[Basic calponin expressing human neuroblastoma cell line of KP-N-YS]

Recent studies have demonstrated that human neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines have at least two morphological appearance of neuroblastic (N-type) and substrate-adhesive (S-type) cells. Our previous study revealed that S-type cells expressed alpha-smooth muscle actin and/or desmin, suggesting the smooth muscle cell characteristics of S-type cells. In the present study, a new human NB cell line, KP-N-YS, was established from bone marrow metastasis of a four-year-old boy with advanced NB, originating from the left adrenal gland. Subsequently N-type cell clone (YS1n) and S-type cell clone (YS2s) was isolated from the parent cell line. Parent and clones cell lines were identified as NB by surface membrane antigen and cytoskeletal protein analysis, and these cell lines were demonstrated as common progenitors by chromosomal analysis. Furthermore the presence of basic calponin were determined by indirect immunofluorescence, Western blot, as well as by RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction). Our demonstration of basic calponin not in N-type cells, but in S-type cells supports the plausible smooth muscle cell characteristics of this NB cell line.