Neuronal network properties of human teratocarcinoma cell line-derived neurons

Understanding the structural and functional development of neurons in networks has a high impact to estimate the potentials for restorative therapies. Neurons derived from the human NT2 cell line (hNT) formed networks with a clustered neuritic architecture in vitro, whereas primary dissociated embryonic rat cortical neurons (Cx) displayed a more homogenous cell assembly. Spontaneous spikes of both cell types were recorded on microelectrode arrays within 2 weeks after seeding, but hNT showed a mostly uncorrelated firing pattern in contrast to Cx with highly synchronized bursting. hNT neurons were less sensitive to TTX (IC50 = 5.7 +/- 0.1 nM vs. IC50 = 1.1 +/- 0.2 nM), magnesium (IC50 = 1.83 +/- 0.01 mM vs. IC50 = 0.161 +/- 0.023 mM), and APV (IC50 > 100 microM vs. IC50 = 18 microM). We conclude that embryonic cortical neurons and hNT neurons have different network properties. This should be carefully considered before hNT neurons are used in therapeutic approaches, e g., central nervous system (CNS) grafting.