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Differentiation of purified astrocytes in a chemically defined medium.
- Source :
-
Brain research [Brain Res] 1983 Sep; Vol. 285 (3), pp. 337-45. - Publication Year :
- 1983
-
Abstract
- Homogeneous cultures of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes provide an excellent model system for studying the regulation of glial structure and function. Recently, a chemically defined (CD) medium was developed for purified cultures of astrocytes, thus eliminating the requirement for serum and providing a controlled system for the study of astroglial properties. Due to the widespread use of astrocyte cultures and the potential benefits to be gained from using a defined medium, astrocyte cultures raised in CD medium were analyzed for purity as well as morphological and biochemical properties. Purity was assessed using immunocytochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and fibronectin. Astrocytes raised in CD medium are 95% pure using the expression of GFAP as a criterion. Fewer than 1% of the cells in CD medium stained positive for fibronectin eliminating the possibility that CD medium is selective for meningeal or endothelial cells. Astrocytes raised in CD medium exhibit a striking degree of morphological differentiation as seen in scanning electron micrographs. They also exhibit a high degree of biochemical differentiation illustrated by increases in the specific activity of S-100 protein and the induction of glutamine synthetase by glucocorticoids. A defined medium that supports the proliferation of rat astrocytes and enhances numerous morphological and biochemical properties should greatly facilitate the study of factors controlling glial proliferation and differentiation.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Astrocytes analysis
Astrocytes cytology
Astrocytes ultrastructure
Brain cytology
Cattle blood
Cell Differentiation drug effects
Cells, Cultured
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
Intermediate Filament Proteins analysis
Rats
Astrocytes drug effects
Culture Media pharmacology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0006-8993
- Volume :
- 285
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Brain research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 6354363
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-3806(83)90030-5