Characterization of NTera2/D1 cells as a model system for the investigation of cannabinoid function in human neurons and astrocytes
The limited availability and potential to culture primary human brain cells means that there is still a need for cell lines that reliably model human neurons and glial cells. The human‐derived NTera2/D1 (NT2) cell line is a promising tool from which both neuronal (NT2N) and astrocytic (NT2A) cells c...
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Published in | Journal of neuroscience research Vol. 89; no. 10; pp. 1685 - 1697 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Hoboken
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
01.10.2011
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The limited availability and potential to culture primary human brain cells means that there is still a need for cell lines that reliably model human neurons and glial cells. The human‐derived NTera2/D1 (NT2) cell line is a promising tool from which both neuronal (NT2N) and astrocytic (NT2A) cells can be derived in vitro. Here we have investigated the potential to use this cell model to investigate the endocannabinoid system in the CNS. Through immunocytochemical characterization with a range of neuronal and glial markers, we found that these cell lines differentiate into cells with immature neuronal and astrocytic phenotypes, respectively. By real‐time PCR, immunocytochemistry, and functional inhibition of cAMP accumulation, the cannabinoid 1 receptors were identified only on NT2N cells, consistent with high levels of expression of this receptor in neuronal cells of the CNS. No evidence of cannabinoid 2 receptor expression was found on any of the NT2 cell types. Both the precursors and the differentiated NT2N and NT2A cells demonstrated mRNA expression for the key enzymes involved in endocannabinoid synthesis and degradation. This work establishes a cannabinergic phenotype in NT2N and NT2A cells, providing an alternative human derived renewable cell model for investigation of cannabinoid receptor function and endocannabinoid synthesis and metabolism in the CNS. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. |
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Bibliography: | New Zealand Royal Society Marsden Fund istex:95FE4DBAFF674DF2B0EE30B4BB6D1E2B2E608DDB ark:/67375/WNG-VJWGL9RH-N ArticleID:JNR22692 ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 |
ISSN: | 0360-4012 1097-4547 1097-4547 |
DOI: | 10.1002/jnr.22692 |