Purification and maintenance in culture of oligodendroglia from human multiple sclerosis brain.

Oligodendroglia were isolated from human multiple sclerosis (MS) brain obtained at autopsy. The cells were placed in culture and assessed for functions associated with normal oligodendroglia. The oligodendroglia from MS tissue were able to incorporate radiolabeled substrate into the lipids found in brain, including cerebrosides. They also produced whorls of membrane lamellae, adjacent to the cell soma, while in culture. In these respects the oligodendroglia from affected tissue were able to function normally.