Propagation of human fetal spongioblasts and astrocytes in dispersed cell cultures

Abstract

Cultures consisting exclusively of monolayered immature astrocytes with superimposed migratory spongioblasts were prepared by trypsinization of human fetal brain of 4 1 2 − 5 months' gestation. Cell types were identified by classical neuroglial morphology and by staining reactions with classical neuroglial metallic impregnation techniques. These characteristics remained stable in each cell type through serial passages during more than four months' cultivation. In addition to observations on the different growth patterns and characteristics of the two cell types, techniques were developed for preparation of pure cultures of astrocytes and for preparation of cell suspensions consisting predominantly of spongioblasts or of astrocytes.