Rapid TGFβ1 effects on actin cytoskeleton of astrocytes: Comparison with other factors and implications for cell motility

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Abstract
We have previously shown that long‐term treatment of primary cultured astrocytes with TGFβ1 induces morphological changes accompanied by increases in actin and GFAP synthesis, and a profound rearrangement of the cytoskeleton. The present report describes the short‐term reorganization of actin filaments induced by TGFβ1 in rat cerebellum cultured astrocytes and in an astrocytic cell line. TGFβ1 caused the appearance of new actin and vinculin organizations, without protein synthesis. This cytoskeletal rearrangement was followed by altered cell‐cell interactions. All these changes induced by TGFβ1 were different and slower than those induced by serum, PDGF, and endothelin. TGFβ1 induced the appearance of lamellipodia, organelles found at the cell front of motile cells in low‐density cultures of immortalized astrocytes. These results indicate that the changes in the astrocyte cytoskeleton induced by TGFβ1 are probably associated with cell movement. The events promoted by TGFβ1 might help to clarify its action in the brain during embryogenesis and in tissue repair. Copy 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.