Phosphorylation of elF-4E and initiation of protein synthesis in P19 embryonal carcinoma cells

Mitogenic stimulation of protein synthesis is accompanied by an increase in elF-4E phosphorylation. The effect on protein synthesis by induction of differentiation is less well known. We treated P19 embryonal carcinoma cells with the differentiating agent retinoic acid and found that protein synthesis increased during the first hour of addition. However, the phosphorylation state, as well as the turnover of phosphate on elF-4E, remained unchanged. Apparently, the change in protein synthesis after RA addition is regulated by another mechanism than elF-4E phosphorylation. By using P19 cells overexpressing the EGF receptor, we show that the signal transduction pathway that leads to phosphorylation of elF-4E is present in P19 cells; the EGF-induced change in phosphorylation of elF-4E in these cells is likely to be regulated by a change in elF-4E phosphatase activity. These results suggest that the onset of retinoic acid-induced differentiation is triggered by a signal transduction pathway which involves changes in protein synthesis, but not elF-4E phosphorylation. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

De novo synthesis of NGF subunits in S-180 mouse sarcoma cell line

It is an accepted hypothesis that the nerve growth factor protein (NGF) plays an important role in the development of vertebrate sympathetic and sensory ganglia and has effects on some central neurons. The best known NGF species is that isolated from the mouse submaxillary gland, MSG-NGF. MSG-NGF can be isolated as a subunit containing protein, 7S-NGF, made up of three dissimilar subunits called alpha-, beta-, and gamma-NGF. Beta-NGF is the biologically active subunit and its synthesis in vivo and in vitro has been demonstrated. Less is known about the synthesis of the alpha- and gamma-NGF or the assembly of the subunits into the 7S complex. In order to develop a clonal model system for the study of NGF synthesis, processing and secretion, affinity chromatography techniques were applied to cell extracts of S180 mouse sarcoma, a cell line known to synthesize NGF. After incubating S180 cells in³⁵S-Methionine, cell extracts were exposed to antibody directed against alpha-NGF, gamma-NGF or beta-NGF covalently bound to Sepharose beads in order to elute and characterize the desired NGF subunits. Parallel experiments using immunoabsorbed [³⁵S]Methionine-beta-NGF were carried out in the presence or absence of excess NGF, in order to demonstrate the specificity of this procedure. Affinity chromatography with a substrate analogue to arginine ester bound to Sepharose beads was also used to isolate de novo synthesized gamma-NGF. We were able to show that the S180 line synthesized alpha-, beta-, and gamma-NGF indistiguishable from alpha-, beta-, and gamma-NGF isolated from mouse submaxillary gland in terms of antigenic and physicochemical properties, and biological and enzymatic activities. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that NGF is synthesized, assembled and secreted by a single cell type.Special Issue dedicated to Dr. E. M. Shooter and Dr. S. Varon.     

Preparation of affinity-purified,biotinylated tetanus toxin,and characterization and localization of cell surface binding sites on nerve growth factor-treated PC12 cells

Biotinylated derivatives of tetanus toxin were prepared and isolated by chromatofocusing and ganglioside-affinity chromatography. Biotinylation was monitored by the appearance of a 210,00 dalton complex upon SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of avidin, and by selective binding to an avidin-Sepharose gel. At molar biotin:toxin ratios from 11 to 201 only biotinylated derivatives with low toxicity were obtained; these derivatives, however, retained 60–80% of their specific binding affinity for brain synaptosomes. A biotinylated tetanus toxin derivative purified by ganglioside-affinity chromatography was used to identify and localize tetanus toxin binding sites on PC12 cells. Electron microscopic analysis with streptavidin-gold revealed very low levels of tetanus toxin binding sites on the surface of untreated cells, and the appearance of such binding sites during the second week of nerve growth factor-induced differentiation. Examination of micrographs of the differentiated cells indicated that the tetanus toxin binding sites sites are concentrated on the neurites, with relatively few appearing on the cell bodies. Cognate studies using¹²⁵I-labeled, affinity-purified tetanus toxin revealed an increase in PC12 binding capacity from about 0.07 nmol/mg protein in untreated cells to 0.8 nmoles/mg protein in cells treated for 14 days with nerve growth factor. Cells treated in suspension for 2–3 weeks with nerve growth factor do not express tetanus toxin binding sites; upon plating, these cells required one week for the appearance of binding sites, although neurites grew much more rapidly from these primed cells. The high binding capacity of these tetanus toxin sites, as well as their sensitivity to neuraminidase, is indicative of a polysialoganglioside structure. The advantages of biotinylated tetanus toxin derivatives are discussed and the significance of nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells grown as monolayers as a model for the study of the development, localization, and function of neuraminidase-sensitive tetanus toxin binding sites is presented.Abbreviations PBS phosphate-buffered saline - STS sucrose-Tris-serum solution - NGF nerve growth factor - C collagen - PL polylysine - BBG bovine brain ganglioside mixture - GM₁ gafactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-[N-acetylneuraminyl]-galactosylglucosyl ceramide - GD_1a [N-acetylneuraminyl]-galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-[N-acetylneuraminyl]-galactosylglucosyl ceramide - GT_1a [N-aceylneuraminyl]-galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-[N-acetylneuraminyl]-galactosylglucosyl ceramide - GD_1b galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-[N-acetylneuraminyl-N-acetylneuraminyl]-galactosylglucosyl ceramide - GT_1b [N-acetylneuraminyl]-galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-[N-acetylneuraminyl-N-acetylneuraminyl] galactosylglucosyl ceramide - NANA N-acetylneuraminic acid     

