Cometin is a novel neurotrophic factor that promotes neurite outgrowth and neuroblast migration in vitro and supports survival of spiral ganglion neurons in vivo

Jesper Roland Jørgensen, Anette Fransson, Lone Fjord-Larsen, Lachlan H Thompson, Jeffrey P Houchins, Nuno Andrade, Malene Torp, Nisse Kalkkinen, Elisabet Andersson, Olle Lindvall, Mats Ulfendahl, Søren Brunak, Teit E Johansen, Lars U Wahlberg

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

65 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Neurotrophic factors are secreted proteins responsible for migration, growth and survival of neurons during development, and for maintenance and plasticity of adult neurons. Here we present a novel secreted protein named Cometin which together with Meteorin defines a new evolutionary conserved protein family. During early mouse development, Cometin is found exclusively in the floor plate and from E13.5 also in dorsal root ganglions and inner ear but apparently not in the adult nervous system. In vitro, Cometin promotes neurite outgrowth from dorsal root ganglion cells which can be blocked by inhibition of the Janus or MEK kinases. In this assay, additive effects of Cometin and Meteorin are observed indicating separate receptors. Furthermore, Cometin supports migration of neuroblasts from subventricular zone explants to the same extend as stromal cell derived factor 1a. Given the neurotrophic properties in vitro, combined with the restricted inner ear expression during development, we further investigated Cometin in relation to deafness. In neomycin deafened guinea pigs, two weeks intracochlear infusion of recombinant Cometin supports spiral ganglion neuron survival and function. In contrast to the control group receiving artificial perilymph, Cometin treated animals retain normal electrically-evoked brainstem response which is maintained several weeks after treatment cessation. Neuroprotection is also evident from stereological analysis of the spiral ganglion. Altogether, these studies show that Cometin is a potent new neurotrophic factor with therapeutic potential.
Original languageEnglish
JournalExperimental Neurology
Volume233
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)172-81
Number of pages10
ISSN0014-4886
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Keywords

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Central Nervous System
  • Cerebral Ventricles
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • Deafness
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Neomycin
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neural Stem Cells
  • Neurites
  • Neurons
  • Neuropeptides
  • Rats
  • Spiral Ganglion
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Transfection

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