Induction of neurite outgrowth in the IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cell line by nerve growth factor

The nerve growth factor protein (NGF) stimulates neurite outgrowth form embryonic sensory ganglia and sympathetic ganglia at all stages of development. In addition, NGF is required for the maintenance of the differentiated state in adult sympathetic ganglia. A clonal cell line, IMR-32, derived from a human neuroblastoma was found to contain a population of cells that respond to NGF by exhibiting morphological differentiation. The effect of NGF on these cells is compared with that of other agents known to induce differentiation of IMR-32, including glioma-conditioned media.