Bulk separation and long-term culture of oligodendrocytes from adult pig brain. I. Morphological studies.

A method is described by which oligodendrocytes from adult pig brains can be isolated. It results in a cellular preparation suitable for long-term culture. The entire procedure can be accomplished within 2-3 h. The purity of oligodendrocytes ranges between 80 and 95% depending on the Percoll gradient used and on the time in vitro. Yields between 2.5 and 4 X 10(7) cells per brain and plating efficiencies on the order of 60% make the system very useful for biochemical investigations. It was shown by immunocytochemical studies that oligodendrocytes produce extensive networks of processes, some of them having elaborate membranous expansions. Anti-galactocerebroside (GC) antibodies as well as anti-myelin basic protein (MBP), anti-Wolfgram protein (WP), anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and monoclonal antibodies O1 and O4 are used to identify the cell types and to characterize the cellular composition of the cultures. Anti-GC and O1 are suitable markers for these oligodendrocytes. Both antibodies label similar cells, and the staining intensities are equally strong. In the case of O4, variable staining intensities are observed, and a few additional cells are labeled that are anti-GC-. After 3 1/2 weeks in culture, about 60% of the cells can be labeled by anti-MBP. Here too differences in staining intensities are observed. The anti-WP stain is too weak to be defined as positive. The percentage of GFAP+ cells lies in the range 15-20% at maximum. Cells were also mixed into collagen gels. This method appears to be more useful for outgrowth and branching of fibers than are monolayer systems. Drawbacks, however, include limited access for the antibodies and poor recovery of undamaged cells with their fibers.