EGF-Induced sustained tyrosine phosphorylation and decreased rate of down-regulation of EGF receptor in PC12h-R cells which show neuronal differentiation in response to EGF

PC12h-R cell, a subclone of PC12 cells, exhibited a neuron-like phenotype, including neurite outgrowth and increased acetylcholinesterase activity, in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) as well as nerve growth factor (NGF). We examined the mechanism by which EGF induced the neuronal differentiation in PC12h-R cells. The EGF-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12h-R cells was not blocked by K252a, whereas that induced by NGF was. EGF induced sustained tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor in PC12h-R cells, but not in the parent PC12h cells, which do not show neuronal differentiation in response to EGF. In addition, the rate of EGF-induced down-regulation of the EGF receptor in PC12h-R cells was decreased compared with that in PC12h cells. Furthermore, we found that the duration of EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor in PC12h-R cells was similar to that of NGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p140 ^trkA in PC12h cells. The EGF-induced phosphorylation of the EGF receptor in PC12h cells was less sustained than that of p140 ^trkA by NGF in PC12h cells. These findings suggested that the EGF-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12h-R cells is due to the sustained activation of the EGF receptor, resulting from the decreased down-regulation of the EGF receptor and that the duration of the receptor tyrosine kinase activity determines the cellular responses of PC12 cells. We concluded that sustained activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase induces neuronal differentiation, although transient activation promotes proliferation of PC12 cells. Special issue dedicated to Dr. Hans Thoenen.     

Effect of coexisting cells on the NGF-inducing neurite growth from PC12h-R

Possible roles of coexisting cells in inducing neurite growth from a nerve cell were studied. Nerve growth factor (NGF)-inducing neurite growth from PC12h-R (a cell line derived from cultured nerve cells) was investigated at various cell densities. At the cell density 10²10⁴ cells/ml neurites appeared even without NGF. In contrast, no neurite appeared without NGF in single cell culture. The neurite growth observed in plural cell culture without NGF was only partially inhibited by antibody to NGF receptor (Ab-NGFR). However, the effect of the used medium alone was mostly inhibited by Ab-NGFR. These results suggest that the neurite inducing potency of coexisting cells is via different sites than the NGF receptor.Abbreviations Ab-IgG-FITC anti-mouse-IgG labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate - Ab-NF monoclonal antibody to neurofilament 160 kD - Ab-NGFR monoclonal antibody to NGF receptor - BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor - D-medium medium for differentiation culture - DMEM Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium - M-medium medium for multiplication culture - NGF nerve growth factor - NGFR NGF receptor - NT-3 neurotrophin-3 - PC12 pheochromocytoma cell line - PC12h-R subclone of PC12 - Sup-D supernatant of D-medium     

Thermosensitive heparin‐poloxamer hydrogel encapsulated bFGF and NGF to treat spinal cord injury

The application of growth factors (GFs) for treating chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) has been shown to promote axonal regeneration and functional recovery. However, direct administration of GFs is limited by their rapid degradation and dilution at the injured sites. Moreover, SCI recovery is a multifactorial process that requires multiple GFs to participate in tissue regeneration. Based on these facts, controlled delivery of multiple growth factors (GFs) to lesion areas is becoming an attractive strategy for repairing SCI. Presently, we developed a GFs‐based delivery system (called GFs‐HP) that consisted of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and heparin‐poloxamer (HP) hydrogel through self‐assembly mode. This GFs‐HP was a kind of thermosensitive hydrogel that was suitable for orthotopic administration in vivo. Meanwhile, a 3D porous structure of this hydrogel is commonly used to load large amounts of GFs. After single injection of GFs‐HP into the lesioned spinal cord, the sustained release of NGF and bFGF from HP could significantly improve neuronal survival, axon regeneration, reactive astrogliosis suppression and locomotor recovery, when compared with the treatment of free GFs or HP. Moreover, we also revealed that these neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects of GFs‐HP were likely through activating the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase and protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signalling pathways. Overall, our work will provide an effective therapeutic strategy for SCI repair.     

