LEUKEMIA INHIBITORY FACTOR AND CILIARY NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR IN SENSORYNEURON DEVELOPMENT

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF),-ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and related proteins are potentially involved in several aspects of se nsory neuron development. There is evidence that LIF promotes the diff erentiation of sensory neurons from progenitor cells of neural crest o rigin. Later in development, LIF, CNTF, oncostatin M and interleukin-6 promote the survival of cultured neurons. Some neurons, like those of the nodose ganglion, respond early in their de development to these f actors, whereas other neurons, like those of the trigeminal ganglion, respond much later. In addition to promoting sensory neuron survival, there is some evidence that LIF is able to influence neurotransmitter and neuropeptide expression in these neurons. These observations sugge st that several kinds of sensory neurons may be influenced in various ways by LIF and related factors at different stages of their developme nt.