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Growth factors in behavioral teratology
G Calamandrei1, A Valanzano, E Alleva
1Laboratorio di Fisiopatologia di Organo e di Sistema, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Annali Dell'Istituto Superiore Di Sanita
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Polypeptide Growth Factors (GFs) regulate cell development. Neonatal exposure to Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) accelerates neurobehavioral maturation in rodents, influencing development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Polypeptide Growth Factors (GFs) are crucial regulators of cell proliferation and differentiation.
- Numerous GFs, including Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF), are present in the central nervous system.
- These GFs play significant roles in physiological processes like growth, repair, differentiation, and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo effects of Growth Factor administration on the ontogenesis of altricial rodents.
- To assess the impact of specific GFs on neurobehavioral maturation and somatic development.
Main Methods:
- Neonatal administration of various Growth Factors (NGF, bFGF, EGF, IGF) to rodents.
- Evaluation of neurobehavioral maturation indexes.
- Assessment of somatic development and specific behaviors like ultrasonic vocalization and scopolamine-induced hyperactivity.
Main Results:
- Neonatal NGF and bFGF exposure accelerated neurobehavioral maturation indexes.
- EGF administration showed both growth-promoting and growth-inhibiting effects on mouse development.
- IGF administration influenced ultrasonic vocalization in mouse pups, and NGF anticipated hyperactivity and cholinergic maturation.
Conclusions:
- Different GFs can initiate developmental events, potentially altering the normal ontogenetic pattern.
- GFs represent key modulators of neurodevelopmental trajectories.