Cells Isolated from Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Express Progesterone-Induced Blocking Factor (PIBF)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant tumor in the central nervous system. One of the contemporary hypotheses postulates that its pathogenesis is associated with the cancer stem cells (CSCs) which originate from mutations in the normal neural stem cells residing in their specific “niches.” Simultaneously with its aggressive development the tumor suppresses the local immune system by different secreted and/or cell expressed factors. Progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) is an immunomodulatory protein with known role in the regulation of the immune response in the reproductive system. Expression of PIBF has been described in some tumors as one of the factors suppressing the anti-tumor immunity. The aim of the present study was to check for the expression of PIBF from cells isolated from six GBMs. To characterize the cultured cells and to study the PIBF expression confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA, and real-time PCR were used. The results obtained showed expression of markers typical for cancer CSCs and secretion of interleukin 6 by the GBM-derived cultured cells. The results convincingly prove that PIBF is intracellularly expressed by the cultured cells from the all six GBM samples, and this fact is confirmed by three different methods—flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and real-time PCR. This paper reports for the first time the expression of PIBF by GBM-derived cells cultured in vitro and reveals a new aspect of the immunosuppressive mechanism used by GBM in escaping the immune control.     

Metformin Inhibits Growth of Human Glioblastoma Cells and Enhances Therapeutic Response

High-grade gliomas, glioblastomas (GB), are refractory to conventional treatment combining surgery, chemotherapy, mainly temozolomide, and radiotherapy. This highlights an urgent need to develop novel therapies and increase the efficacy of radio/chemotherapy for these very aggressive and malignant brain tumors. Recently, tumor metabolism became an interesting potential therapeutic target in various cancers. Accordingly, combining drugs targeting cell metabolism with appropriate chemotherapeutic agents or radiotherapy has become attractive. In light of these perspectives, we were particularly interested in the anti-cancer properties of a biguanide molecule used for type 2 diabetes treatment, metformin. In our present work, we demonstrate that metformin decreases mitochondrial-dependent ATP production and oxygen consumption and increases lactate and glycolytic ATP production. We show that metformin induces decreased proliferation, cell cycle arrest, autophagy, apoptosis and cell death in vitro with a concomitant activation of AMPK, Redd1 and inhibition of the mTOR pathway. Cell sensitivity to metformin also depends on the genetic and mutational backgrounds of the different GB cells used in this study, particularly their PTEN status. Interestingly, knockdown of AMPK and Redd1 with siRNA partially, but incompletely, abrogates the induction of apoptosis by metformin suggesting both AMPK/Redd1-dependent and –independent effects. However, the primary determinant of the effect of metformin on cell growth is the genetic and mutational backgrounds of the glioma cells. We further demonstrate that metformin treatment in combination with temozolomide and/or irradiation induces a synergistic anti-tumoral response in glioma cell lines. Xenografts performed in nude mice demonstrate in vivo that metformin delays tumor growth. As current treatments for GB commonly fail to cure, the need for more effective therapeutic options is overwhelming. Based on these results, metformin could represent a potential enhancer of the cytotoxic effects of temozolomide and/or radiotherapy.     

多甲氧基黄酮对人胶质母细胞瘤细胞系生物学特性的影响

目的：多甲氧基黄酮（PMFs）因其抗氧化、抗癌、抗炎及抗动脉粥样硬化等多样的生物学活性受到国内外学者的广泛关注,但其在神经胶质瘤治疗中的潜在作用尚未见报道。本研究对多甲氧基黄酮处理人胶质母细胞瘤细胞系对其生物学特性的影响,初步探讨PMFs在神经胶质瘤治疗中的潜在应用。方法：不同浓度（0,20,40,60,80,100μg／mL）的PMFs处理人胶质母细胞瘤细胞系U251不同时间后．分别用Annexinv／PI双染法检测细胞凋亡的变化,MTT法检细胞活力的变化,Transwell小室实验检测细胞侵袭能力的变化。结果：随着多甲氧基黄酮的浓度及处理时间的增加,细胞的增殖明显受到抑制,同时诱导细胞大量凋亡,促使细胞生长停滞于G2／M期;此外,多甲氧基黄酮剂量依赖性的抑制胶质瘤细胞的侵袭。结论：PMFs能剂量和时间依赖性降低人胶质母细胞瘤细胞系U251的,同时显著诱导细胞瘤的凋亡和侵袭能力,提示PMFs可能对神经胶质瘤的高增殖性和侵袭性有一定的抑制作用,因此可能具有成为治疗神经胶质瘤药物的潜在应用价值。     

