Epidermal growth factor enhances the expression of an endogenous lectin in aggregating fetal brain cell cultures

Aggregating cell cultures prepared from fetal rat telencephalon express the two subunits [cerebellar soluble lectins (CSL) 1 and 2] of a soluble, mannose-specific endogenous lectin (CSL) in a development-dependent manner. Increased CSL synthesis was found at an early postmitotic stage as well as during the period of maximal myelination. Repetitive treatment of early cultures with epidermal growth factor (EGF, 3nM) caused a great stimulation of CSL biosynthesis. Immunocytochemical studies revealed particularly intense CSL-specific staining in small, EGF-responsive cells, presumably glial cells. Large quantities of CSL-immunoreactive material were found also in the extracellular space and on the external side of the plasma membrane, indicating abundant release of CSL. The present findings suggest that EGF or EGF-related factors in the brain are able to regulate the expression of an endogenous lectin, affecting brain ontogeny.