title: Characterization of developmental stage and neuronal potential of the rat PNS-derived stem cell line, RT4-AC.
abstract: RT4 is a family of cell lines derived from a rat peripheral neurotumor and consists of a multipotential stem cell line that spontaneously gives rise to three derivative cell types: one glial-like and two neuronal-like. Previous studies have established that the RT4 glial derivative expresses many properties of Schwann cells; however, the neuronal designation of the other RT4 derivatives is less well substantiated. To further characterize the developmental stage and lineages represented by the RT4 stem cell and its derivatives we examined the expression of 16 marker genes whose expression is either specific to neurons or in some cases, neural tissue. Taken together our results indicate that (i) the RT4 neuronal-like derivatives express only immature neuronal properties, (ii) the RT4 cell lines most closely resemble neural crest derivatives from embryonic day 10 to 12 in the rat, (iii) treatment with cAMP and steroids, although capable of promoting process extension by the RT4 neuronal-like derivatives, did not affect the expression of any of the 16 marker genes examined, and (iv) when compared to other neural stem cell systems, RT4-AC generates the most immature neuronal derivatives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock 79430, USA. cbblmd@wpoffice.net.ttuhsc.edu
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Donahue
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Coates
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Reinhart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000502:physiology; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000032:analysis; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000494:pharmacology; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D064231:Nestin; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology; D009447:Neuroblastoma; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000032:analysis; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000166:cytology*; D064531:Peripherins; D051381:Rats; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017783:Superior Cervical Ganglion / Q000166:cytology; D014404:Tubulin / Q000032:analysis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D005136:Eye Proteins; D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C577486:Nes protein, rat; D064231:Nestin; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D064531:Peripherins; D014404:Tubulin; D014746:Vimentin; D016875:tau Proteins; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase