title: Cell junction and ultrastructural development of reaggregated mouse brain cultures.
abstract: The morphological development of reaggregated embryonic mouse brain cells was followed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Initially, the reaggregated cells are loosely packed and lack specialized cell junction; however, after 2-4 days puncta adhaerens junctions are numerous. The first immature synapses are seen at 8-9 days of culture. These synaptic complexes mature in appearance and increase approximately 3-fold in number during the next 3 weeks of culture. Two distinct, electron dense, intercellular specialization, apparently unique to neural cell cultures, are observed in these older cultures. Brain cell reaggregates observed at 2, 3, and 5 months of culture show signs of aging, i.e., a gradual decrease in the number of synapses, myelin degeneration and increased lipofuscin granules.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013569:Synapses / Q000648:ultrastructure