Effects of NGF on PC12 Neurite Growth

Abstract

Pheochromocytoma cells, or PC12s, are a cell line used for neuroscience research. Even though these cells are derived from a rat adrenal medulla tumor, these cells mimic and behave similar to neurons. To further model these cells as neurons, PC12 are treated with nerve growth factor, or NGF. This process transforms the PC12s to differentiated PC12 which alters the cells morphologically to increase the number of neurite and length of neurites. Studies have use either 1% of 50 ng/mL or 100 ng/mL in the differentiation media, yet no study has tested varying densities. In this study, PC12 cells were cultured with varying concentration to determine what concentration led to the longest neurites.