Development of Human Neuronal Cell Lines

Abstract The availability of in vitro cell culture systems demonstrating differentiated, mature phenotypes is crucial for the understanding of cellular functions and their regulation. Complex, heterogeneous systems such as the central nervous system had been refractory to this type of analysis. Recently, however, technical advances in molecular biology and a better understanding of the spectrum of growth factors required by neurons has facilitated the development of neuronal cell lines and primary cultures. More recently, these techniques have been applied to human tissue with some success. Aspects of these culture methods are considered in this review, including selection of human tissue and establishment of human neuronal cell lines.