A dorsal root ganglia cell line derived from trisomy 16 fetal mice, a model for Down syndrome

We have established two immortalized cell lines from dorsal root ganglia of normal (G4b) and trisomy 16 mice (GTI), a model for Down syndrome. By immunohistochemistry, both cell lines exhibit neuronal traits and lack glial markers. GTI cells exhibited greater [H-3]choline uptake than G4b cells. K+ and nicotine-mediated acetylcholine release was greater in GTI cells. Basal intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](i)) was significantly lower in GTI cells. More GTI cells responded to neurotransmitters with a transient [Ca2+](i) increase compared to G4b cells, but both cell types showed similar amplitudes of [Ca2+](i) responses. The results show that both cell lines retain neuronal characteristics and respond to specific neurotransmitter stimuli. Altered GTI cell responses could be related to neuronal pathophysiology in Down's syndrome.