Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors Control Competence to Interpret Leukemia Inhibitory Factor as an Astrocyte Inducer in Developing Cortex

摘要: Cortical progenitors begin to interpret leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) as astrocyte-inducing signals during late embryonic cortical development, coincident with an increase in their expression of epidermal growth receptors (EGFRs). To determine whether the developmental change EGFRs regulates responsiveness LIF BMP, we analyzed induced express prematurely from EGFR-null cortex. Premature elevation conferred premature competence LIF, but not signal. cortex did signal responded BMP4. cells was rescued by addition stimulation fibroblast receptors. Astrocyte differentiation depends on transducer activator transcription 3 (STAT3). We show that level STAT3 increases development a subset progenitors. regulate this phosphorylation response LIF. Increasing retrovirus also increased In contrast finding EGFRs, however, increasing cause induce astrocytes, although it reduced neurogenic PAX6 (paired box gene 6 ). Our findings changes elevate its is sufficient astrocyte induction, suggesting downstream STAT3.