Outgrowth and maintenance of neurites from cultured goldfish retinal ganglion cells.

Single retinal ganglion cells obtained from goldfish retina are shown to support outgrowth of neurites. Processes up to 1 mm in length grow out over a two week period from cells identified as retinal ganglion cells on the basis of morphological criteria, in the absence of supporting elements. Prior crush of the optic nerve significantly enhances neuritic outgrowth. Fibers emerging from single cells often associate to form a single process. A tendency for characteristic clockwise patterning of neurite outgrowth from single cells is seen, similar to that obtained from retinal explants.