Related Experiment Videos

Fibroblast growth factor induces beta-amyloid precursor mRNA in glial but not neuronal cultured cells

D Quon1, R Catalano, B Cordell

  • 1California Biotechnology, Inc., Mountain View 94043.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|February 28, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Basic fibroblast growth factor significantly increases beta-amyloid precursor mRNA in C6 astrocytoma cells, but not PC-12 neuronal cells. This suggests a potential role for this growth factor in Alzheimer

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease is characterized by amyloid plaques.
  • The role of growth factors in neurodegenerative diseases is under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on beta-amyloid precursor mRNA expression in neuronal and astrocytoma cell lines.
  • To explore the potential link between bFGF and amyloidosis.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of PC12 (neuronal) and C6 (astrocytoma) cell cultures with recombinant bFGF.
  • Quantification of beta-amyloid precursor mRNA levels via RT-PCR.
  • Dose-response and time-course analysis of bFGF stimulation.

Main Results:

  • bFGF treatment resulted in a 5-10 fold increase in beta-amyloid precursor mRNA in C6 cells.
  • PC12 cells showed only a slight induction of precursor mRNA following bFGF treatment.
  • Stimulation was observed at 0.5-1 nM bFGF and after 2 days.

Conclusions:

  • Basic fibroblast growth factor differentially affects beta-amyloid precursor expression in neuronal and astrocytoma cells.
  • These findings suggest a potential contribution of bFGF to the development of amyloidosis in Alzheimer's disease.

Related Concept Videos