title: Differentiation of neuron-like cells in cultured rat optic nerves: a neuron or common neuron-glia progenitor?
abstract: The optic nerve consists of axons, glia, and undifferentiated cells; neuronal cell bodies are absent. To study the developmental potential of glia and precursor cells in vitro, we devised an original, long-term culture system of optic nerve explants, called minisegments, of newborn rats; at this stage the nerves are composed of naked axons, astrocytes, and undifferentiated cells. After about 4-5 weeks in culture, neuron-like cells appeared, which showed morphological, fine structural, and immunocytochemical properties ascribed to neurons. These neuron-like cells may be derived from a common neuron-glia progenitor or from a small population of precursors, which never produce glia in situ.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: F X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Omlin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Waldmeyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000166:cytology*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase