In vitro heterogeneity in human gliomas. Are all transformed cells of glial origin?

Primary cultures from 30 human gliomas (26 high grade, 3 low grade, and one oligoastrocytoma) were studied to examine the mixture of cells that make up the outgrowth, and their interactions. GFAP + ve Fibronectin - ve cells had a predominantly process forming (PF) morphology and formed complex networks around explants. Fibronectin + ve GFAP-ve cells had a flattened adherent (FA) morphology, tended to increase in time in culture, in 11 tumours showed a transformed pattern of growth, and may derive from perivascular mesenchyme. Neoplastic glial cells in vivo, or in vitro, may influence the behaviour and nature of other cells in tumour tissue which may be of significance in tumour behaviour and progression.