Recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic factor stimulates the metabolic activity of SH-SY5Y cells as measured by a cytosensor microphysiometer

Information on the transmembrane signaling events and subsequent biochemical processes initiated by ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) receptor activation in neurons is lacking. SH-SY5Y cells, a human neuroblastoma cell line expressing CNTF receptors, were used to study metabolic changes associated with functional ligand-receptor interactions. Real-time measurements quantifying the rate of extracellular acidification by SH-SY5Y cells (a measure of metabolic activity) were made using a silicon-based cytosensor. Application of recombinant human CNTF (rhCNTF) to resting SH-SY5Y cells increased their acidification rate in a concentration and time-dependent manner with an apparent EC50 of 60 ng/ml. Pretreatment of cells with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) prevented the CNTF, but not an NGF-stimulated increase in acidification rate. Collectively, these results demonstrate that: (1) SH-SY5Y cells express functional CNTF receptors; and (2) the initial signal transduction mechanism activated by the CNTF receptor in SH-SY5Y cells is distinct from that activated by the NGF receptor; however, both may ultimately stimulate the same downstream biochemical messengers to increase cellular metabolism.