Survival and growth of adult human oligodendrocytes in culture: scanning electron microscopy.

The oligodendrocytes in culture serve as an important model for the study of demyelination diseases. We have previously originated a method of isolating human oligodendrocytes. In order to establish their three dimensional morphology, scanning electron microscopy of the cultured oligodendrocytes was performed. The oligodendrocytes bulk isolated from adult human brain were maintained in culture for more than 2 months. At the various periods in culture, the cells were studied by scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence staining using marker antibodies for the identification of oligodendrocytes. The three dimensional organization and the surface morphology of the cultured oligodendrocytes were investigated. They displayed an extensive network of the cell processes and characteristic surface morphology.