Cell culture study on neurofibromatosis.

Cells obtained on culture from normal appearing skin (NFns) and from neurofibromas of neurofibromatosis patients (NFnf), and from normal skin of normal donors (Normal) were studied. We measured the growth rate, maximal cell density, radiation sensitivity and resistance to 3-nitrotyrosine of each of the three groups of strains. The growth rate and maximal cell density of fibroblasts derived from neurofibromas of the neurofibromatosis patients were significantly lower than those in normal donors. The neurofibromatosis cells showed no X-ray hypersensitivity, as compared to normal controls. We also did not observe resistance to 3-nitrotyrosine of the cells derived from normal appearing skin of the neurofibromatosis patients. However, cells derived from neurofibromas of the neurofibromatosis patients showed resistance to 3-nitrotyrosine. This phenomenon may explain the slow growth rate of the latter cells.