Eletrophysiological Changes in NF1
Abstract
The K current types of human cultures Schwann cells (SC) formed a continuum from normal SC to malignant tumor SC, with A type K current found in quiescent normal SC never exposed to exogenous growth factors such as glial growth factor (GGF, human recombinant heregulin) and in SC from the dermal neurofibroma, and with non-inactivating K current found in the more malignant tumor cultures. Blocking the non-inactivating K current blocked proliferation. A manuscript based on the findings form the second year of the grant was published (Fieber et al 2003). We discovered a component of tumor K current called Ca2+ - activated K current. We believe this is the current component that induces proliferation in NFl Schwann cells (SC). Thus our experimental objectives during the third and fourth years of the project were to identify Ca2+ - activated K Current 5 is SC from our different NFl cultures and to test the effects on cell proliferation of blocking these currents. A specific blocker of this subtype of Ca2+ - activated K current blocked 21-35% of the current of NFl-derived SC. One proliferating normal SC culture showed no inhibition of proliferation by the drug. We believe that the Ca2+ - activated K current of NFl SC is a worthwhile focus of future experiments on the electrophysiological characteristics of NFl SC.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA420897
Entities
People
- Lynne A. Fieber
Organizations
- University of Miami