Human cortical neuronal cell line (HCN-1): further in vitro characterization and suitability for brain transplantation.
The human neuronal cell-1 (HCN-1) line has recently been established. Under favorable conditions, these cells differentiate into mature neuronal phenotypes. Here we report on further characterization of these cells. Cultured HCN-1 cells express fibronectin immunoreactivity and grow well on fibronectin substrate but do not respond to human bFGF. In the undifferentiated state, some HCN-1 cells show MHC class I antigen expression. After differentiation, HCN-1 cells and their processes are MHC class I negative. On the other hand, interferon-gamma stimulation enhances MHC class I expression but does not induce MHC class II immunoreactivity. Our in vitro data indicate that HCN-1 cells express mixed characteristics, including both neuronal and mesenchymal markers, and are consistent with the suggestion that the HCN-1 cell line resembles an immature neuroepithelial cell precursor with a complex origin. One possible application of the use of the HCN-1 cells includes intracerebral transplantation. We also examined the survival of dissociated HCN-1 cells implanted into rat brain parenchyma. The host animals were not immunosuppressed. Despite expression of MHC class I antigens, small clusters of HCN-1 cells survived in the rat brain. These xenografts did not induce distinct immunological responses within the host brain tissue. Surviving HCN-1 cells demonstrated similar features to those observed in culture. Our preliminary results suggest that the HCN-1 cell line would be suitable for intracerebral transplantation in primates or humans. However, it may be that short-term host immunosuppression or addition of HCN-1 cell differentiation factors would be beneficial for enhanced cell survival.
Preclinical Neuroscience Section, NIMH Neuroscience Center at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, DC 20032.
M
M
Poltorak
M
M
Isono
W J
WJ
Freed
G V
GV
Ronnett
S H
SH
Snyder
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016380:Brain Tissue Transplantation; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000637:transplantation*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis; D006085:Graft Survival; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000637:transplantation*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005353:Fibronectins; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D007371:Interferon-gamma