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Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Constitutively Expressed in the Nervous System of Transgenic Mice Protects Embryonic Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons from Apoptosis
Author(s) -
Tolosano Emanuela,
Cutufia Miguel Angel,
Hirsch Emilio,
Stefanuto Guglielmo,
Voyron Samuele,
Fasolo Aldo,
Silengo Lorenzo,
Altruda Fiorella
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1996.tb01236.x
Subject(s) - ciliary neurotrophic factor , dorsal root ganglion , biology , neurotrophic factors , embryonic stem cell , genetically modified mouse , ciliary ganglion , transgene , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroscience , neurotrophin , programmed cell death , apoptosis , spinal cord , receptor , biochemistry , gene
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a potent survival factor for several neuronal populations. It is expressed postnatally by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and by some glial and neuronal cells in the central nervous system. We used the promoter of the neurofilament light chain gene to produce transgenic mice that express CNTF in neurons from the beginning of neuronal differentiation. These transgenic animals may represent a suitable model to identify neuronal cell types responsive to CNTF in vivo and to study the mechanism of action of this neurotrophic factor. We show that dorsal root ganglion neurons of transgenic mice expressing CNTF in neurons are protected from apoptosis during embryonic development: 40% of these cells undergo apoptosis between embryonic day 12.5 and postnatal day 5 in transgenic mice whereas 60% do so in control animals. However, protection from apoptosis does not result in an increase in the total number of neurons at the end of development. We discuss our results with regard to CNTF potentialities in vivo and the significance of programmed cell death during development.