Abstract
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is overexpressed in most high-grade human gliomas, implying that it is involved in the pathogenesis of these tumors. To assess the biological effect of inappropriate production of bFGF in normal astrocytes, we developed a system for glia-specific gene transfer in transgenic mice. A transgene encoding the receptor for subgroup A avian leukosis virus and controlled by the astrocyte-specific glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter permits efficient glia-specific transfer of genes carried by subgroup A avian leukosis virus vectors. With this system, we have demonstrated that bFGF induces proliferation and migration of glial cells in vivo, without the induction of tumors.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Alkaline Phosphatase / genetics
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Alpharetrovirus / genetics
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Alpharetrovirus / pathogenicity
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Animals
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Astrocytes / physiology*
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Astrocytes / virology
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Avian Proteins
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Cell Division / genetics
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Cell Movement / genetics*
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Cell Transformation, Viral
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Cells, Cultured
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Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / genetics*
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Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / physiology
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Gene Transfer Techniques*
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Genes, Reporter
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / genetics
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Humans
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Mice
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Mice, Transgenic
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Promoter Regions, Genetic
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Receptors, Virus / analysis
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Receptors, Virus / genetics
Substances
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Avian Proteins
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
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Receptors, Virus
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Tva receptor
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Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
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Alkaline Phosphatase