肌肽对离体培养的鸡肝细胞的影响

研究了肌肽对离体培养的鸡肝细胞的影响。实验采用胶原酶原位二步灌流法获得鸡肝细胞,再用不同浓度的肌肽(①2 μmol L、②2 0 μmol L、③2 0 0 μmol L ,④2 0mmol L)分别进行处理。结果表明,1 )在各个时期,含2 0 μmol L肌肽的实验组肝细胞生长均好于对照组(0 μmol L肌肽) ,而且在48和72h时二者差异显著(P <0 0 5 ) ;2 ) 2 0mmol L肌肽能显著提高肝细胞的分泌白蛋白的功能(P <0 0 5 ) ;3 )添加肌肽的各实验组上清液中丙二醛(MDA)含量在2 4和48h时均低于对照组;4)添加2 0mmol L肌肽的实验组与对照组相比,能维持无血清培养肝细胞的形态达8d。表明了肌肽对鸡肝细胞增殖和分泌白蛋白有促进作用,同时可以保护肝细胞对抗过氧化,保护细胞形态。     

Identification of Plasma Membrane Glycoproteins Specific to Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells Using Lectin Arrays and LC‐MS/MS

Glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most malignant type of brain cancer and has poor prognosis with a median survival of less than one year. While the structural changes of tumor cell surface carbohydrates are known to be associated with invasive behavior of tumor cells, the cell surface glycoproteins to differentiate the low‐ and high‐grade glioma cells can be potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for GBMs. In the present study, lectin arrays consisting of eight lectins were employed to explore cell surface carbohydrate expression patterns on low‐grade oligodendroglioma cells (Hs683) and GBM cells (T98G). Griffonia simplicifolia I (GS I) was found to selectively bind to T98G cells and not to Hs683 cells. For identification of the glioblastoma‐specific cell surface markers, the glycoproteins from each cell type were captured by a GS I lectin column and analyzed by LC‐MS/MS. The identified proteins from the two cell types were quantified using label‐free quantitative analysis based on spectral counting. Of cell surface glycoproteins showing significant increases in T98G cells, five proteins were selected for verification of both protein and glycosylation level changes using Western blot and GS I lectin‐based immunosorbent assay.     

Involvement of miRNAs in the Differentiation of Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Stem-Like Cells

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)-initiating cells (GICs) represent a tumor subpopulation with neural stem cell-like properties that is responsible for the development, progression and therapeutic resistance of human GBM. We have recently shown that blockade of NFκB pathway promotes terminal differentiation and senescence of GICs both in vitro and in vivo, indicating that induction of differentiation may be a potential therapeutic strategy for GBM. MicroRNAs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of GBM, but a high-throughput analysis of their role in GIC differentiation has not been reported. We have established human GIC cell lines that can be efficiently differentiated into cells expressing astrocytic and neuronal lineage markers. Using this in vitro system, a microarray-based high-throughput analysis to determine global expression changes of microRNAs during differentiation of GICs was performed. A number of changes in the levels of microRNAs were detected in differentiating GICs, including over-expression of hsa-miR-21, hsa-miR-29a, hsa-miR-29b, hsa-miR-221 and hsa-miR-222, and down-regulation of hsa-miR-93 and hsa-miR-106a. Functional studies showed that miR-21 over-expression in GICs induced comparable cell differentiation features and targeted SPRY1 mRNA, which encodes for a negative regulator of neural stem-cell differentiation. In addition, miR-221 and miR-222 inhibition in differentiated cells restored the expression of stem cell markers while reducing differentiation markers. Finally, miR-29a and miR-29b targeted MCL1 mRNA in GICs and increased apoptosis. Our study uncovers the microRNA dynamic expression changes occurring during differentiation of GICs, and identifies miR-21 and miR-221/222 as key regulators of this process.     

