Culture and phagocytic characteristics of Schwann cells in vitro. A possible model substrate for cultivation of M. leprae.

Tissue cultures of five acoustic and four spinal schwannomas demonstrated good growth and migration of Schwann cells within two to four days. Two types of cells corresponding to Antoni type A tissue and Antoni type B tissue were clearly recognized. Both these cell types showed avid phagocytosis when the cultures were inoculated with mycobacteria, either ICRC bacilli or M. leprae. The phagocytic index was 95% at the end of two hours. The Schwann cells grown in vitro also showed intense acid phosphatase reaction with Gomori's stain, suggesting lysosomal activity. Neither this nor any phagocytosis was evidenced by fetal fibroblasts cultured similarly. Cells from two spinal neurofibromas grew and migrated slowly in vitro and were mainly fibroblasts.