Glial growth factor—like activity in Schwann cell tumors

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Abstract
To determine whether glial growth factor (GGF)–like activity is associated with human Schwann cell tumors, we tested extracts from these tumors for their ability to stimulate the proliferation of rat Schwann cells in culture. Extracts from 3 of 3 bilateral acoustic neuromas and from 5 of 7 unilateral acoustic neuromas demonstrated dose‐dependent stimulation similar to that of partially purified bovine pituitary GGF. One neurofibroma also contained high levels of GGF‐like activity, one demonstrated an intermediate level, and three showed low or no activity. Minimal activity was found in one neurofibrosarcoma and in one trigeminal schwannoma. Non–Schwann cell tumors studied included 3 meningiomas, 2 pituitary adenomas, 1 cerebellar astrocytoma, 1 glioblastoma, 1 hemangioblastoma, and 2 metastatic brain tumors. The cerebellar hemangioblastoma demonstrated high GGF‐like activity; the others showed little or no activity. Normal tissues used as control specimens included brain, peripheral nerve, muscle, and fat. Some activity was noted in one nerve biopsy; all others showed minimal or no GGF‐like activity. High‐performance liquid chromatography demonstrated that the GGF‐like activity from two acoustic neuromas eluted in a single peak close to that of bovine pituitary GGF. We conclude that acoustic neuromas contain a factor that is closely related to bovine pituitary GGF and that this factor may have a role in the abnormal proliferation of Schwann cells in these tumors.