Neural properties of cultured human endocrine tumor cells of proposed neural crest origin.

Cells from human endocrine tumors of proposed neural crest origin--five pheochromocytomas, two medullary carcinomas of the thyroid, and two bronchial carcinoids--were grown in monolayer culture. Cells from all nine tumors, including epithelial forms of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid and bronchial carcinoid cells, and epithelial and neuron-like pheochromocytoma cells demonstrated all-or-nothing, short-duration action potentials.