Induction of Perlecan Expression and Neural Cell Proliferation by FGF-2 in the Developing Cerebral Cortex: An In Vivo Study

Fibroblast growth factor has been implicated in cerebral cortical cell proliferation, migration, survival and differentiation. In the nervous system, proteoglycans (PGs) modulate growth factor activities and cell proliferation. Perlecan is a large PG and is expressed during the prenatal stages of brain development. Perlecan can promote fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) activity. In this study the effects of FGF-2 on neurogenesis and perlecan expression in the cerebral cortex have been studied. FGF-2 and anti-FGF-2 antibody were administered to 1-day-old mouse pups through the cisterna magna. Two days after injection, the pups were harvested and brains were removed for further analysis. We used western blotting and immunohistochemistry in order to analyze perlecan expression and neurogenesis in the cerebral cortex. We showed that the thickness of cerebral cortex, the number of cells produced in the cerebral cortex and perlecan expression are increased in response to injection of FGF-2 and decreased in response to infusion of anti-FGF-2 antibody as compared to controls. In conclusion, the results from this study suggest that FGF-2 increases neural cell production and perlecan expression in the developing cerebral cortex. It is also concluded that FGF-2 is an important factor in the cerebral cortical development, stimulating neuronal precursor proliferation.