Immunoelectron microscopic characterization of galactocerebroside and nervous system antigen-1 (NS-1) positive oligodendrocytes in culture.

Immunoelectron microscopy was performed on live, cultured early postnatal mouse cerebellar cells to identify and ultrastructurally characterize those cells which express nervous system antigen-1 (NS-1) and beta-D-galactocerebroside (GalCer) on their surfaces. These two antigens are expressed on oligodendroglia with similar ultrastructural features. These cells are mainly of the immature type, possessing numerous polysomes, mitochondria and microtubules. Filaments are not observed. These oligodendroglia are sometimes surrounded by NS-1 and GalCer-positive membranous material, Few (less than 5%) mature oligodendrocytes are present in the dissociated cerebellar cultures.