IFNγ and TNFα synergistically induce neurite outgrowth on PC12 cells

PC12 cells are commonly used in the study of neuronal cells. It was reported that IFNγ enhances neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells by NGF-stimuli. Accordingly, IFNγ was examined to determine if it could solely produce neurite outgrowth. In addition, because the synergism between TNFα and IFNγ is well-known, this study investigated whether or not a mixture of IFNγ and TNFα might augment neurite outgrowth on PC12 cells. Finally, this study examined how an AG490 treatment, which was used to inhibit the IFNγ signal in this study, affected the cytokine-mediated phenomenon. The results showed that the cytokines did not cause an increase in apoptosis in the PC12 cells and the serum-starved condition blocked the cytokine-mediated neurite outgrowth. Interestingly, AG490 enhanced this effect. In conclusion, it was shown that IFNγ has the potential to form neurites, and TNFα can enhance this ability.