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Related Experiment Videos

Thrombopoietin gene expression in the developing human central nervous system.

Christof Dame1, Eva Maria Wolber, Patricia Freitag

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. christof.dame@charite.de

Brain Research. Developmental Brain Research
|July 12, 2003
PubMed
Summary

The thrombopoietin gene is widely expressed in the developing human central nervous system (CNS), with high levels in the spinal cord, cerebellum, and cortex. This suggests a potential role for thrombopoietin in neuronal development.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Thrombopoietin (TPO) gene expression is typically localized in the adult human central nervous system (CNS).
  • Major sites of TPO production include the liver and kidneys.
  • The role of TPO in the developing CNS is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify regions of TPO expression in the developing human CNS.
  • To compare TPO mRNA levels in the developing CNS with those in the liver and kidneys.
  • To measure TPO protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Main Methods:

  • Competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantify TPO mRNA in 32 CNS specimens from fetuses and neonates.
  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure TPO protein levels in CSF.

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  • Tissues analyzed included spinal cord, cerebellum, cortex, pituitary gland, brain stem, corpora amygdala, and hippocampus.

    • Main Results:

    • Thrombopoietin mRNA was detected in 29 out of 32 CNS specimens.
    • The highest TPO mRNA expression was observed in the spinal cord, cerebellum, and cortex.
    • TPO mRNA levels in the spinal cord were comparable to those in the liver and kidneys, while trace amounts were found in the pituitary gland, brain stem, corpora amygdala, and hippocampus.
    • CSF TPO protein concentrations ranged from 41 to 75 pg/ml.

    Conclusions:

    • The thrombopoietin gene is abundantly expressed throughout the developing human CNS.
    • Given its neurotrophic sequence, TPO may play a significant role in neuronal cell biology.
    • These findings highlight a potential novel function for TPO beyond hematopoiesis in the developing nervous system.