of trkA mRNA increased markedly from E14 onward, but in contrast to sensory neurons (in which p75 and trkA mRNA levels increase in parallel), the level of trkA mRNA initially increased far more rapidly than that of p75 mRNA. After E17, the level of p75 mRNA increased rapidly and approached that of trkA mRNA postnatally, but at no stage did this exceed the level of trkA mRNA. In E14 cultures, the level of trkA mRNA increased in the absence of neurotrophins or 40 mM KC1. The level of p75 mRNA in E14 cultures was enhanced by NGF but was unaffected by 40 mM KC1. Our findings show that NGF receptor expression during the earliest stages of sympathetic neuron development is not affected by depolarization but indicate that by an early developmental stage (between E13 and E14 in vivo), sympathetic neurons become specified to upregulate trkA mRNA in culture independently of added factors. In addition, our findings reveal several distinctive features of p75 mRNA and trkA mRNA expression in sympathetic neurons compared with sensory neurons and provide a plausible explanation for previously observed differences in the effects of a p75 null mutation on the response of sensory and sympathetic neurons during embryonic and postnatal development.

Consequences of lack of beta 1 integrin gene expression in mice

beta 1 integrins are cell-surface receptors that mediate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. We have generated a null mutation in the gene for the beta 1 integrin subunit in mice and embryonic stem (ES) cells. Heterozygous mice are indistinguishable from normal littermates. Homozygous null embryos develop normally to the blastocyst stage, implant, and invade the uterine basement membrane but die shortly thereafter. Using beta 1 integrin-deficient ES cells we have established chimeric embryos and adult mice. Analysis of the chimeric embryos demonstrated the presence of beta 1 integrin-deficient cells in all germ layers indicating that beta 1-null cells can differentiate and migrate in a context of normal tissue. When evaluated at embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5), embryos with a beta 1-null cell contribution below 25% were developing normally, whereas embryos with a contribution above this threshold were distorted and showed abnormal morphogenesis. In adult chimeric mice beta 1 integrin-deficient cells failed to colonize liver and spleen but were found in all other tissues analyzed at levels from 2%-25%. Immunostaining of chimeric mice showed that in cardiac muscle, there were small, scattered patches of myocytes that were beta 1-null. In contrast, many myotubes showed some beta 1-null contribution as a result of fusion between wild-type and mutant myoblasts to form mixed myotubes. The adult chimeric brain contained beta 1-null cells in all regions analyzed. Also, tissues derived from the neural crest contained beta 1 integrin-deficient cells indicating that migration of neuronal cells as well as neural crest cells can occur in the absence of beta 1 integrins.

Deletion of beta 1 integrins in mice results in inner cell mass failure and peri-implantation lethality

Integrin receptors for extracellular matrix receptors are important effectors of cell adhesion, differentiation, and migration in cultured cells and are believed to be critical effectors of these processes during development. To determine when beta 1 integrins become critical during embryonic development, we generated mutant mice with a targeted disruption of the beta 1 integrin subunit gene. Heterozygous mutant mice were normal. Homozygous loss of beta 1 integrin expression was lethal during early postimplantation development. Homozygous embryos lacking beta 1 integrins formed normal-looking blastocysts and initiated implantation at E4.5. However, the E4.5 beta 1-null embryos in situ had collapsed blastocoeles, and whereas the trophoblast penetrated the uterine epithelium, extensive invasion of the decidua was not observed. Laminin-positive endoderm cells were detected in the inner cell mass area, but endoderm morphogenesis and migration were defective. By E5.5 beta 1-null embryos had degenerated extensively. In vitro analysis showed that trophoblast function in beta 1-null peri-implantation embryos was largely normal, including expression of tissue-specific markers, and outgrowth on fibronectin- and vitronectin-coated, although not on laminin-coated substrates. In contrast, the inner cell mass region of beta 1-null blastocyst outgrowths, and inner cell masses isolated from beta 1-null blastocysts, showed highly retarded growth and defective extraembryonic endoderm morphogenesis and migration. These data suggest that beta 1 integrins are required for normal morphogenesis of the inner cell mass and are essential mediators of growth and survival of cells of the inner cell mass. Failure of continued trophoblast development in beta 1-null embryos after inner cell mass failure could be attributable to either an intrinsic requirement for beta 1 integrins for later stages of trophoblast development, or to the lack of trophic signals from the beta 1-null inner cell mass.

The expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and the transcription factors cPhox-2 and Cash-1: evidence for distinct inductive steps in the differentiation of chick sympathetic precursor cells

The adrenergic differentiation of sympathetic neurons is controlled by complex interactions with the embryonic environment. To provide a basis for the experimental analysis of these interactions, the expression of the adrenergic marker enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in sympathetic ganglia and the adrenal medulla of chick embryos. In parallel, the developmental expression of the transcription factors cPhox-2 and Cash-1 was analyzed by in situ hybridization. TH protein was first detectable during the third day of development (stage 19) in cells of the primary sympathetic strands. A few hours earlier (stage 18), TH mRNA could be found by in situ hybridization. At the very same time and location, mRNA for the transcription factor cPhox-2 was first observed. In contrast, mRNA for the transcription factor Cash-1 was detected much earlier, at stage 15, dorsal to the aorta where the primary sympathetic ganglia form. High TH mRNA levels are maintained during later embryonic development (stage 35) in both sympathetic ganglia and adrenal chromaffin cells. In contrast, cPhox-2 and Cash-1 mRNA are selectively reduced in chromaffin cells and sympathetic ganglia, respectively. The results show that TH and cPhox-2 are early markers expressed in sympathetic ganglia. Their coordinated expression points towards an inductive event possibly occurring close to the aorta and leading to the expression of an adrenergic phenotype. Cash-1 is detected significantly earlier, suggesting that its expression is induced by a separate event.

Reduced laminin immunoreactivity in the blood vessel wall of ageing rats correlates with reduced innervation in vivo and following transplantation

Changes in extracellular matrix composition and/or organization, and in particular in the ratio of axonal growth-promoting components such as laminin to growth-inhibiting molecules, could contribute to the degenerative changes observed in the innervation of some peripheral tissues in old age. We have investigated this issue by evaluating laminin content or accessibility at various locations on blood vessels where we had previously studied age-related alterations in innervation density. We have employed a morphological approach, measuring laminin immunoreactivity by a densitometric application of confocal microscopy, because more conventional biochemical techniques would have been unable to distinguish specific, localized changes in laminin at sites accessible to nerves from heterogeneous changes in other areas of the vessel wall, such as the endothelial basal lamina. We found that in 24-month-old rats laminin immunoreactivity is decreased by 50% at the medial-adventitial border in association with the outer layer of smooth muscle cells, where a parallel decrease is observed in innervation density. Axonal terminals were shown to have access to laminin in this region of the blood vessel wall by double staining with laminin and a general neuronal marker. Changes in laminin immunoreactivity were region-specific on the same blood vessel, thus excluding the possibility of a generalized decrease in immunoreactivity in old age. For example, in the basilar artery intensity of laminin immunoreactivity decreased in old age at the medial-adventitial border, but showed no change in endothelial cell basal lamina and in the adventitia. Moreover, we performed in oculo transplants of blood vessels displaying differences in laminin immunoreactivity and found that the density of innervation correlated with the intensity of laminin staining, thus lending further support to the hypothesis that laminin might play a role in nerve fibre atrophy in old age.

Evidence for an important role of IGF-I and IGF-II for the early development of chick sympathetic neurons

The ability of immature neurons from chick lumbosacral sympathetic ganglia to proliferate in vitro was used to identify factors that affect neurogenesis. Under serum-free culture conditions, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), IGF-II, or insulin caused an increase in the proportion of cells that incorporated [3H]thymidine. In addition, IGFs also stimulated neurite outgrowth from these immature sympathetic neurons. IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA was found to be expressed in E7 sympathetic ganglia during the period of neurogenesis. IGF-I was detectable in fibroblasts, whereas IGF-II mRNA was expressed by neurons, glia, and fibroblasts. Elimination of endogenous IGFs by neutralizing antibodies resulted in a reduction of neuron proliferation and neuron number, whereas elevation of IGF levels by treatment with IGF-I increased sympathetic neuron proliferation in vivo. These findings suggest an important role of IGFs for the development of sympathetic neurons and imply a general role of IGFs in the control of neurogenesis and neurite outgrowth.