Immunofluorescence and biochemical techniques to detect nuclear localization of ciliary neurotrophic factor in glial cells.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) promotes the survival of several populations of neurons, including sensory and motor neurons. It is mainly produced by Schwann cells and astrocytes and exerts its biological function via a specific membrane receptor. We recently determined the nuclear localization of CNTF in producing cells, after transfection and in the heterologous system of Xenopus oocytes. In the present paper, we describe in detail the techniques for the detection of CNTF in the nucleus of rat astrocytes, transfected cells, isolated nuclei and injected Xenopus oocytes.