Different in vitro response to rIL‐1β of newborn and adult rat astroglia

Abstract

In recent literature, lymphokines have been reported to be able to promote both proliferation and maturation of some glial populations. In this paper, we compare the effect of rIL-1 on newborn and adult rat astroglial cells in vitro. In newborn, but not in adult astrocytes, 100 U/ml of rIL-1 beta increase [3H]thymidine incorporation with a maximal response by 3 days as compared to the control untreated culture. In contrast, rIL-1 beta induces an increase of GFAP immunoreactivity both in newborn and in adult astrocytes, as compared to the control untreated cells. These data indicate that, while both newborn and adult astroglial cells are capable of responding to rIL-1 beta, only newborn astrocytes can respond to this lymphokine with proliferation. Thus, it appears likely that different factors, other than rIL-1 beta, are needed by adult astrocytes to proliferate.

The Triakontatetraneuropeptide (TTN) Stimulates Thymidine Incorporation in Rat Astrocytes Through Peripheral‐Type Benzodiazepine Receptors

“…In this respect, it has been reported that the stimulatory effect of histamine and substance P on interleukin‐1 and interleukin‐6 production by rat astrocytes is mediated through an increase in [Ca 2+ ] i (Martin et al., 1992 ; Cadman et al, 1994). It has also been shown that TTN and Ro 5‐4864 stimulate the production of interleukin‐1 (Taupin et al, 1991, 1993), which is known to trigger astrocyte proliferation (Giulian and Lachman, 1985 ; Colasanti et al, 1991). Collectively, these observations indicate that the [Ca 2+ ] i increase induced by TTN either may directly stimulate DNA synthesis or may act indirectly through activation of cytokine production.…”

In Human Fetal Astrocytes Exposure to Interleukin‐1β Stimulates Acquisition of the GD3+ Phenotype and Inhibits Cell Division

“…One surprising aspect of these results was the consistent antiproliferative effect of IL-1 for human fetal astrocytes, regardless of their basal proliferative activity . In neonatal rat astrocytes, Giulian and Lachman (1985) and others (Colasanti et al, 1991) have re- ported a mitogenic effect of IL-1 for astrocytes both in vitro and in vivo, but similar results were not detected in astrocytes cultured from adult bovine brain (Selmaj et al ., 1990) . In the human fetal cultures reported here tumor necrosis factor-a, a cytokine that is produced in IL-lß-stimulated human fetal astrocytes, also showed a slight antiproliferative effect on these cells, whereas interferon-y showed a mild mitogenic effect .…”

The Effect of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Cells on Survival and Cytokine Production by Post-Ischemic Astrocytes in Vitro

“…There was an increase in expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, although there was less IL-6 under the hypoxia condition than there was when HUCB cells were added to the astrocyte culture during normoxia. IL-6, produced by neurons, astrocytes and microglia [39], promotes astrocyte proliferation [40] and gliosis [41] and can be neuroprotective in culture [42,43]. However, over-expression of IL-6 is associated with neurodegeneration, breakdown of the blood brain barrier (BBB), angiogenesis, increased expression of complement proteins, and impaired learning [44,45] while IL-6 knockout mice have less brain damage in response to focal cryo injury to the fronto-parietal cortex compared to control animals [46].…”