title: Preparation of primary cultures of tick cells.
abstract: Primary cell cultures were prepared from preimaginal bodies from the nymphal ticks, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Dermacentor andersoni, and Amblyomma maculatum, and from the hemocytes of late-stage nymphal and adult ticks, Ornithodoros coriaceus. The dissection methods for obtaining preimaginal bodies and hemocytes for culture are described. A culture mediu, designated RML 375, was used for both culture methods. Primary cultures were established with minimal contamination. Preimaginal body cultures may be maintained for 2 to 8 months or longer and hemocyte cultures for 1 to 9 months. Cultured cells form incomplete monolayers and tend to grow in clusters. Subculturing these cells is difficult, although A maculatum have been sucessfully subcultured several times. A brief review of arthropod tissue culturing is presented and potential applications of the method are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000166:cytology; D013987:Ticks / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media