[The immunohistological study of developing human spinal cord--the localization of vimentine, GFAP in radial glial cell].

The morphological changes of radial glial cells in developing human spinal cord have been studied immunohistologically. The specimens extracted from developing human spinal cords, gestational age of 15 weeks, 30 weeks and 35 weeks, were prepared with cryostat for the investigation of anti vimentin mouse monoclonal antibody and of GFAP rabbit serum. We have stained the specimens for vimentin in accordance with ABC method, for GFAP in accordance with PAP method. On gestational age of 15 weeks, the fibers radially oriented from the central canal to pial surface were positive for vimentin and GFAP. Partially, early differentiated astrocytic cells were found. On gestational age of 30 weeks, radially oriented fibers were positive for vimentin and GFAP. They took more tortuous course, branching than those of 15 weeks. More differentiated astrocytic cells were found. On gestational age of 35 weeks, the staining for vimentin was very weak on radially oriented fibers and these fibers were more tortuous, branching than those of 30 weeks. More differentiated astrocytic cells than those of 30 weeks were found in rich amount. From results above, we concluded: 1) Radial glial cells in developing human spinal cord were positive for vimentin and GFAP. 2) The show weaker staining for vimentin in process of gestational age. 3) They differentiate to astrocyte. 4) They appear in earlier stage than suggested by previous reports.