FGF and EGF are mitogens for immortalized neural progenitors.

Individual neural progenitors, derived from the external germinal layer of neonatal murine cerebellum, were previously immortalized by the retrovirus-mediated transduction of avian myc (v-myc). C17-2 is one of those clonal multipotent progenitor cell lines (Snyder et al., 1992, Cell 68: 33-51; Ryder et al., 1990, J. Neurobiol. 21:356-375). When transplanted into newborn mouse cerebellum (CB), the cells participate in normal CB development; they engraft in a cytoarchitecturally appropriate, nontumorigenic manner and differentiate into multiple CB cell types (neuronal and glial) similar to endogenous progenitors (Snyder et al., 1992, as above). They also appear to engraft and participate in the development of multiple other structures along the neural axis and at multiple other stages (Snyder et al., 1993, Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 19). Thus conclusions regarding these immortalized progenitors may be applicable to endogenous neural progenitors in vivo. To help identify and analyze factors that promote differentiation of endogenous progenitors, we first investigated the ability to maintain C17-2 cells in a defined, serum-free medium (N2). The cells survive in vitro in N2 but undergo mitosis at a very low rate. Addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF), however, either from mouse submaxillary gland or the human recombinant protein, appreciably stimulates thymidine incorporation and cell division approximately threefold. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an even more potent mitogen, promoting thymidine incorporation, cell division, and a net increase in cell number equal to that in serum. Both EGF and bFGF are active at very low nanomolar concentrations, suggesting that they interact with their respective receptors rather than a homologous receptor system. The findings demonstrate that C17-2 cells can be maintained and propagated in a fully defined medium, providing the basis for analysis of other growth and differentiation factors. That EGF and particularly bFGF are mitogenic for these cells is in accord with recent observations on primary neural tissue (Reynolds and Weiss, 1992, Science 255:1707-1710; Kilpatrick and Bartlett, 1993, Neuron 10:255-265; Ray et al., 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:3602-3606) suggesting that bFGF and EGF responsiveness may be fundamental properties of neural progenitors.

Zinc blocks apical membrane anion exchange in gallbladder epithelium.

The effect of Zn2+ on Cl- transport across the apical membrane of Necturus gallbladder epithelium was studied with intracellular conventional and Cl(-)-selective microelectrodes and measurements of apparent base secretion. Most studies were done on tissues incubated in HEPES-buffered solutions; intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels were elevated by adding to the serosal bathing medium either theophylline or dibutyryl cAMP. Under these conditions, Zn2+ (added to mucosal solution) had no effect on membrane voltages, apparent cell membrane resistance ratio, or rapid depolarization induced by reducing mucosal solution [Cl-]. However, Zn2+ reduced the rate of cell membrane repolarization during exposure to the low-Cl- solution and decreased significantly the rate of fall of intracellular Cl- activity (alpha Cli) elicited by lowering mucosal solution [Cl-]. Both effects were time dependent, became significant after 10 min, and were slowly reversible. In tissues not stimulated by cAMP and incubated in a HCO3-CO2-buffered solution, Zn2+ also reduced the rate of fall of alpha Cli on lowering mucosal solution [Cl-]. Base secretion from cells to mucosal solution was assessed from changes in mucosal pH on stopping superfusion with a poorly buffered (1 mM HEPES) medium in the presence of 1 mM amiloride or a Na(+)-free medium, without cAMP stimulation. Exposure to Zn2+ reduced the alkalinization observed with both protocols. We conclude that Zn2+ has no effect on apical membrane Cl- conductance stimulated by cAMP and inhibits Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange. The slow onset and reversal of the effects suggests slow binding of Zn2+, a covalent modification of the exchanger, or an effect requiring Zn2+ transport to the cell interior.