Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
9913670 | Mechanisms of Development | 2005 | 16 Pages |
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-β2) plays a critical role in growth, differentiation and cell death, but its function in the developing cerebellum is still uncertain. In this study we analyzed the effects of TGF-β2 on ex vivo developing cerebellar slice cultures. Proliferation of granule cell precursors peaked ex vivo in the same developmental window as in vivo (P8-P14). Addition of recombinant TGF-β2 could extent the proliferation of granule cell precursors and induced a second late proliferation wave. In contrast, antibody neutralization of TGF-β2 strongly reduced proliferation and induced neurodegeneration. TGF-β2 neutralization resulted in apoptotic cells, which showed caspase 3 activation. Taken together our results demonstrate that TGF-β2 is a novel growth and survival factor for granule cells precursors in the developing cerebellum.
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Authors
Margitta Elvers, Julia Pfeiffer, Christian Kaltschmidt, Barbara Kaltschmidt,