CONTRASTING EFFECTS OF MITOGENIC GROWTH-FACTORS ON OLIGODENDROCYTE PRECURSOR CELL-MIGRATION

We have examined the effects of the mitogenic growth factors platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) an d glial growth factor-2 (GGF-2) on oligodendrocyte precursor migration . In an agarose drop migration assay PDGF and bFGF stimulated migratio n while GGF-2 had no effect. The migration-enhancing effect of bFGF ca nnot be blocked by neutralising antibodies against PDGF, confirming th at this effect is direct and not mediated via upregulation of PDGF rec eptors. Based on our results, we propose a model in which the differin g effects of PDGF and GGF-2 ensure appropriate numbers of oligodendroc yte precursor cells in the vicinity of axone to be myelinated during d evelopment. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.