Ganglioside GM1 Does Not Initiate, but Enhances Neurite Regeneration of Nerve Growth Factor‐Dependent Sensory Neurones

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Abstract
An enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) for neurofilament protein was used to quantify the effect of exogenous ganglioside on neurite regeneration in cultures of [chicken] dorsal root ganglion neurons. In contrast to nerve growth factor (NGF), ganglioside GM1 (100 .mu.g/ml) failed to support neuronal survival and neurite regeneration as quantified by the ELISA assay and confirmed by morphological criteria. The simultaneous presence of GM1 (100 .mu.g/ml) and NGF (0.5-5 ng/ml) throughout a 5-day period of culture resulted in an enhancement of NGF-induced increases in the expression of neurofilament protein. The addition of GM1 (0-200 .mu.g/ml) at 48 h in vitro to cultures initially established in the presence of 5 ng/ml NGF substantially increased the subsequent expression of neurofilament protein, this response being both independent of and not potentiated by NGF. Apparently, GM1 cannot initiate a program of neurite regeneration; GM1 can enhance this process with the response being secondary to the effect of NGF.