Characterization of developmental stage and neuronal potential of the rat PNS-derived stem cell line, RT4-AC

• Published in: Brain research. Developmental brain research Vol. 94; no. 1; pp. 67 - 80
• Main Authors: Donahue, Laurel M., Coates, Penelope W., Reinhart, Adam J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 14.06.1996
• Subjects: Animals; Biomarkers; cAMP; Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal - analysis; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Cell Lineage - physiology; Choline O-Acetyltransferase - analysis; Cyclic AMP - pharmacology; Differentiation; Dihydrotestosterone - pharmacology; Eye Proteins - analysis; GAP-43 Protein; Intermediate Filament Proteins - analysis; Membrane Glycoproteins - analysis; Microscopy, Electron; Nerve Tissue Proteins - analysis; Nestin; Neural crest; Neural Crest - cytology; Neuroblastoma; Neurofilament Proteins - analysis; Neurons - chemistry; Neurons - cytology; Neurons - enzymology; Neuropeptides - analysis; Neurotransmitter Agents - analysis; Peripheral nervous system; Peripheral Nervous System - cytology; Peripherins; Rat; Rats; RT4; Stem cell; Stem Cells - chemistry; Stem Cells - cytology; Stem Cells - ultrastructure; Superior Cervical Ganglion - cytology; tau Proteins - analysis; Tubulin - analysis; Tumor Cells, Cultured - chemistry; Tumor Cells, Cultured - physiology; Tumor Cells, Cultured - ultrastructure; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase - analysis; Vimentin - analysis; Peripheral nervous system; RT4; Rat; Stem cell; Neuroblastoma; cAMP; Differentiation; Neural crest
• ISSN: 0165-3806
• DOI: 10.1016/0165-3806(96)00028-4

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.