The effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the catecholamine contents of two human pheochromocytomas in tissue culture.
Two further cases of human pheochromocytomas were kept in tissue culture for three months. The cultures were parted into two groups: one group was treated with nerve growth factor (NGF), the other group served as the control. The catecholamines in the medium were determined radioenzymatically (Da Prada). NGF-treatment led to lower contents of adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine. Cultures without NGF had higher levels. Electron micrographs showed catecholamine granula during the whole culture period. NGF treated cultures contained more catecholamine granula than the untreated cultures. Though the number of catecholamine granula was increased by the NGF-treatment, the medium contained less catecholamines than in untreated cultures. It may be concluded that NGF influences the liberation of adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine in tissue culture: though NGF treated cells contained more catecholamine granula, the catecholamines were retained in the pheochromocytoma cells.
D000368:Aged; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D002395:Catecholamines; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors