EVIDENCE FOR DIFFERENTIATED FUNCTIONS IN TWO CONTINUOUS INSECT CELL LINES

Authors: Lynn, Dwight; SHEPPARD, CAROL - UNIV SCRANTON PA

Submitted to: In Vitro Cellular And Developmental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/27/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Insect cell cultures have long held promise for the study of differentiated cell function. While primary tissue and cell cultures have been used in this field for some time, relatively few continuous cell lines have shown any utility in this regard. We have two previously established cell lines which can be either induced to differentiate or maintain differentiated cell function in culture. The Trichogramma exiguum embryonic cell line, IPLB-Tex2 was previously shown to differentiate into highly contractile cell aggregates following exposure to the insect molting hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone. We've extended these studies with immunofluorescent techniques to show that actin is a principal component of this differentiation. The Colorado potato beetle embryonic line, IPLB-CPB2, was originally described as being morphologically similar to mammalian astrocyte cells in culture. We now have evidence from immunocytochemical studies that, rather than being astrocytes, they may be nerve cells. They react positively with antibodies to the medium molecular weight mammalian neurofilament (Nf) and a heavily phosphorylated Nf. Additionally, the cells react positively to antibodies to a mammalian type 1 inositol triphosphate receptor, the ryanodine receptor and the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump. Also, the use of patch-clamp electrodes reveal that some cells produce spontaneous action potentials and others are photoreceptive. These results suggest that these two cell lines can be useful in studies of muscle and nerve cell physiology, respectively.