GLIAL-CELL LINE-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR (GDNF), A NEW NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR FOR MOTONEURONS

GLIAL cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been postulated to be a specific dopaminergic neurotrophic factor since it selectivel y enhances the survival of dopaminergic neurones in vitro. We report h ere that GDNF can also act as a neurotrophic factor for motoneurones. GDNF released by GDNF-transfected BHK cells increases the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in cultures from embryonic rat ventra l mesencephalon containing cholinergic neurones from cranial motor nuc lei and in cultured spinal motoneurones. Furthermore, local applicatio n of polymer-encapsulated BHK cells releasing GDNF to transected facia l nerve in newborn rats diminishes the death of motoneurones normally occurring after axotomy in the neonatal period. The present results in dicate that GDNF may have a therapeutic potential in human motoneurone diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.