Localization of oncostatin M receptor beta in adult and developing CNS.

Oncostatin M (OSM) is a member of the interleukin-6 cytokine family, which is involved in definitive hematopoiesis, the development of liver, and local inflammation. However, little is known about the role of OSM in the murine CNS. Using Northern blot analysis, we examined the regional distribution of OSM receptor beta (OSMRbeta) mRNA in the adult CNS. OSMRbeta mRNA was observed predominantly in the olfactory bulb, and with low levels in the other regions. In situ hybridization shows that OSMRbeta gene expression was found in astrocytes of olfactory bulb, epithelial cells of choroid plexus, and meningeal cells in pia mater. In addition, we investigated the gene expression of OSMRbeta in the developing CNS at different time points. Its gene expression was first observed in large neurons of the hypoglossal nucleus at 14.5 days postcoitum, which was sustained until neonatal mice. OSMRbeta mRNA and protein were mainly localized in the ventral subnucleus of the developing hypoglossal nucleus. Our results suggest that OSM contributes to the development of specific subpopulations of both neurons and astrocytes in the murine CNS.