PC12 pheochromocytoma and sympathetic nervous system derived trophic factors augment growth of neuroblastoma

A trophic factor secreted by PC12 rat pheochromocytoma augments growth of C1300 neuroblastoma clonal lines S20, N18 and C46, but does not affect growth of the NIE 115 line. A trophic factor present in newborn sympathetic ganglia has the same biological effect on neuroblastoma cell lines. PC12 cells and sympathetic ganglia are both of neural crest origin; possibly both secrete the same trophic factor.