Stromal derived factor-1 exerts differential regulation on distinct cortical cell populations <it>in vitro</it>

• Main Authors: Zeef Leo, Wright Clare, Pritchett James, Nadarajah Bagirathy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2007-04-01
• Series: BMC Developmental Biology
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-213X/7/31

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Stromal derived factor (SDF-1), an alpha chemokine, is a widely known chemoattractant in the immune system. A growing body of evidence now suggests multiple regulatory roles for SDF-1 in the developing nervous system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To investigate the role of SDF-1 signaling in the growth and differentiation of cortical cells, we performed numerous in <it>vitro </it>experiments, including gene chip and quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Using SDF-1 medium and AMD3100, a receptor antagonist, we demonstrate that the chemokine signaling regulates key events during early cortical development. First, SDF-1 signaling maintains cortical progenitors in proliferation, possibly through a mechanism involving connexin 43 mediated intercellular coupling. Second, SDF-1 signaling upregulates the differentiation of cortical GABAergic neurons, independent of sonic signaling pathway. Third, SDF-1 enables the elongation and branching of axons of cortical glutamatergic neurons. Finally, cortical cultures derived from CXCR4-/- mutants show a close parallel to AMD3100 treatment with reduced cell proliferation and differentiation of GABAergic neurons.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results from this study show that SDF-1 regulates distinct cortical cell populations <it>in vitro</it>.</p>