Mechano growth factor, a splice variant of IGF-1, promotes neurogenesis in the aging mouse brain.

Tang JJ, Podratz JL, Lange M, Scrable HJ, Jang MH, Windebank AJ

Molecular brain7 Jul 2017Cited by 13 (Europe PMC)

PMID28683812PMCIDPMC5501366DOI10.1186/s13041-017-0304-0PepBankPUB-28683812

Summary

Mechano growth factor (MGF) is a splice variant of IGF-1 first described in skeletal muscle. MGF induces muscle cell proliferation in response to muscle stress and injury. In control mice we found endogenous expression of MGF in neurogenic areas of the brain and these levels declined with age. To better understand the role of MGF in the brain, we used transgenic mice that constitutively overexpressed MGF from birth. MGF overexpression significantly increased the number of BrdU+ proliferative cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus and subventricular zone (SVG). Although MGF overexpression increased the overall rate of adult hippocampal neurogenesis at the proliferation stage it did not alter the distribution of neurons at post-mitotic maturation stages. We then used the lac-operon system to conditionally overexpress MGF in the mouse brain beginning at 1, 3 and 12 months with histological and behavioral observation at 24 months of age. With conditional overexpression there was an increase of BrdU+ proliferating cells and BrdU+ differentiated mature neurons in the olfactory bulbs at 24 months when overexpression was induced from 1 and 3 months of age but not when started at 12 months. This was associated with preserved olfactory function. In vitro, MGF increased the size and number of neurospheres harvested from SVZ-derived neural stem cells (NSCs). These findings indicate that MGF overexpression increases the number of neural progenitor cells and promotes neurogenesis but does not alter the distribution of adult newborn neurons at post-mitotic stages. Maintaining youthful levels of MGF may be important in reversing age-related neuronal loss and brain dysfunction.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study7

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured1

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

01AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In control mice, endogenous MGF expression in neurogenic areas of the brain declined with age.
In plain wordsIn mice, the body's own MGF levels in brain areas that make new neurons fell with age.
Peptide
MGF / PEG-MGF
Outcome
DecreaseEndogenous MGF expression in neurogenic brain areas with age
Study
mousen: not reported in source
Control mice
Outcome group
Aging markers · Aging and longevity
Source sentences
Summary
In control mice we found endogenous expression of MGF in neurogenic areas of the brain and these levels declined with age.
This result measures the body's own MGF / PEG-MGF. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2868381201

Studies that did not test the peptide alone6

In this study, MGF / PEG-MGF was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking MGF / PEG-MGF.

02AnimalNot a test of MGF / PEG-MGF aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In transgenic mice overexpressing MGF, the number of BrdU+ proliferative cells increased in the dentate gyrus and subventricular zone.
In plain wordsIn mice engineered to make more MGF, more dividing cells were found in two brain regions.
Peptide
MGF / PEG-MGF
Outcome
IncreaseBrdU+ proliferative cells in dentate gyrus and subventricular zone
Study
mousen: not reported in source
Transgenic mice constitutively overexpressing MGF
Outcome group
Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
Source sentences
Summary
MGF overexpression significantly increased the number of BrdU+ proliferative cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus and subventricular zone (SVG).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To better understand the role of MGF in the brain, we used transgenic mice that constitutively overexpressed MGF from birth.
In this study, MGF / PEG-MGF was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking MGF / PEG-MGF.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2868381202
03AnimalNot a test of MGF / PEG-MGF aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In transgenic mice overexpressing MGF, the overall rate of adult hippocampal neurogenesis increased at the proliferation stage.
In plain wordsIn mice engineered to make more MGF, new brain cell production in the hippocampus rose at the early stage.
Peptide
MGF / PEG-MGF
Outcome
IncreaseAdult hippocampal neurogenesis rate at proliferation stage
Study
mousen: not reported in source
Transgenic mice constitutively overexpressing MGF
Outcome group
Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
Source sentences
Summary
Although MGF overexpression increased the overall rate of adult hippocampal neurogenesis at the proliferation stage
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To better understand the role of MGF in the brain, we used transgenic mice that constitutively overexpressed MGF from birth.
In this study, MGF / PEG-MGF was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking MGF / PEG-MGF.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2868381203
04AnimalNot a test of MGF / PEG-MGF aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In transgenic mice overexpressing MGF, the distribution of neurons at post-mitotic maturation stages did not change.
In plain wordsIn mice engineered to make more MGF, the spread of neurons at later maturation stages did not change.
Peptide
MGF / PEG-MGF
Outcome
No significant changeDistribution of neurons at post-mitotic maturation stages
Study
mousen: not reported in source
Transgenic mice constitutively overexpressing MGF
Outcome group
Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
Source sentences
Summary
it did not alter the distribution of neurons at post-mitotic maturation stages.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To better understand the role of MGF in the brain, we used transgenic mice that constitutively overexpressed MGF from birth.
In this study, MGF / PEG-MGF was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking MGF / PEG-MGF.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2868381204
05AnimalNot a test of MGF / PEG-MGF aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mice with conditional MGF overexpression, BrdU+ proliferating cells and mature neurons in the olfactory bulbs increased at 24 months when induction started at 1 and 3 months, but not at 12 months.
In plain wordsIn mice with extra MGF from a young age, more new neurons appeared in the smell centre. Starting at 12 months did not help.
Peptide
MGF / PEG-MGF
Outcome
MixedBrdU+ proliferating and mature neurons in olfactory bulb with conditional overexpression
Study
mousen: not reported in source
Mice with conditional MGF overexpression
Outcome group
Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
Source sentences
Summary
With conditional overexpression there was an increase of BrdU+ proliferating cells and BrdU+ differentiated mature neurons in the olfactory bulbs at 24 months when overexpression was induced from 1 and 3 months of age but not when started at 12 months.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We then used the lac-operon system to conditionally overexpress MGF in the mouse brain beginning at 1, 3 and 12 months with histological and behavioral observation at 24 months of age.
In this study, MGF / PEG-MGF was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking MGF / PEG-MGF.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2868381205
06AnimalNot a test of MGF / PEG-MGF aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In mice with conditional MGF overexpression, the increase in olfactory bulb cells was associated with preserved olfactory function.
In plain wordsIn mice engineered to make more MGF, more new neurons went with a preserved sense of smell.
Peptide
MGF / PEG-MGF
Outcome
IncreaseOlfactory function
Study
mousen: not reported in source
Mice with conditional MGF overexpression
Outcome group
Cognition and memory · Nervous system and cognition
Source sentences
Summary
This was associated with preserved olfactory function.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We then used the lac-operon system to conditionally overexpress MGF in the mouse brain beginning at 1, 3 and 12 months with histological and behavioral observation at 24 months of age.
In this study, MGF / PEG-MGF was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking MGF / PEG-MGF.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2868381206
07LabNot a test of MGF / PEG-MGF aloneIn vitro (cells)Efficacy outcome
In vitro, MGF increased the size and number of neurospheres harvested from SVZ-derived neural stem cells.
In plain wordsIn cells, MGF increased the size and number of neural stem cell clusters grown in the lab.
Peptide
MGF / PEG-MGF
Outcome
IncreaseNeurosphere size and number
Study
n: not reported in source
SVZ-derived neural stem cells
Outcome group
Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
Source sentences
Summary
In vitro, MGF increased the size and number of neurospheres harvested from SVZ-derived neural stem cells (NSCs).
In this study, MGF / PEG-MGF was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking MGF / PEG-MGF.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2868381207

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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