Cell production and morphological pattern formation in primary brain cell cultures. I. Pattern formation within the basal layer(s)

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Spontaneous pattern formation within the basal cellular layer of primary brain cell cultures was studied. Basal cells were found to be organized into a limited number of morphologically well distinguishable types of cell-arrangements. Phase contrast microscopy was used to characterize the different cell-assemblies morphologically. Under standard culture conditions the time of appearance and specific changes of relative frequency in time were also characteristics of different patterns. The distribution of mitotically active cells among the different morphological patterns within the basal layer was also investigated by recording [ 3H]thymidine uptake of cells. Reduction of mitotic activities of cells in the basal layer was found in the vicinity of overlying cells. In a given area of cultures the reduction of mitotic activity was proportional to the number of overlying cells. The influence of cell proliferation on the morphological pattern formation in primary cultures is discussed.