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Direct cell–cell interactions control apoptosis and oligodendrocyte marker expression of neuroepithelial cells
Author(s) -
Hugnot J.P.,
Mellodew K.,
Pilcher H.,
Uwanogho D.,
Price J.,
Sinden J.D.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.1143
Subject(s) - neuroepithelial cell , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , cellular differentiation , nestin , cell fate determination , oligodendrocyte , basic fibroblast growth factor , neural stem cell , cell growth , embryonic stem cell , precursor cell , cell division , cell , stem cell , neuroscience , growth factor , transcription factor , genetics , central nervous system , myelin , receptor , gene
During brain development, the neuroepithelium generates neurons and glial cells. Proliferation and differentiation of neuroepithelial cells are controlled by a complex combination of secreted factors and more intrinsic or local mechanisms, such as lateral inhibition and asymmetric division. To obtain further insights into the signals governing neuroepithelial cell fate, we used the immortomouse to derive conditionally immortalised cell lines from mouse E10 neuroepithelium. We isolated a nestin‐positive basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)‐responsive cell line (SVE10‐23) which mostly differentiate into astrocytes when cocultured with primary cortical cells. We found that, by simply lowering the cell density, SVE10‐23 cells embarked on oligodendrocytic differentiation as indicated by the strong expression of galactocerebroside C and 2′3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase. Apoptosis accompanied the differentiation, and all cells died within 1 week. We present here evidence that direct interactions between cells are the main mechanism regulating this oligodendrocytic differentiation. We demonstrate that SVE10‐23 cells contact or proximity inhibit their differentiation, prevent apoptosis, and promote their proliferation. Similarly, others nestin‐positive precursor cell lines and nonimmortalised bFGF‐grown E10 cells were found to spontaneously differentiate at low density, thus generalising the idea that neural precursor fate is regulated by direct cell–cell interactions. The SVE10‐23 cell line provides a valuable tool with which to study further the molecular components implicated in this mode of regulation. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:195–207, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.