Characterization of Differentiated SH-SY5Y as Neuronal Screening Model Reveals Increased Oxidative Vulnerability

• Published in: Journal of biomolecular screening Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 496 - 509
• Main Authors: Forster, J. I., Köglsberger, S., Trefois, C., Boyd, O., Baumuratov, A. S., Buck, L., Balling, R., Antony, P. M. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.06.2016
• Subjects: Adenosine Triphosphate - genetics; Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Cell Differentiation - genetics; Cell Membrane - genetics; Cell Proliferation - genetics; Humans; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial - genetics; Neurons - metabolism; Neurons - pathology; Oxidative Stress - genetics; SH-SY5Y; energetic stress; differentiation; vulnerability
• ISSN: 1087-0571; 2472-5552; 1552-454X
• DOI: 10.1177/1087057115625190

The immortalized and proliferative cell line SH-SY5Y is one of the most commonly used cell lines in neuroscience and neuroblastoma research. However, undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells share few properties with mature neurons. In this study, we present an optimized neuronal differentiation protocol for SH-SY5Y that requires only two work steps and 6 days. After differentiation, the cells present increased levels of ATP and plasma membrane activity but reduced expression of energetic stress response genes. Differentiation results in reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and decreased robustness toward perturbations with 6-hydroxydopamine. We are convinced that the presented differentiation method will leverage genetic and chemical high-throughput screening projects targeting pathways that are involved in the selective vulnerability of neurons with high energetic stress levels.