太白银莲花皂苷B对胶质瘤细胞生长抑制的研究

目的:太白银莲花皂苷B(Anemone taipaiensis saponin B)是第一次从太白银莲花中经过系统化学分析和分离鉴定的皂苷之一,所以它的生物学效应目前仍然不清楚。在本研究中,我们首次体外研究太白银莲花皂苷B对胶质瘤细胞系的生物学效应,观察它对胶质瘤细胞增殖的的抑制作用。方法:采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法测定太白银莲花皂苷B对胶质瘤细胞生长曲线的影响,Hoechst 33342细胞核染色后荧光显微镜观察,采用光学显微镜观察细胞的形态学变化。结果:MTT实验结果显示太白银莲花皂苷B对胶质瘤细胞U87MG和U251MG有强烈的生长抑制作用,且具有剂量依赖性,应用SPSS18.0统计软件得出太白银莲花皂苷B对U87MG细胞72 h的抑制浓度为IC25=5.2μmol/L,IC50=6.7μmol/L and IC75=8.7μmol/L,U251细胞的抑制浓度为IC25=6.2μmol/L,IC50=7.9μmol/L and IC75=10.5μmol/L。Hoechst 33342细胞核染色荧光显微镜观察以及光学显微镜下细胞形态观察显示出典型的凋亡细胞形态学特征,经过皂苷B处理后,细胞皱缩成圆球形,细胞核碎裂或者致密浓染,向核膜边缘聚集,染色质浓缩为半月状、车轮状或者马蹄状,凋亡小体出现。这些特征在24 h时更明显。结论:体外实验初步显示,太白银莲花皂苷B对U87MG和U251MG细胞具有明显的增殖抑制作用,并具有促凋亡作用。     

Uric Acid Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation and Inhibits Adipogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells

To investigate the effect of uric acid on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). The hBMSCs were isolated from bone marrow of six healthy donors. Cell morphology was observed by microscopy and cell surface markers (CD44 and CD34) of hBMSCs were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Cell morphology and immunofluorescence analysis showed that hBMSCs were successfully isolated from bone marrow. The number of hBMSCs in uric acid groups was higher than that in the control group on day 3, 4, and 5. Alizarin red staining showed that number of calcium nodules in uric acid groups was more than that of the control group. Oil red‐O staining showed that the number of red fat vacuoles decreased with the increased concentration of uric acid. In summary, uric acid could promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs while inhibit adipogenic differentiation of hBMSCs.     

人主动脉壁硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖对培养的人主动脉平滑肌细胞生长的影响

从动脉粥样硬化（ＡＳ）高（北京）、低（南宁）发区人正常胸主动脉内－中膜分离ＨＳＰＧ,观察其对体外培养的ＨＡＳＭＣ生长的影响,细胞计数、~３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ参入及形态观察均表明ＡＳ高、低发区人主动脉ＨＳＰＧ都能剂量依赖性地抑制ＨＡＳＭＣ增殖,但抑制百分数未见显著差异,结果提示,人动脉壁中ＨＳＰＧ的含量可能与ＡＳ发病有关．     

人主动脉硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖对培养人的脐静脉内皮细胞生长的影响

为探讨硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖（ＨＳＰＧ）对内皮细胞生长的作用,用解聚提取及离子交换柱层析法分离出人主动脉ＨＳＰＧ,用倒置显微镜、细胞计数、及￣３Ｎ－ＴｄＲ参入观察其对培养的第一代人脐静脉内皮细胞（ｈＵＶＦＣ）生长的影响。结果发现：（１）倒置显微镜下观察,加入ＨＳＰＧ（１．７０μｇ已糖醛酸／ｍｌ）的ｈＵＶＥＣ生长密度高于对照组（未加ＨＳＰＧ）．（２）随着培养时间增加（２４,４８及７２ｈ）．根据细胞计数计算出同一剂量的ＨＳＰＧ（１７．０μｇ已糖醛酸／ｍｌ）对ｈＵＶＥＣ的促增殖％增高（分别为１４％,３０％及３７％）。（３）随着加入ＨＳＰＧ浓度的升高（４．３,８．５及１７．０μｇ已糖醛酸／ｍｌ．培养７２ｈ）．根据￣３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ参入计算出ＨＳＰＧ对ｈＵＶＥＣ的促增殖％亦增高（分别为４９％,７１％及９８％）。故人主动脉ＨＳＰＧ对培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞有促增殖作用。     

