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Loss or mutation of p53 is thought to be an early event in the malignant transformation of many human astrocytic tumors. To better understand the role of p53 in their growth and transformation, we developed a model employing cultured neonatal astrocytes derived from mice deficient in one (p53 +/-) or both (p53 -/-) p53 alleles, comparing them with wild-type (p53 +/+) cells. Studies of in vitro and in vivo growth and transformation were performed, and flow cytometry and karyotyping were used to correlate changes in growth with genomic instability. Early-passage (EP) p53 -/- astrocytes achieved higher saturation densities and had more rapid growth than EP p53 +/- and +/+ cells. The EP p53 -/- cells were not transformed, as they were unable to grow in serum-free medium or in nude mice. With continued passaging, p53 -/- cells exhibited a multistep progression to a transformed phenotype. Late-passage p53 -/- cells achieved saturation densities 50 times higher than those of p53 +/+ cells and formed large, well-vascularized tumors in nude mice. p53 +/- astrocytes exhibited early loss of the remaining wild-type p53 allele and then evolved in a manner phenotypically similar to p53 -/- astrocytes. In marked contrast, astrocytes retaining both wild-type p53 alleles never exhibited a transformed phenotype and usually senesced after 7 to 10 passages. Dramatic alterations in ploidy and karyotype occurred and were restricted to cells deficient in wild-type p53 following repeated passaging. The results of these studies suggest that loss of wild-type p53 function promotes genomic instability, accelerated growth, and malignant transformation in astrocytes.

Our studies have been directed to the identification of local, naturally-occurring molecules that support substantia nigra (SN) dopaminergic (DA) neuron survival. We have previously demonstrated that local Type I astrocytes selectively increase the dopaminergic population [30,31]. However, the mechanism of action remains to be defined. To determine whether survival is elicited through diffusible agents, Type I astrocyte conditioned medium (CM) was tested on SN dissociates. After 7 days of exposure to CM, DA neuronal integrity was monitored immunocytochemically with antibody to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the DA biosynthetic enzyme, or by TH catalytic assay. CM increased TH+ cell number greater than 2-fold, suggesting that a soluble factor(s) promoted neuron survival. Neurons cultured in serum free medium (SFM) are known to contain few, but detectable numbers of glia [34]. To examine whether CM affected neurons directly, or indirectly through glia, glial populations were stained with antibody against the glial marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). We employed several approaches to define the potential role of glia. Initially, CM was compared to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a glial mitogen that reportedly enhances nigral DA neuron survival. bFGF enhanced TH activity in our system, as well, but the effect was blocked by the mitotic inhibitor 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FDUR), which kills dividing glia. In parallel studies CM increased enzyme activity and TH cell number in cultures exhibiting GFAP+ cells. To define the role of these glial cells in the CM effect, we completely eliminated astrocytes in CM-treated cultures employing alpha-aminoadipic acid (AA; 10-30 microM), a specific gliotoxin. At a concentration of AA that eliminated detectable GFAP+ cells, CM continued to elicit a significant increase in TH cell number. These data suggest that, in contrast to effects of bFGF, the DA neurotrophic activity in CM acts directly on nigral neurons to enhance survival.

In order to develop a reliable source of human astrocytes for in vitro studies, we established a primary explant culture of a human encephalocele. This culture yielded a population of cells which were karyotypically normal, morphologically resembled astrocytes, expressed glial fibrillary acid protein, and responded mitogenically to exogenous growth factors. We conclude that white matter derived from human encephaloceles can be used to generate pure populations of normal astrocytes.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a heparin-binding protein expressing potent mitogenic and angiogenic properties. Elevated levels of bFGF have recently been described in human glioma cell lines. The high degree of vascularity and invasiveness which characterize human gliomas suggest that activated expression of bFGF or similar proteins may be related to the aberrant growth patterns of these tumors. The influence of endogenous bFGF on glioma cell growth in vitro was evaluated in the present study by down-regulating bFGF expression using antisense oligonucleotide primers. The addition of 50 microM bFGF-specific antisense primer to the human glioma cell line SNB-19 resulted in an 80% inhibition in glioma growth. This effect was saturable and specific. Antisense primers directed to two different sites of bFGF mRNA were effective in suppressing SNB-19 growth, whereas sense strand primer was ineffective. Furthermore, only the antisense primer significantly reduced the specific activity of bFGF protein in SNB-19 cell extracts. Neither antisense or sense primers inhibited the growth of non-transformed human glia. bFGF mRNA was detected in both transformed and non-transformed human glia by polymerase chain reaction analysis suggesting that alterations in bFGF isoform content or activity may be specifically related to abnormal growth control in human gliomas.

