Reconstruction of the gill from single-cell suspensions of the eel, Anguilla japonica

Abstract

Minute gill arches, about 2 mm in length and with 17-20 pairs of filaments, were reconstructed from single-cell suspensions of the adult eel gill. Mixed populations of the dissociated cells were cultured with growth medium (pH 7.2-7.4) either in a Rose chamber or in a roller tube at 20 degrees C. Single cells began to aggregate within 1 h into small cell clusters, which increase in size with selective adhesion of free cells. Melanin cells were frequently observed in the aggregates. Cell aggregates containing melanin cells transformed progressively into a gill barlike structure, and then, filamentlike structures grew from the bar. Secondary lammelalike structures were observed on the filaments. With growth of the gill bar, the filaments increased in both number and length, and after about 1-2 wk minute gill arches were reconstructed with original histological properties and circulatory system.