LIF is more potent than BDNF in promoting neurite outgrowth of mammalian auditory neurons in vitro

Abstract

Neurotrophic factors are known to play a crucial role in the elongation and guidance of auditory nerve fibres to their targets within the organ of Corti. Maintenance of these neural connections following deafness would clearly influence the efficacy of therapies for hearing recovery. The growth factors leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), brain-Derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and transforming growth factor-Beta 5 (TGF-β5) were tested for their efficacy in promoting neurite outgrowth from dissociated cultures of early postnatal rat auditory neurons. Our results indicate that while BDNF enhances neurite outgrowth in a strong fashion, LIF is more potent; moreover, the combined administration o..