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Differentiation of the SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line
Published on: February 17, 2016
Neurite degeneration in differentiated human neuroblastoma cells
M Nordin-Andersson1, A Forsby, N Heldring
1Stockholm University Department of Neurochemistry and Neurotoxicology, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; Gambro AB, Medical Research Department, S-220 10 Lund, Sweden.
Summary
This study shows the SH-SY5Y cell model effectively identifies axonopathy-inducing substances. It reveals that compounds like acrylamide and triethyltin chloride cause significant neurite degeneration, aiding in the discovery of neurotoxic chemicals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neurite degeneration is a key feature of neurodegenerative diseases.
- Identifying substances that induce axonopathy is crucial for understanding neurotoxicity.
- The human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line is a valuable model for studying neuronal processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the in vitro axonopathy-inducing potency of various chemicals.
- To evaluate the utility of the SH-SY5Y neurite degeneration model for identifying neurotoxic agents.
Main Methods:
- Differentiated human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells were exposed to caffeine, diazepam, methylmercury chloride (MeHg), triethyltin chloride (TET), and acrylamide (ACR).
- Neurite degeneration was quantified morphologically after 72 hours.
- General cytotoxicity was assessed by measuring total protein content.
- Concentrations causing 20% reduction in neurite number (ND(20)) were compared to those causing 20% inhibition of general cytotoxicity (IC(20)).
Main Results:
- Acrylamide (ACR) and triethyltin chloride (TET) showed significantly lower ND(20) concentrations compared to their IC(20) values, indicating potent neurite degeneration.
- For caffeine and diazepam, ND(20) values were higher than IC(20) values.
- Methylmercury chloride (MeHg), despite its high toxicity, did not show a statistically significant difference between ND(20) and IC(20), suggesting degeneration is not a primary effect.
- Triethyltin chloride's effects may involve secondary disturbances in calcium signaling.
Conclusions:
- The SH-SY5Y neurite degeneration model is a useful tool for identifying substances with axonopathy-inducing potential.
- The study differentiates direct neurite toxicity from general cytotoxicity for several compounds.
- This model aids in the early detection of neurotoxic chemicals relevant to axonopathies.
