Human neuroblastoma cell lines as models for the in vitro study of neoplastic and neuronal cell differentiation.

Abstract

Neuroblastoma is a childhood solid tumor composed of primitive cells derived from precursors of the autonomic nervous system. This neoplasm has the highest rate of spontaneous regression of all cancer types and has been noted to undergo spontaneous and chemically induced differentiation into elements resembling mature nervous tissue. As such, neuroblastoma has been a prime model system for the study of neuronal differentiation and the process of cancer cell maturation. In this paper we review those agents that have been described to induce the differentiation of neuroblastoma, with an emphasis on the effects and possible mechanisms of action of a group of related compounds, the retinoids. With this model system and the availability of subclones that are both responsive and resistant to chemically induced differentiation, fundamental questions regarding the mechanisms and processes underlying cell maturation have become more amenable to in vitro study.

Scanning electron microscopic study of human neuroblastoma cells affected with Naegleria fowleri Thai strains

“…In this study, we compared the susceptibility mechanism of human neuroblastoma with Vero cells and used human neuroblastoma as an indicator of pathogenicity of N. fowleri. Human neuroblastoma cells, a childhood solid tumor composed of primitive cells derived from precursors of the autonomic nervous system, have become more amenable to in vitro study (Abemayor and Sidell 1989).…”

Differentiating effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue exendin-4 in a human neuronal cell model

“…Figure 2a shows a representative experiment in which the neurite sprouting induced by exendin-4 is compared to that induced by retinoic acid (RA), the classical neuronal differentiating agent for these cells [33], which was used as the control. Daily quantification of neuritic development was carried out.…”

“…Based on previous evidence indicating a positive effect of RA on neuron differentiation [33,[42][43][44], the effects on the electrophysiological properties of exendin-4 on SH-SY5Y cells were assessed and compared with those of RA. In 20-mM TEA solution, untreated cells exhibited I Na , as shown in a typical experiment displayed in Fig.…”

A critical review of cell culture strategies for modelling intracortical brain implant material reactions

“…To this end many single cell type, neuron models have been developed to study events, such as, neuronal differentiation, physiological function and synapse formation and function [133]. These models fall under three major types: 1) neuron-like cell lines, 2) neuronal cell lines and 3) primary neural cell cultures.…”

“…The culturing of these cells under conditions utilizing specific trophic factors generate process-bearing cells, with limited electrical activity. Neuroblastomas are a tumor of neural crest cells [133], and differentiate into neuron-like cells which more closely resemble peripheral rather than CNS neurons [136]. Neuron-like cells include PC12 (Fig.…”