The transforming growth factor-βs (TGF-βs) comprise a family of pleiotropic members that signal through two types of serine/threonine kinase receptors, named TGFRI (TGF-β type I receptor) and TGFRII (TGF-β type II receptor). We previously demonstrated that cortical neurons increase the astrocyte maturation marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and thus, astrocyte differentiation, by inducing TGF-β1 secretion by astrocytes in vitro. Although TGF-β receptor expression has been described in different brain regions and cell types, their localization is still a subject of discussion. In the present work, we analyzed TGFRII expression in cultured cortical astrocytes from embryonic and newborn animals by immunocytochemistry, Western blot, and reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We report for the first time expression of TGFRII in embryonic glia. TGFRII immunostaining was punctual and spread throughout the cellular membrane of embryonic and newborn astrocytes. Western blot and RT-PCR assays revealed similar levels of the receptor in astrocytes from different ages. Identification of TGFRII in embryonic astrocytes is novel and might point to the multipotent precursor cell, radial glia, as a potential target for TGFβ1 during astrocyte development.
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1 July 2006
CHARACTERIZATION OF TGF-β1 TYPE II RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN CULTURED CORTICAL ASTROCYTES
VIVIAN DE OLIVEIRA SOUSA,
JULIANA CARVALHO ALMEIDA,
CRISTIANE MONTEIRO ELLER,
FLÁVIA CARVALHO ALCANTARA GOMES
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In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal
Vol. 42 • No. 7
July 2006
Vol. 42 • No. 7
July 2006
astrocyte differentiation
CNS development
TGFRII
TGF-β1