Expression of p75^NGFR trkA, and trkB mRNA in rat C6 glioma and type I astrocyte cultures

Using a quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) we have investigated the expression of the neurotrophin receptors p75^NGFR, trkA, and trkB, mRNAs in cultures of rat pup type I astrocytes and in the C6 rat glioma cell line. All three neurotrophin receptor mRNAs are expressed in both C6 cells and in type I astrocytic cultures. p75^NGFR mRNA levels are increased by either cycloheximide or nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment of C6 cells as measured using RT‐PCR. Type I astrocyte cultures also expressed p75^NGFR mRNA and NGF treatment increased p75^NGFR mRNA levels in these cultures. TrkB mRNA levels were increased by cycloheximide treatment of type I astrocyte cultures but not by NGF treatment. Using RT‐PCR, trkA mRNA was detected in astrocytic cultures as well as in the rat C6 and PC‐12 cell lines. We conclude that cultures of type I astrocytes express active NGF receptors and that glia can elicit a response to NGF as seen by an increase in p75^NGFR mRNA levels following exposure to NGF. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.