Immunohistochemical Detection of Neural Stem Cells and Glioblastoma Stem Cells in the Subventricular Zone of Glioblastoma Patients

Glioblastoma usually recurs after therapy consisting of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Recurrence is at least partly caused by glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) that are maintained in intratumoral hypoxic peri-arteriolar microenvironments, or niches, in a slowly dividing state that renders GSCs resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Because the subventricular zone (SVZ) is a major niche for neural stem cells (NSCs) in the brain, we investigated whether GSCs are present in the SVZ at distance from the glioblastoma tumor. We characterized the SVZ of brains of seven glioblastoma patients using fluorescence immunohistochemistry and image analysis. NSCs were identified by CD133 and SOX2 but not CD9 expression, whereas GSCs were positive for all three biomarkers. NSCs were present in all seven samples and GSCs in six out of seven samples. The SVZ in all samples were hypoxic and expressed the same relevant chemokines and their receptors as GSC niches in glioblastoma tumors: stromal-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), C-X-C receptor type 4 (CXCR4), osteopontin, and CD44. In conclusion, in glioblastoma patients, GSCs are present at distance from the glioblastoma tumor in the SVZ. These findings suggest that GSCs in the SVZ niche are protected against radiotherapy and chemotherapy and protected against surgical resection due to their distant localization and thus may contribute to tumor recurrence after therapy.     

Pro-necrotic Activity of Cationic Mastoparan Peptides in Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells Via Membranolytic Action

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and lethal malignant brain tumor. Because of its complexity and heterogeneity, this tumor has become resistant to conventional therapies and the available treatment produces multiple side effects. Here, using multiple experimental approaches, we demonstrate that three mastoparan peptides—Polybia-MP1, Mastoparan X, and HR1—from solitary wasp venom exhibit potent anticancer activity toward human glioblastoma multiforme cells. Importantly, the antiglioblastoma action of mastoparan peptides occurs by membranolytic activity, leading to necrosis. Our data also suggest a direct relation between mastoparan membranolytic potency and the presence of negatively charged phospholipids like phosphatidylserine. Collectively, these data may warrant additional studies for mastoparan peptides as new agents for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor.     

Establishment of a New Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Cell Line (WJ1) and Its Partial Characterization

(1) A new human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell line, WJ1, was established from the tissue derived from a 29-year-old patient diagnosed with a grade IV GBM. (2) The WJ1 cell line has been subcultured for more than 80 passages in standard culture media without feeder layer or collagen coatings. (3) GBM cells grow in vitro with distinct morphological appearance. Ultrastructural examination revealed large irregular nuclei and pseudo-inclusion bodies in nuclei. The cytoplasm contained numerous immature organelles and a few glia filaments. Growth kinetic studies demonstrated an approximate population doubling time of 60 h and a colony forming efficiency of 4.04%. The karyotype of the cells was hyperdiploid, with a large subpopulation of polyploid cells. Drug sensitivities of DDP, VP-16, tanshinone IIA of this cell line were assayed. They showed a dose- and time-dependent growth inhibition effect on the cells. (4) Orthotopic transplantation of GBM cells into athymic nude mice induced the formation of solid tumor masses about 6 weeks. The cells obtained from mouse tumor masses when cultivated in vitro had the same morphology and ultrastructure as those of the initial cultures. (5) This cell line may provide a useful model in vitro and in vivo in the cellular and molecular studies as well as in testing novel therapies for human glioblastoma multiforme.     

Interleukin-6-Mediated Autocrine Growth Promotion in Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Cell Line U87MG

Abstract: Human glioblastoma multiforme cell lines, brain tumor biopsy tissue, and normal human fetal brain synthesize interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-6 receptor (IL-6R). Neither of these is expressed in human neurons or neuroblastoma cell lines in culture. Astrocytes from fetal brain grown in culture retain the ability to synthesize IL-6 but do not express IL-6R as inferred from RT-PCR and Southern blot studies. Coexpression of IL-6 and IL-6R in the glioblastoma cell line U87MG is confirmed by immunofluorescence staining. Both specific monoclonal antibodies against IL-6 and IL-6R and antisense oligonucleotide to IL-6 mRNA inhibit the growth of U87MG cells in culture, suggesting the existence of a functional autocrine growth loop. Anti-IL-6 antibodies also inhibit the growth of glioblastoma cell lines U373 and U118. The expression of IL-6 by human fetal astrocytes in culture is highly suggestive of its role as an oncofetal protein responsible for rapid proliferation of fetal and tumor cells but not cells of adult brain.     

