SH-SY5Y

History
The cell line SH-SY5Y is a human derived neuroblastoma cell line, thrice-cloned originally from SK-N-SH and first reported in 1978. A neuroblast-like subclone of SK-N-SH, named SH-SY, was subcloned as SH-SY5, which was subcloned again as SH-SY5Y. The cloning process is essentially artificial selection, involving expansion of individual cells or a small group of cells that express a particular phenotype of interest. This cell line is genetically female (has two X chromosomes, but no Y), as the original line was established in 1970 from a bone marrow biopsy of a metastatic neuroblastoma site in a four year-old female.

Morphology
The cells possess an abnormal chromosome 1, where there is an additional copy of a 1q segment and is referred to trisomy 1q. SH-SY5Y cells are known to be dopamine beta hydroxylase active, acetylcholinergic, glutamatergic and adenosinergic. The cells have very different growth phases, outlined in the surrounding pictures. The cells both propagate via mitosis and differentiate by extending neurites to the surrounding area. While dividing, the aggregated cells can look so different from the differentiated cells, that new scientists often mistake one or the another for contamination. The dividing cells can form clusters of cells which are reminders of their cancerous nature, but certain treatments such as retinoic acid and BDNF can force the cells to dendrify and differentiate.



Media and Cultivation
The most common growing cocktail used is a 1:1 mixture of DMEM and Ham's F12 medium and 10% supplemental fetal bovine serum. The DMEM usually contains 1.5 g/L sodium bicarbonate, 2 mM L-Glutamine, 1 mM sodium pyruvate and 0.1 mM nonessential amino acids. The cells are always grown at 37 degrees Celsius with 95% air and 5% carbon dioxide. It is advised to cultivate the cells in flasks which are coated for cell culture adhesion, this will aid in differention and dendrification of the hybridoma.

SH-SY5Y has a dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity and can convert glutamate to GABA. Will form tumors in nude mice in approx. 3–4 weeks. The loss of neuronal characteristics has been described with increasing passage numbers. Therefore it is recommended not to be used after passage 20 or verify specific characteristics such as noradrenalin uptake or neuronal tumor markers.

Related links

 * ATCC
 * Sigma Product Page