Cell types and cell-substrate interactions in serum-free dissociated cultures of rat hypothalamus.
We have developed a system for the long-term cultivation of hypothalamic neurons at low density in defined serum-free medium, and have identified the major classes of cells in these cultures. Cells prepared from the dissociation of embryonic rat hypothalami are plated, in serum-free medium, onto monolayers of cortical astrocytes. Neurons adhere and begin to extend neurites soon after plating, and survive for up to several weeks in culture. Cell-type-specific immunological markers were utilized to identify neurons and the major classes of glial cells in these cultures. The culture of hypothalamic neurons in serum-free conditions provides a valuable system for the study of the cellular basis of hypothalamic neuronal heterogeneity and functional diversity.
Department of Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway 08854.
R
R
Ventimiglia
H M
HM
Geller
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology; D009474:Neurons / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology*; D051381:Rats
D003470:Culture Media