Adult olfactory ensheathing glia promote the long-distance growth of adult retinal ganglion cell neurites in vitro

In vivo, transplanted adult olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) and adult Schwann cells (SC) can support the regrowth of at least some transected axons within adult CNS neuropil. In the present study, we developed an in vitro adult rat retinal explant model to explore the influence of primary adult SC and OEG on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) neurite regrowth in the presence of glial cells endogenous to the retina. Retinal quadrants were plated RGC-side down onto aclar hats coated with either pure collagen (type 1), collagen with OEG, collagen with SCs, or collagen coated with both OEG and SCs. Regrowing retinal neurites extended onto the pure collagen substrate, largely in association with astrocytes that migrated out from the explants (mean number of neurites: 144 ± 65 SEM). The additional presence of OEG (669 ± 122), but not SCs (97 ± 41), supported the regrowth of significantly greater numbers of RGC neurites. Furthermore, this OEG-stimulated regeneration was over significantly greater distances; >68% of neurites extended > 500 μm from the explant, compared with explants plated onto SCs or collagen alone (15% and 29%, respectively). When OEG and SCs were co-cultured the number of regenerating neurites was reduced (397 ± 81) compared with the pure OEG treatment. Analysis of explants on pure collagen substrates fed with media conditioned by purified OEG or SC showed no increase in neurite outgrowth compared with control treatments, suggesting that the enhanced growth in the presence of OEG is a contact-mediated effect. The observed differences between the abilities of OEG and SC to support the growth of CNS-derived fibers in the presence of astrocytes support the suggestion that OEG may be better suited for direct transplantation into CNS neuropil following injury. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.