Dopamine increases glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in human fetal astrocytes

The use of fetal astrocytes for gene delivery into brains with neurodegenerative diseases has been suggested. Therefore, the effects of neurotransmitters in the brain on such cells are of interest. The presence of D-1 (D-1A) receptors and the effect of dopamine on a fetal human astrocyte cell line (SVG cells) in vitro were examined. SVG cells expressed D-1 (D-1A), but not D-5 (D-1B) receptors, as shown by RT-PCR. Exposure to dopamine, apomorphine, and the specific D-1 agonist, SKF-38393, increased glial-derived neurotrophic factor production of SVG cells, as well as intracellular free calcium. Exposure to the specific D-1 antagonist, SCH 23390, blocked these effects. Thus, if implanted into a brain region rich in dopamine, or if transfected with the tyrosine hydroxylase gene, fetal astrocytes may serve as paracrine/autocrine cells capable of supplying critical growth factors to diseased brain tissue. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.