Fig. 1.

Differentiation of neural progenitor cells. The differentiation potential of striatal neural precursors can be restricted by culture conditions. (A) Cell cluster after 5 days of growth in non-adherent growth factor containing media, viewed in phase contrast. Cells were grown as free-floating clusters, reaching approximately 200 mm in diameter. (B) Cells spread out from clusters within 6 h of plating, and by 2 days, possess complex morphologies. (C) Multipolar GalC-positive (green) oligodendrocytes were abundant after 7 days of growth on adherent substrate in the absence of growth factors (Hoechst-positive nuclei is blue). (D) Quantification of cell types after 7 days of growth on adherent substrate in the absence of growth factors indicated that the differentiation protocol yielded ∼ 70% Galc+ oligodendrocytes, ∼ 25% GFAP+ astrocytes, and ∼ 5% Map2+ neurons as determined by immunocytochemistry. Data are presented as average ± SEM and are representative of results of four independent cultures. 40× magnification for (A), 200× magnification for (B), and 400× for magnification for (C).