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

Abstract

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, .3 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. Survival and the acquisition of a differentiated phenotype are critical events characteristic of neuronal development. The spectrum of factors and conditions responsible for regulating these processes have not been elucidated. However, with the discovery of nerve growth factor (NGF) it became clear that certain aspects of neuronal development may be mediated by diffusible molecules. NGF is the most completely characterized of these factors, but its activity is best characterized for neurons of the sympathetic and sensory ganglia (reviewed in refs.

Basic fibroblast growth factor protects cerebellar neurons in primary culture from NMDA and non‐NMDA receptor mediated neurotoxicity

“…This concentration is consistent with previously reported values for peak effectiveness of bFGF in supporting the survival of cerebellar granule neurons in culture [8] as well as of other culture systems [14]. However, it is 4-lo-fold greater than the reported value for bFGF maximal effects in hippocampal neurons [10,11,24] and other cultures [5,12].…”

Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors are survival factors with distinctive activity in quiescent BALB/c 3T3 murine fibroblasts.

“…It has been reported recently that FGFs promote in vitro survival ofneurons from different parts ofthe nervous system (12)(13)(14)(15)(16). In addition, neuronal survival-enhancing effects have also been seen after lesion in vivo (17,18).…”

Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 Regulates Signaling via the Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β Pathway

“…Binding of FGF leads to dimerization of FGFR followed by tyrosine kinase activation (2). FGF2 promotes survival of cortical and hippocampal neurons (8,9) and is also capable of rescuing neurons from denervation and injury (1). Similarly, FGF1 protects selective neuronal populations against the neurotoxic effects of molecules involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (10,11) and HIV encephalitis (12).…”