PC12 and THP-1 Cell Lines as Neuronal and Microglia Model in Neurobiological Research

Abstract

Models based on cell cultures have become a useful tool in modern scientific research. Since primary cell lines are difficult to obtain and handle, neoplasm-derived lines like PC12 and THP-1 offer a cheap and flexible solution for neurobiological studies but require prior differentiation to serve as a neuronal or microglia model. PC12 cells constitute a suitable research model only after differentiation by incubation with nerve growth factor (NGF) and THP-1 cells after administering a differentiation factor such as phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). Still, quite often, studies are performed on these cancer cells without differentiation. The study aimed to assess the impact of PC12 or THP-1 cell differentiation on sensitivity to harmful factors such as Aβ25-35 (0.001–5 µM) (considered as one of the major detrimental factors in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease) or lipopolysaccharide (1–100 µM) (LPS; a pro-inflammatory factor of bacterial origin). Results showed that in most of the tests performed, the response of PC12 and THP-1 cells induced to differentiation varied significantly from the effect in undifferentiated cells. In general, differentiated cells showed greater sensitivity to harmful factors in terms of metabolic activity and DNA damage, while in the case of the free radicals, the results were heterogeneous. Obtained data emphasize the importance of proper differentiation of cell lines of neoplastic origin in neurobiological research and standardization of cell culture handling protocols to ensure reliable results.

Evaluation of Recovery Methods for Fragaria vesca L. Oil: Characteristics, Stability and Bioactive Potential

“…Additionally, the tetrazolium salt is reduced by NADH or NADPH in microsomes and cytosol. Cell morphology was also assessed subjectively according to a 4-point scale using an inverted microscope [17,18].…”

The Inhibition of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) and NF-κB Underlies the Neuroprotective Capacity of a Cinnamon/Curcumin/Turmeric Spice Blend in Aβ-Exposed THP-1 Cells

“…For this reason, microglial cells have raised the interest of researchers as a tool to deeply investigate the events occurring during neurodegeneration. In particular, THP-1 cells, human leukemia monocytic cells, stressed with bacterial lipopolysaccharide or Aβ fragments from different origins, have been extensively employed as model for several neurobiological disorders, due to their resemblance to microglial cells [6]. This model can also be used to screen the neuroprotective potentiality of novel candidates, given the ever-growing need of finding new strategies to hamper neurodegeneration.…”

“…detection (RP-DAD-HPLC) separation of the methanolic extract obtained from CCSB Coumarin (1); cinnamaldehyde (2); 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde (3); bisdemethoxycurcumin (4) desmethoxycurcumin(5); and curcumin(6). The inset magnified the chromatograms in a 35-40 min interval time.…”