title: Radial glial cells derived from the neonatal rat spinal cord: morphological and immunocytochemical characterization.
abstract: Radial glial cells are transiently bipolar cells in the developing central nervous system, best known for their role in guiding migrating neurons. The aim of the present study was to investigate phenotypic characteristics of these bipolar precursor cells in a mixed glial cell culture system derived from the rat neonatal spinal cord. Morphological characterization was assessed by cell-specific immunocytochemical markers (nestin, vimentin, 3CB2) and transmission electron microscopy. Our study yielded substantial evidence showing that the bipolar cells exhibit immunocytochemical and ultrastructural features of radial glial cells. Immunohistochemistry of the neonatal rat spinal cord using the same cell-specific markers suggested these cells are likely derived from the subependymal zone, ventral commissure, and dorsomedial septum. We believe our data recommend this mixed glial culture system to be a valuable tool in studying radial glial cells in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute and Transnationale Universiteit Limburg, School of Life Sciences, Laboratory of Histology.
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moreels
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vandenabeele
authors.forename: Leen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Deryck
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lambrichts
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005629:Frozen Sections; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D064231:Nestin; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C577486:Nes protein, rat; D064231:Nestin; D014746:Vimentin