Quantitation and morphological characterization of rapid axon and dendritic growth from single cerebral hemispheric neurons in hydrated collagen lattice culture.

Quantitative and qualitative data are reported for single cerebral hemispheric neurons in a 3-dimensional hydrated collagen lattice (HCL) culture system. Individual neurons not in contact with other cells or cell processes, including synapses, rapidly displayed two morphologically distinct classes of processes that could be traced from origin to termination: long thin processes interpreted as being axons, and shorter tapering and sometimes branched processes interpreted as being dendrites. Axons and dendrites of single neurons that had at least one process longer than the cell body were measured on each of 3 days after plating using an image analysis system coupled to a phase-contrast microscope and a microcomputer. Mean lengths of axons and dendrites alone or combined as total new growth per neuron, increased 3- to 5-fold and were as high as 745, 694 and 1226 microns respectively after 3 days in HCL, although some individual axons measured over 1500 microns. Other indices of neuron growth and differentiation increased 1- to 5-fold including the number of primary processes, branch points, segments and growth cones. Phase-contrast microscopy, staining with Nissl and silver, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated many single multipolar and other neurons with axons, dendrites and well-differentiated properties. The data show that individual central nervous system neurons have an inherent capacity to quickly express characteristic differentiated features and also to grow rapidly in HCL.