Novel Bioassay for the Assessment of Neurotoxicity of Chemicals Based on the Neurite Extension in Human Neuroblastoma NB-1 Cells

Abstract

A new testing method for the assessment of hazardous environmental chemicals using cultured human neuronal cells has been developed. This method is based on the image analysis of the neurite extension in human neuroblastoma NB-1 cells: the length of the extended neurites was determined using image analysis software. Using this system, 255 chemicals including methylmercury and endocrine disrupting chemicals were tested. Methylmercury and several chemicals inhibited neurite extension, while cadmium chloride, phthalates, and many other chemicals promoted it. These results suggest that the extended neurite length is a useful biological marker for the effects of neurotoxic environmental chemicals, especially on the developing nervous system.