A role for PDGF-C/PDGFR alpha signaling in the formation of the meningeal basement membranes surrounding the cerebral cortex

• Platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C) is one of three known ligands for the tyrosine kinase receptor PDGFR alpha. Analysis of Pdgfc null mice has demonstrated roles for PDGF-C in palate closure and the formation of cerebral ventricles, but redundancy with other PDGFR alpha ligands might obscure additional functions. In search of further developmental roles for PDGF-C, we generated mice that were double mutants for Pdgfc(-/-) and Pdgfra(GFP/+). These mice display a range of severe phenotypes including spina bifida, lung emphysema, abnormal meninges and neuronal over-migration in the cerebral cortex. We focused our analysis on the central nervous system (CNS), where PDGF-C was identified as a critical factor for the formation of meninges and assembly of the glia limitans basement membrane. We also present expression data on Pdgfa, Pdgfc and Pdgfra in the cerebral cortex and microarray data on cerebral meninges.

Subject headings

Medical and Health Sciences  (hsv)

Medical Biotechnology  (hsv)

Medical Biotechnology (with a focus on Cell Biology (including Stem Cell Biology), Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry or Biopharmacy)  (hsv)

Medicin och hälsovetenskap  (hsv)

Medicinsk bioteknologi  (hsv)

Medicinsk bioteknologi (med inriktning mot cellbiologi (inklusive stamcellsbiologi), molekylärbiologi, mikrobiologi, biokemi eller biofarmaci)  (hsv)

Keyword

PDGF-C

Meninges

Basement membrane

Cerebrum

PDGFR alpha