Polydatin Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Growth of Acute Monocytic Leukemia Cells

Polydatin (PD), a component isolated from Polygonum cuspidatum, has various activities such as inhibiting platelet aggregation, lowering level of blood lipid, reducing lipid peroxidation, and so on. However, the antitumor activity of PD has been poorly reported. In the present study, effect of PD on cell proliferation was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit‐8, and cell cycle and apoptosis were investigated by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the protein expression level of Bc1‐2, Bax, cyclin A, cyclin B, and cyclin D1, which associated with apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by Western blotting. Results show that PD could effectively inhibit the growth, arrest cells in S phase, and induce apoptosis of acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP‐1; meanwhile, expression of cyclin D1 and Bc1‐2 decreased significantly, and expression of Bax and cyclin A increased notably. All results suggest that PD maybe a potential therapeutic strategy for acute monocytic leukemia.     

二甲双胍对胶质母细胞瘤细胞的抑制作用研究

为了探究二甲双胍对不同胶质母细胞瘤U87细胞、GL261细胞及C6细胞增殖的影响,选取小鼠GBM细胞GL261细胞系、大鼠GBM细胞C6细胞系及人源GBM细胞U87MG细胞系,使用二甲双胍处理,通过CCK-8法检测细胞增殖活性;细胞实时荧光检测细胞凋亡水平;平板克隆实验检测GBM细胞克隆形成能力;CCK-L法检测胞内ATP水平;Western blot检测Akt及其磷酸化水平。结果显示,与对照组相比,随着作用浓度增加,二甲双胍显著抑制GBM细胞增殖活性,影响细胞形态;与对照组相比,同一作用浓度下,二甲双胍提高了GBM细胞凋亡水平,抑制了GBM细胞克隆形成能力,降低了GBM胞内ATP的产生;二甲双胍处理24 h后,GBM细胞内p-Akt表达显著下调,Akt无明显变化。结果表明,二甲双胍在体外可抑制多种GBM细胞的增殖、克隆,降低胞内ATP水平,其机制可能与Akt磷酸化水平相关,研究结果为进一步探索二甲双胍对胶质母细胞瘤的作用机制提供了体外研究理论基础。     

过表达CREG抑制ox-LDL诱导的人血管平滑肌细胞增殖

目的：探讨E1A 激活基因阻遏子（Cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes，CREG）在氧化型低密度脂蛋白（Oxidized low density lipoprotein，ox-LDL）引起的人血管平滑肌细胞（Vascular smooth muscle cell，VSMC）增殖中的作用及可能机制。方法：用60 滋g/mL ox-LDL处理人胸主动脉VSMC，在不同时间点（0 h，12 h，24 h，48 h）计数细胞并绘制生长曲线；在48 h时间点进行BrdU 染色检测增殖细胞的比率；采用Western Blot 检测各时间点CREG 表达。通过向VSMC 中转染携带CREG基因的质粒载体，筛选 获得过表达CREG 的VSMC（VSMCCREG）。进一步用ox-LDL 处理VSMCCREG，采用前述方法绘制生长曲线、进行48 h时间点 BrdU染色并检测CREG 和磷酸化Erk1/2 的表达。结果：与未经处理的对照组VSMC 相比，ox-LDL处理的VMSC 细胞总数及 BrdU阳性细胞比率显著增加；并且，CREG 表达随处理时间延长逐渐降低。此外，与ox-LDL 处理的VSMC 组相比，ox-LDL 处理 的VSMCCREG 组细胞总数及BrdU 阳性细胞比率均显著下降；并且CREG 表达增加、磷酸化Erk1/2 水平下降。结论：过表达 CREG 可能通过降低Erk1/2 磷酸化抑制ox-LDL诱导的人VSMC 增殖。     

