in serum-free liquid culture of epidermal growth factor (EGF) responsive. nestin-positive stem cells from adult mice has opened possibilities for fully exploring the nature of the neural stem cell regulatory system and the elucidation of the neuropoietic system. We have reproduced the original work of Reynolds, Weiss and colleagues and in extensive studies established the in vitro clonal growth of EGF responsive progenitor cells in semi-solid soft ager culture. WE have established an initial matrix of cytokine receptor expression by neurosphere cells (determined by RT-PCR) showing the expression of 22 separate cytokine receptors along with expression of a number their ligands. We've also shown that one of these receptors (c-fms) is expressed and that the neurosphere cells respond both with proliferation and with differentiation to CSF-1. We've characterized several of the neurotrophins and c-kit by antibody staining and used the monoclonal antibody to c-kit to physically separate neural cells for further analysis. We have also characterized neurosphere cells with regard to light scatter and Hoechst staining by fluorescence-activated cell sorting showing a differential expression of c-kit in different phases of cell cycle. We plan to continue to develop the cytokine receptor matrix of neurosphere cells, using RT-PCR, antibody staining and functional effects of a variety of cytokines and analyzing cytokine receptor induction by exposure to specific cytokines. We will utilize the knowledge of cytokine receptor expression, cell cycle status and other physical and metabolic parameters to separate sub-populations of neurosphere cells by fluorescent activating cell sorting. This data should allow us to elucidate the heterogeneity of the neuropoietic progenitor/stem cell system and determine the regulatory features of this system, including both microenvironmental and cytokine requirements.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01CA068426-03
Application #
6300493
Study Section
Project Start
2000-01-01
Project End
2000-12-31
Budget Start
1998-10-01
Budget End
1999-09-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$171,992
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester
Department
Type
DUNS #
660735098
City
Worcester
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01655
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Savarese, Todd M; Jang, Taichang; Low, Hoi Pang et al. (2005) Isolation of immortalized, INK4a/ARF-deficient cells from the subventricular zone after in utero N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea exposure. J Neurosurg 102:98-108
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Schonhoff, Christopher M; Daou, Marie-Claire; Jones, Stephen N et al. (2002) Nitric oxide-mediated inhibition of Hdm2-p53 binding. Biochemistry 41:13570-4
Engstrom, Caron M; Demers, Delia; Dooner, Mark et al. (2002) A method for clonal analysis of epidermal growth factor-responsive neural progenitors. J Neurosci Methods 117:111-21
Li, Li; Liu, Fenghua; Salmonsen, Rebecca A et al. (2002) PTEN in neural precursor cells: regulation of migration, apoptosis, and proliferation. Mol Cell Neurosci 20:21-9
Recht, L D; Salmonsen, R; Rosetti, R et al. (2001) Antitumor effects of ajulemic acid (CT3), a synthetic non-psychoactive cannabinoid. Biochem Pharmacol 62:755-63

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