脑缺血大鼠肺组织NGF/TrkA表达变化及其意义

目的:探讨大鼠脑缺血后肺组织神经生长因子(nerve growth factor,NGF)/酪氨酸蛋白激酶A(tropomyosin-related kinase A,TrkA)表达的变化。方法:成年雄性大鼠随机分为假手术组和脑缺血后6 h、24 h及48 h组,每组8只。建立大脑中动脉永久性局灶性缺血模型,术后于各时间点麻醉处死大鼠后,测定肺组织湿重/干重(W/D),光镜下观察HE染色肺组织病理学改变;Western blot法检测肺组织NGF、TrkA蛋白表达。结果:与假手术组相比,脑缺血后6 h肺组织W/D有增加,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),而脑缺血后24 h及48 h肺组织W/D均有显著增高(P<0.05),其中以24 h组最明显(P<0.01);脑缺血后6 h肺组织出现轻度充血、水肿及炎性改变,24 h及48 h组肺泡结构破坏明显。病理学评分结果显示,脑缺血后24 h及48 h组大鼠肺组织病理评分较假手术组显著升高(P<0.05);Western blot法显示,脑缺血6 h肺组织中NGF表达增加(P<0.05),48 h时表达有下降趋势,但仍高于假手术组(P<0.05)。而肺组织中TrkA表达在脑缺血6h有下降(P>0.05),24 h下降明显(P<0.05),48 h时TrkA蛋白表达虽有上升,仍显著低于假手术组(P<0.05)。结论:大鼠肺组织NGF/TrkA的动态变化可能参与了脑缺血后肺损伤的病理生理过程。     

乳液法神经生长因子（NGF）电纺纤维的体外研究

目的：使用乳液法制备含有神经生长因子（NGF）的电纺纤维,研究其外观形貌和机械强度等物理性能,以及制备过程中NGF活性的变化,纤维中NGF的担载量和纤维体外释放动力学,评价其能否成为理想的神经修复材料,为进一步将NGF电纺纤维应用于周围神经修复奠定基础。方法：将NGF水溶液分散于PLLA溶液,通过W／O乳液法制备静电纺丝缓释纤维,对纤维的外观形貌等物理性能等进行表征,使用Elisa方法测定制备过程中NGF活性的保持以及体外释放动力学。结果：NGF电纺纤维具备类似细胞外基质（ECM）的良好外观形貌和一定的机械强度,其中NGF活性保持19．58％士6．05％,体外有效释放11天。结论：本文制备的乳液法NGF电纺纤维具备良好的物理性能,能够持续缓释有效剂量的NGF,适合作为神经修复材料进行进一步研究。     

静电纺丝制备担载神经生长因子的聚乳酸纤维的工艺研究

目的:研究担载神经生长因子(NGF)的聚乳酸纤维乳液法静电纺丝的制备工艺,从电压、溶液浓度等工艺条件进行探索,通过扫描电镜对纤维的形态结构进行观察,旨在找到最佳纺丝制备条件,并观察该条件下纤维的体外释放行为和细胞活性。方法:将NGF水溶液分散于聚乳酸(PLLA)溶液中,通过W/O乳液法制备静电纺丝纤维。分别从电压8 k V、10 k V、12 k V,浓度梯度90mg/m L、100 mg/m L、110 mg/m L进行静电纺丝纤维的制备,对纤维的形态等进行表征。使用ELISA对NGF体外释放动力学进行检测,用Alamer Blue试剂考察纤维释放液对于PC12悬浮细胞增殖的影响。结果:浓度和电压对电纺纤维制备影响很大。当浓度过大时,易堵塞纺丝喷头且纤维弯曲,过小时纤维粗细差异较大。电压过大或过小时纤维弯曲情况严重,甚至出现缠绕现象。当浓度为100 mg/m L,电压为10 k V时制备的乳液法静电纺丝聚乳酸纤维直径粗细均匀,具有较好形态。在该条件下的制备的纤维NGF体外有效释放13天,释放液可以促进PC12细胞的增殖。结论:担载NGF的聚乳酸纤维乳液法最佳静电纺丝制备条件为:PLLA溶液浓度100 mg/m L、电压10 k V,该条件下制备的担载NGF的聚乳酸纤维体外释放可累计释放13天,其释放液可有效促进PC12细胞的增殖,为进一步研究担载NGF的聚乳酸纤维导管奠定了一定的工艺基础。     

Quantitative single particle tracking of NGF-receptor complexes: transport is bidirectional but biased by longer retrograde run lengths

The retrograde transport of nerve growth factor (NGF) in neurite-like processes of living differentiated PC12 cells was studied using streptavidin-quantum dots (QDs) coupled to monobiotin-NGF. These reagents were active in differentiation, binding, internalization, and transport. Ten-35% of the QD-NGF-receptor complexes were mobile. Quantitative single particle tracking revealed a bidirectional step-like motion, requiring intact microtubules, with a net retrograde velocity of 0.054+/-0.020 microm/s. Individual runs had a mean velocity of approximately 0.15 microm/s at room temperature, and the run times were exponentially distributed. The photostability and brightness of QDs permit extended real-time analysis of individual QDbNGF- receptor complexes trafficking within neurites.