The Trophic Cocktail Made by Chromaffin Cells

We studied the molecular composition of the neurotrophic/growth factor cocktail synthesized, stored and liberated by adrenomedullary chromaffi cells. Chromaffin cells have a dual capacity as models of the neuronal biochemical machinery and as therapeutic tools (implants) in several neural disorders, most notably Parkinson’s disease. Cultured bovine chromaffin cells release a proteinaceous material into their culture medium that, when applied to a wide range of different embryonic neurons from the CNS and PNS in vitro, promotes their viability and neuritic growth /1-3/. Stimulation of the chromaffin cells with cholinergic agonists or high K + enhances the amounts of the trophic mate