Neurotoxicity is commonly associated not only with neurodegenerative damage but also with organophosphate intoxication. Neuronal death may be associated with acute and life-threatening symptoms and subsequent long-term secondary disorders. This study focuses on the development and validation of a cellular model of mature human neurons. A model was obtained by differentiating the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. In vitro cell model is suitable for studying neurotoxicity and its potential countermeasures. The protocol involved stimulation of the cell line with retinoic acid and brain-derived neurotrophic factor for 9-12 days. Observation of morphological signs of neurons (characteristic synaptic connections), using lighting microscopy and a detection of specific neuronal markers (tau protein, microtubulle-associated protein (MAP), synaptophysin (SYN), post-synaptic density protein (PSD-95)) using fluorescence microscopy was used for validating this model. Another experiment was focused on the quantification of acetylcholinesterase in differentiated and undifferentiated cells. As a result, it has been shown that the level of enzyme in the differentiated cells is significantly higher than in the original undifferentiated cells. Another planned use of the model is in vitro testing of the neurotoxic effects of organophosphates and screening of potential prophylactics or drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative injuries.

Keywords: neurotoxicity; neuroprotection; acetylcholinesterase; differentiation; human neurons