Growth promoting effects of IGF-I on fetal hypothalamic cell lines under serum-free culture conditions

Ignacio Torres-Aleman, Frederick Naftolin, Richard J. Robbins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent evidence indicates that the insulin-like family of peptides may act as endogenous trophic factors in the central nervous system. To further examine this possibility we have investigated the effects of three insulin-like peptides on the in vitro growth of fetal hypothalamic cell lines. Two virally transformed rat hypothalamic cell lines which have been developed in our laboratory (A-6 and F-12) were used. Cells were plated at varying densities and cultured in the presence or absence of either insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin, or multiplication stimulating activity (MSA or IGF-II), in serum-free medium for 1 wk. Cell growth was assessed by counting or by measuring cellular incorporation of 3H-thymidine. Of the three peptides tested IGF-I was the most potent in eliciting cell growth. Insulin also stimulated growth of both cell lines, but was 100 times less potent for A-6 cells while it was equipotent with IGF-I in F-12 cells. MSA had no effect on either cell line. Both IGF-I and insulin showed dose-response effects in increasing cell growth. We also found that the two cell lines had the greatest response to IGF-I at low cell densities. Finally, time-course experiments suggested that a continued presence of the peptide is essential for the growth-promoting effects. We conclude that IGF-I is a potent growth factor for virally transformed cell lines derived from the rat fetal hypothalamus. Since both IGF-I immunoreactivity and IGF-I receptors have been located in this diencephalic area these results suggest that IGF-I may constitute a mitogenic signal for hypothalamic cells during neurogenesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)195-202
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Developmental Neuroscience
Volume7
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1989

Keywords

  • Brain growth
  • Growth promotion
  • Hypothalamic cells
  • Insulin
  • Insulin-like growth factors
  • Serum-free culture

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology

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