Catecholaminergic neurons result from intracerebral implantation of embryonal carcinoma cells.

A replication-defective retrovirus was used to introduce the marker gene nlsLacZ into the murine embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell line PCC7-S-aza-R-1009. Undifferentiated EC cells were implanted into the central nervous system of adult rats. One month later, the grafted cells continued to express the nlsLacZ gene. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated the presence of EC-derived neurons. These neurons were capable of expressing tyrosine hydroxylase and extended neurites into the host parenchyma. EC-derived glial cells could not be detected. There was no evidence of tumorigenicity. These results demonstrate the utility of EC cells for introduction of exogenous gene products into the central nervous system in experimental models of gene therapy.