Extracts prepared from prenatal, neonatal, and adult rat brain were examined for the presence of astrocyte mitogens. Extracts were characterized by molecular weight separation on Sephadex G-100. Two major peaks of mitogenic activity, at 80K and 23K daltons, were identified in the adult brain extract. Extract prepared from adult tissue also possessed the lowest specific activity. Extract prepared from neonatal rat brain exhibited four general peaks of activity at approximately 80K, 45K, 23K, and 17K daltons. This extract possessed the highest specific activity. Extract prepared from prenatal rat brain contained six general peaks of activity with unique peaks at 67K, 14K, and less than 10K daltons. In addition, this extract possessed a specific activity intermediate between the adult and postnatal extracts. Differences were also noted among the extracts in their requirement for "permissive" factors found in serum necessary for mitogenic activity. The data have implications for the normal development of astrocytes, as well as for the pathological process of gliosis.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the major constituent of glial filaments and is restricted within the CNS to astrocytes. As with other classes of intermediate filament proteins, the regulation of GFAP expression is poorly understood. Utilizing highly purified cultures of astrocytes and a chemically defined (CD) medium, we have demonstrated that the expression of GFAP is subject to regulation by hormones and growth factors. The concentration of GFAP/mg protein was induced 2-4-fold in the presence of hydrocortisone, putrescine, prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), and pituitary fibroblast growth factor (FGF). Augmentation of the levels of GFAP continued for up to 3 weeks after conversion to CD medium and paralleled the morphological maturation of astrocytes. The accumulation of GFAP resulted from an increase in its specific rate of synthesis. Conversion of astrocytes from serum-supplemented (SS) to CD medium did not alter its rate of degradation. GFAP appeared quite stable under both sets of conditions, exhibiting a half-life of approximately 7.5 days. The data demonstrate that GFAP expression in astrocytes is subject to hormonal regulation, which may have implications for gliosis.

Astrocytes purified from primary cultures of neonatal rat cerebrum can now be grown in a synthetic medium supplemented with putrescine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, insulin, fibroblast growth factor, and hydrocortisone. These five supplements have a marked synergistic effect on growth when used in combination but have little effect when used individually. Astrocytes grown in the defined medium exhibit dramatic changes in morphological characteristics in comparison to cells grown in serum-free or serum-supplemented medium. In addition, these cells express the astrocyte-specific marker glial fibrillary acidic protein and are estimated by several criteria to be greater than 95% astrocytes.

Homogeneous cultures of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes provide an excellent model system for studying the regulation of glial structure and function. Recently, a chemically defined (CD) medium was developed for purified cultures of astrocytes, thus eliminating the requirement for serum and providing a controlled system for the study of astroglial properties. Due to the widespread use of astrocyte cultures and the potential benefits to be gained from using a defined medium, astrocyte cultures raised in CD medium were analyzed for purity as well as morphological and biochemical properties. Purity was assessed using immunocytochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and fibronectin. Astrocytes raised in CD medium are 95% pure using the expression of GFAP as a criterion. Fewer than 1% of the cells in CD medium stained positive for fibronectin eliminating the possibility that CD medium is selective for meningeal or endothelial cells. Astrocytes raised in CD medium exhibit a striking degree of morphological differentiation as seen in scanning electron micrographs. They also exhibit a high degree of biochemical differentiation illustrated by increases in the specific activity of S-100 protein and the induction of glutamine synthetase by glucocorticoids. A defined medium that supports the proliferation of rat astrocytes and enhances numerous morphological and biochemical properties should greatly facilitate the study of factors controlling glial proliferation and differentiation.

Purified astrocyte cultures from neonatal rat cerebrum respond to isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, with a transient rise in cAMP production. This astroglial property was regulated by serum, a chemically defined medium (serum-free medium plus hydrocortisone, putrescine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, insulin, and fibroblast growth factor) and epidermal growth factor. Compared to astrocytes grown in serum-supplemented medium, astrocytes grown in the chemically defined medium were nonresponsive to isoproterenol stimulation, and this difference did not appear to be due to selection of a subpopulation of cells by either medium. The data suggest that a decreased beta-adrenergic receptor number and an increased degradation of cAMP may account for the reduced response to beta-adrenergic stimulation. The nonresponsive state of astrocytes in the defined medium was reversible when the medium was replaced with serum-supplemented medium. An active substance(s) in serum was responsible for restoring the responsiveness of astrocytes. Each of the five components of the defined medium had little effect by itself; however, together they acted synergistically to desensitize astrocytes to beta-adrenergic stimulation. On the other hand, epidermal growth factor, a potent mitogen for astrocytes, was very competent by itself in reducing the cAMP response of astrocytes to beta-adrenergic stimulation. Thus purified astrocytes grown in the chemically defined medium appear to be a good model for the study of hormonal interactions and of serum factors which may modulate the beta-adrenergic response.