Isolation of Cell Surface Membranes from Cultured C6 Glioblastoma Cells

Abstract: Plasma membranes were isolated from C6 glioblastoma cells by two methods. In the first method cells were treated with concanavalin A and lysed in hypotonic medium. After partial separation of plasma membranes from other cell material, the lectin was displaced with a-methyl-D-mannoside. In the second method untreated cells or cells iodinated in a lactoperoxidase-catalyzed reaction were homogenized in isotonic medium. Membrane fractions obtaincd by either homogenization procedure were further purified by rate zonal and equilibrium centrifugations into linear density gradients. Disruption of the glioblastoma cell membrane gives rise to heterogeneous assemblies of mem- brane fragments. Two populations of plasma membranes were isolated from untreated and from iodinated cells: a "lighter")membrane fraction characterized by relatively lower sedimentation velocity and buoyant density, and a "heavier" membrane fraction of relatively faster sedimentation velocity and higher buoyant density. Both fractions showed electrophoretic patterns similar to those of ¹²⁵I-labeled cell surface proteins. Their specific (Na⁺+ K⁺)-ATPase activity was seven- to eightfold the homogenate activity (recovery, 13.1%). Both fractions were, however, still contaminated by smooth endo- plasmic reticulum, as judged from the activity 0: NADPH-dependent cytochrome c reductase (recovery, 2.4%). It is suggested that plasma membrane fragments present in the two fractions might differ in the organization of their structures, e.g., membrane vesicle intactness and membrane orientation.     

Single-Step Purification and Biological Activity of Human Nerve Growth Factor Produced from Insect Cells

Human nerve growth factor (NGF) was cloned and engineered for expression in a baculovirus-infected Spodoptera frugiperda (SF-9) insect cell system. Culture supernatants contained 2-3 mg/L of recombinant human NGF. The human NGF produced by this system was purified to apparent homogeneity with a single-step affinity chromatography procedure using a high-affinity monoclonal antibody originally raised against murine NGF. The purification procedure yielded 1-2 mg of pure, human NGF per liter of culture supernatant; i.e., approximately 60% recovery of the human NGF originally released into the culture medium. Although the gene transfected into the SF-9 cells coded for pro-NGF, the NGF recovered after purification was greater than 95% fully processed, mature protein. The KD for the affinity of the pure, recombinant human NGF for NGF receptor in PC12 membranes is 0.20 +/- 0.05 nM. Activation of neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells occurs with ED50 values of 85 +/- 20 pM and 9.6 +/- 1.5 pM for a 3-day primary response and a 1-day secondary response, respectively. The pure, recombinant human NGF also stimulates a significant increase in dopamine content of PC12 cells with an ED50 of 5.8 +/- 2.7 pM. These binding and biological activation properties are consistent with values observed using murine NGF purified from submaxillary glands.     

Regulation of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Release from Rat C6 Glioblastoma Cells

Abstract: We have monitored glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) secretion from rat C6 glioblastoma cells by ELISA. Representative cytokines, neurotrophins, growth factors, neuropeptides, and pharmacological agents were tested for their ability to modulate GDNF release. Whereas most factors tested had minimal effect, a 24-h treatment with fibroblast growth factor-1, −2, or −9 elevated secreted GDNF protein levels five- to 10-fold. The proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and lipopolysaccharide elevated GDNF release 1.5- to twofold. Parallel studies aimed at elucidating intracellular events that may regulate GDNF synthesis/release demonstrated the involvement of multiple signaling pathways. GDNF levels were increased by phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (10 n M ) activation of protein kinase C, the Ca²⁺ ionophore A23187 (1 µ M ), okadaic acid (10 n M ) inhibition of type-2A protein phosphatases, nitric oxide donors (1 m M ), and H₂O₂ (1 m M )-induced oxidative stress. Elevation of cyclic AMP levels by either forskolin (10 µ M ) or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 m M ) repressed GDNF secretion, as did treatment with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (1 µ M ). Our results demonstrate that diverse biological factors are capable of modulating GDNF protein levels and that multiple signal transduction systems can regulate GDNF synthesis and/or release.