biostudies-literatureChalasani SHNINDS NIH HHS4601-12https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6740796biostudies-literatureUnknown23(11)The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is expressed in the embryonic and mature CNS, yet its normal physiological function in neurons remains obscure. Here, we show that its cognate chemokine, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), promotes the survival of cultured embryonic retinal ganglion cell neurons even in the absence of other neurotrophic factors. This survival effect is mediated primarily through a cAMP-dependent pathway that acts through protein kinase A and MAP kinase. Addition of SDF-1 to a human neuronal cell line induces phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase and GSK3beta. Mouse embryos lacking the CXCR4 receptor have a reduced number of retinal ganglion cells. The ligand of CXCR4, SDF-1, may therefore provide generalized trophic support to neurons during their development and maturationThe Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for NeuroscienceThe chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 promotes the survival of embryonic retinal ganglion cells.PMC6740796R01 NS026527R01-NS26527Baribaud FDoms RWLittman DRCoughlan CMLee VMRaper JAChalasani SHSunshine MJfalseThe chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 promotes the survival of embryonic retinal ganglion cells.The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is expressed in the embryonic and mature CNS, yet its normal physiological function in neurons remains obscure. Here, we show that its cognate chemokine, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), promotes the survival of cultured embryonic retinal ganglion cell neurons even in the absence of other neurotrophic factors. This survival effect is mediated primarily through a cAMP-dependent pathway that acts through protein kinase A and MAP kinase. Addition of SDF-1 to a human neuronal cell line induces phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase and GSK3beta. Mouse embryos lacking the CXCR4 receptor have a reduced number of retinal ganglion cells. The ligand of CXCR4, SDF-1, may therefore provide generalized trophic support to neurons during their development and maturation2003-01-01T00:00:00Z2003 Jun2025-04-04T12:25:43.764Z2019-09-26T07:05:50ZS-EPMC67407961280530010.1523/jneurosci.23-11-04601.200310.1523/JNEUROSCI.23-11-04601.2003