Abstract
L1 plays a role in neural development. However, it remains unclear how L1 plays this role. In the present study, we have shown extensive outgrowth of long neurites in cerebellar neurons after treatment with either L1 or L1 antibody. Notably, the mRNA level of FGF21 was significantly increased in both L1 and L1 antibody treated neurons compared to control group. Consistently, the neurite outgrowth promoted by L1 was strongly inhibited by siRNA against FGF21 gene or a treatment of cells with FGFR inhibitor. These results demonstrate that FGF21/FGFR signaling promotes the neurite outgrowth in a L1-dependent manner.
•L1 promotes the expression and secretion of FGF21.•Activation of L1 promotes neurite outgrowth, expression and secretion of FGF21 in L1wt mice, but not L1ko mice.•FGF21 promotes the neurite outgrowth of neurons isolated from L1wt mice and L1ko mice.•Both FGF21 shRNA and inhibitor of FGF receptor block the neurite outgrowth induced by L1 antibody.•FGF21/FGFR signaling is involved in the L1 enhanced neurite outgrowth.