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CSF-1 deficiency in mice results in abnormal brain development
M D Michaelson1, P L Bieri, M F Mehler
1Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) is crucial for central nervous system (CNS) development. Its absence causes neural abnormalities, but CSF-1 treatment can largely rescue these developmental defects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) was identified as a growth factor for mononuclear phagocytes.
- Its role in central nervous system (CNS) development is largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CSF-1 in CNS development.
- To determine the effects of CSF-1 deficiency on neural function and development.
Main Methods:
- Neuronal cultures from embryonic brains and osteopetrotic (op/op) mice.
- Nuclease protection assays to detect CSF-1 and receptor expression.
- Electrophysiological assays (evoked potentials, intracortical recordings) in op/op mice.
- CSF-1 treatment of op/op mice to assess rescue effects.
Main Results:
- CSF-1 promotes neuronal survival and process outgrowth in vitro.
- CSF-1 and its receptor are expressed in the developing mouse brain.
- op/op mice exhibit abnormal brainstem auditory and visual evoked potentials.
- Aberrant neuronal function and altered cortical circuitry were observed in op/op mice.
- CSF-1 treatment of op/op mice largely rescued the observed neural abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- CSF-1 plays a significant role in CNS development.
- Absence of CSF-1 leads to neurological abnormalities.
- CSF-1 is essential for normal neuronal function and cortical circuit development.