Fibroblast growth factor-2-producing fibroblasts protect the nigrostriataldopaminergic system from 6-hydroxydopamine

We tested the hypothesis that fibroblasts. which had been genetically engin eered to produce fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), can protect nigrostria tal dopaminergic neurons. Three groups of rats received either a burr hole only (n=5) or implantation of fibroblasts, which had been genetically engin eered to produce beta -galactosidase (beta -gal) (n=8) or FGF-2 (n=8), at t wo sites in the right striatum. Two weeks Inter, the animals received an in jection of 25 mug of 6-hydroxydopamine hydrobromide (6-OHDA) midway between the two implant sites. The group that received FGF-2-fibroblasts had signi ficantly fewer apomorphine-induced rotations than the groups that received a burr hole only or beta -gal-fibroblasts at weeks 2 and 3 following lesion ing with 6-OHDA. Testing for amphetamine-induced rotation revealed a mild r eduction in rotation in the beta -gal-fibroblast group compared to the burr hole only group, but a striking attenuation of amphetamine-induced rotatio n in the FGF-2-fibroblast group. There was also preservation of TH-IR neuro ns on the lesioned side relative to both control groups, The size of the gr afts and the gliosis surrounding the injection sites did not differ between the FGF-2-fibroblast and beta -gal-fibroblast groups. To further character ize the production of FGF-2 by the FGF-2-fibroblasts, we implanted FGF-2-fi broblasts and beta -gal-fibroblast into the striatum of rats but did not le sion the animals with 6-OHDA. The animals were then sacrificed at 1, 2 and 5 weeks following implantation. Prior to implantation the FGF-2 fibroblasts contained 148 ng/mg of FGF-2-immunoreactive (FGF-2-IR) material per mg of protein of cell lysate. After implantation FGF-2-IR material was noted in t he grafts of FGF-2-fibroblasts, most conspicuously at 1 and 2 weeks followi ng implantation. We also noted FGF-2-IR material in the nuclei of reactive astrocytes adjacent to the implants, and OX-42-immunoreactive (OX-42-IR) ce lls adjacent and occasionally within the implants. Our work indicates that fibroblasts genetically engineered to produce FGF-2 and implanted in the st riatum can protect the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system and may be useful in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.