Effects of bFGF and EGF on expression of β1 integrin in mouse neuroepithelial cells

Abstract

Integrins are cell adhesion and signaling molecules formed by two transmembrane subunits, α and β. In neuroepithelial cells (NECs) which consist of proliferative immature neural precursor cells capable of differentiating into glial or neuronal cells, β1 integrin is highly expressed as one of the subunits. The β1 integrin is known as a ligand for extracellular matrix and have been shown to play important roles in self renewal, proliferation, migration, and differentiation of NECs. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are also known to promote the proliferation and self renewal of NECs. In this study, we analyzed the effects of bFGF and EGF on β1 integrin expression in NECs and found that β1 integrin expression in NECs was increased by these growth factors in a dose‐dependent manner. These results suggest that bFGF/EGF and β1 integrin modulate NEC fates such as proliferation and self renewal via their crosstalk. (This work was supported by USPHS grants NS11853, AG027199 and a grant from the Childrens′ Medical Research Foundation, Chicago, IL.)