Expression of the Thy-1 antigen in long-term cultures of embryonic mouse spinal cord.

Immunofluorescent studies of the Thy-1 antigen in cultures of mouse spinal cord demonstrated positivity on the surfaces of a fraction of neurons and glia. Positivity was evident by one week and increased slowly over the lifespan of the cultures, often several months. Thy-1 positivity was most apparent in regions of clustering of neurons and glia. Neuroglial clusters were identified by morphologic appearance; the identity of astrocytes was confirmed by immunofluorescent staining of glial fibrillary acidic protein.