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LIF is an autocrine factor for sympathetic neurons
1Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125, USA.
Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is produced by neurons and acts on them. This cytokine influences neuronal function and may operate in an autocrine manner in the nervous system.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is known to influence neuronal phenotypes.
- LIF can be produced by non-neuronal cells, suggesting roles as a target-derived factor or injury-response factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether neurons can produce LIF and act upon themselves.
- To explore the autocrine function of LIF in neuronal cells.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect LIF mRNA in rat sympathetic neuron cultures.
- In situ hybridization and MAP2 immunocytochemistry to identify LIF-expressing cells.
- Western blot analysis using anti-LIF antibodies.
- Functional assays using conditioned medium and anti-LIF antibodies to assess LIF's effects on neuronal gene expression.
Main Results:
- LIF mRNA and protein are produced by cultured sympathetic neurons.
- Neurons expressing LIF mRNA were identified as neurons.
- Anti-LIF antibodies recognized LIF in neuronal lysates and conditioned medium.
- Sympathetic neuron conditioned medium mimicked LIF effects.
- Anti-LIF antibodies reduced basal expression of LIF target genes in neuron cultures.
- LIF transcript was detected in sympathetic and sensory neurons in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Neurons produce Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF).
- LIF acts on the neurons that produce it, suggesting an autocrine mechanism.
- Endogenously produced LIF influences neuronal function, including neuropeptide expression.
- LIF may function in an autocrine fashion in sympathetic and sensory neurons under physiological conditions.