Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a proliferation factor for rat C6 glioma cells: evidence from antisense experiments.

Growth factors play an important role in proliferation and differentiation of malignant brain gliomas in humans. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been shown recently to be highly expressed in human glioblastomas and in rat glial cell lines B49 and C6. The aim of the present study was to knockdown GDNF, its receptor GFR-alpha1, and the related family member persephin by using antisense oligonucleotides and to observe the effects on cell proliferation. To enhance cellular uptake into C6 glioma cells, 15-mer phosphorothioate oligonucleotides were complexed with the cationic lipid Lipofectamine. The complex was applied for 3 x 12 hours to C6 glioma cells, and cells were allowed to recover for 24 hours after each transfection and then analyzed. This protocol markedly reduced GDNF and GFR-alpha1 protein levels in C6 glioma cells compared with control oligonucleotides. Knockdown of C6 cells with GDNF and GFR-alpha1 but not with persephin antisense oligonucleotides significantly decreased the number of C6 glioma cells and also inhibited the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine as a sign of reduced DNA synthesis. In conclusion, it is shown that GDNF but not persephin is a potent proliferation factor for rat glioma cells. Knockdown of GDNF using antisense oligonucleotides complexed with lipids as carriers may be useful in gene therapeutic approaches in vitro and possibly also in vivo.