Stimulation of resistance to 6-hydroxydopamine in a human neuroblastoma cell line by nerve growth factor

Resistance of human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH-SY5Y (SY5Y) to the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was established by exposure of the cells to nerve growth factor (NGF). SY5Y cells display several properties of immature sympathetic nerve cells, including morphological responses to nerve growth factor and susceptibility to cytolysis by 6-OHDA. High resistance to 6-OHDA was achieved by culturing SY5Y cells with NGF. Protection persisted when NGF was absent for 24 h or when cells were treated with colcemid. In contrast, dibutyryl cyclic AMP did not stimulate resistance to 6-OHDA. NGF-treated cells were also resistant to H2O2, a toxic product of 6-OHDA autoxidation.