CHARACTERIZATION OF NEURAL CELL-LINES DERIVED FROM SV40 LARGE T-INDUCED PRIMITIVE NEUROECTODERMAL TUMORS

We recently reported intriguing properties of neural tumors generated by retrovirus-mediated transfer of the SV40 large T antigen into fetal rat brain transplants. Histopathologically, these neoplasms displayed characteristic features of primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) an d exhibited a striking potential for migration into the host brain. In the present study, four cell lines were derived from these PNETs and characterized. Two lines with an immature phenotype expressed the embr yonal form of the neural cell adhesion molecule and nestin. They showe d spheroid formation and delicate cell processes. The remaining cell l ines had a flat, epitheloid appearance and were immunoreactive for syn aptophysin, neurofilament proteins and glial fibrillary acidic protein . These cells constitute valuable tools to study the cellular origin(s ) and molecular basis of PNETs, differentiation of neural progenitors and tumor cell migration in the brain.