EGF infusion stimulates the proliferation and migration of embryonic progenitor cells transplanted in the adult rat striatum

Immature progenitor cells (generated by in vitro propagation) may provide a useful alternative to primary cells (from dissected embryonic tissue) for transplantation if their migratory and proliferative and differentiation pr operties can be controlled and directed in vivo. In this study E15 murine E GF-responsive progenitor cells were transplanted to the striatum of adult r ats. Simultaneously, these animals received continuous infusion of either e pidermal growth factor (EGF) or vehicle, to the lateral ventricle, for 8 da ys. In animals that received EGF, the transplanted progenitors migrated tow ard the lateral ventricle and proliferated, as evidenced by bromodeoxyuridi ne incorporation. Progenitor cells transplanted to rats that received vehic le infusions showed neither of these responses. In all animals, transplante d progenitors expressed an immature astrocyte or oligodendrocyte phenotype, the majority of cells being astrocytes. We conclude that EGF stimulates th e migration and proliferation of murine progenitor cells in vivo either dir ectly or indirectly, but does not influence their phenotypic differentiatio n. (C) 2000 Academic Press.