Effect of neu differentiation factor isoforms on neonatal oligodendrocyte function

Previous studies have suggested that neu differentiation factor (NDF), a member of the neuregulin (NRG) family of growth factors, may regulate the development of PNS and CNS glial cells. There is limited information concerning the potential role of NDF on the development of neonatal (immature) oligodendrocytes (OLG) into adult OLG. We now report the effect of the two major isoform families of NDF (NDFα and NDFβ) on the development of cultured rat neonatal OLG. Immunocytochemical and western blot analyses of neonatal OLG using anti‐erb‐B antibodies revealed that these immature OLG express all four members of NRG (erb‐B) receptors. Treatment of neonatal OLG with varying concentrations of either NDFα or NDFβ did not have a mitogenic effect on cultured neonatal OLG. Pretreatment of immature OLG with either of the NDF isoforms also did not influence the subsequent mitogenicity of other known OLG mitogens. However, treatment of neonatal OLG with either isoform of NDF influenced the survival of these cells by protecting the cells from apoptosis. Additionally, treatment of neonatal OLG with either NDFα or NDFβ resulted in more extensive process formation compared to control, non‐treated OLG. J. Neurosci. Res. 50:755–768, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.