Purified Mouse Schwann Cells: Mitogenic Effects of Fetal Calf Serum and Fibroblast Growth Factor

Abstract

We present an in vitro bioassay protocol for the detailed examination of mitogenic influences on purified mouse Schwann cells. This involves measurements of (i) increases in Schwann cell number per culture, (ii) incorporation of radiolabeled thymidine per culture, and (iii) the proportion of total Schwann cells that exhibit a labeled nucleus by autoradiography. Using this standard protocol we show that the mitogenic effects of fetal calf serum must be distinguished from its effects on cell retention to the culture substratum, and preparations of mouse brain or pituitary fibroblast growth factor but not mouse epidermal growth factor are very potent mouse Schwann cell mitogens. These mitogenic effects of serum and fibroblast growth factor have not been reported for rat Schwann cells.

Analysis of Enteric Neurons, Glia and Their Interactions Using Explant Cultures of the Myenteric Plexus; pp. 214–227

“…The relatively high rate of enteric glial cell divi sion in the absence of neurons is similar to the behaviour of purified populations of type 1 astrocytes [Raff et al, 1983], Schwann cells on the other hand divide relatively slowly and are stimulated to divide by axonal contact [Wood and Bunge, 1975], In a recent series of experiments aimed at expanding the num bers of glia in purified enteric glial cell cul tures, various growth factors were tested for their ability to promote glial cell prolifera tion. In table IV the results [Eccleston et al, 1987] are summarised and compared with similar results obtained with Schwann cells [Brockes et al, 1980;Krikorian et al, 1982;Pruss et al, 1982;Eccleston et al, 1987] and astrocytes [Brockes et al, 1980;Morri son and de Vellis, 1981;Pruss et al, 1982] in vitro. Thus, enteric glia behave similarly to astrocytes and Schwann cells in their re sponse to glial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor, but are similar to Schwann cells and dissimilar to astrocytes in their lack of response to epidermal growth factor.…”

Biodegradable Cell-Seeded Nanofiber Scaffolds for Neural Repair

“…An impermeable polymer coat was deposited on the guide prior to implantation, which guided the proteins to release inwardly to the lumen. The mechanism for regeneration-promoting effect of b-FGF might be that it directly reacted with neural element or it indirectly enhanced the proliferation of Schwann cells [268,269]. It was also suggested that the supporting role of α1-GP in regeneration might be due to its involvement in preventing b-FGF from losing its activeness [268].…”

In vivo Proliferative Pattern of Trembler Hypomyelinating Schwann Cells Is Modified in Culture: An Experimental Analysis

“…Subcultures were treated 2-3 times with anti-Thy 1-2 (New England Nuclear, Mass., USA) and rabbit complement (Gibco) to eliminate the fibroblasts. The remaining Schwann cells (95-98%) were plated in DMEMHam F'10 with 10% FCS and maintained in 2% FCS [29] at a concentration of 2 x KF cells per 35-mm2 dish. Monoclonal anti body 6.17, a Schwann cell marker [32], was used to evaluate the purity of the Schwann cells.…”

“…lc) are consistent with the idea that Schwann cell proliferation is regulated by the balance of mitogenic and inhibitory autocrine factors [42] and/or by a decline in the level of receptors [46] on Trembler cells. Thus, the active division of 1-day-old mouse Schwann cells may result from the secretion of autocrine growth factors [44,45], associated or not with axolemma [47], or from the presence of a mitogenic factor in the FCS [29]. At this stage, these factors would be equally active on mutant and normal Schwann cells because the 'inhibitory activ ity' would be very low and/or the level of receptors iden tical.…”

“…The latter is used as a molecule whose mitogenic effect on Schwann cells is well established [23,29].…”