The use of networks of dissociated rat dorsal root ganglion neurons to induce myelination by oligodencrocytes in culture.

A neuronal culture system has been developed that has the demonstrated ability to induce myelin formation by added oligodendrocytes. Networks of dissociated dorsal root ganglion neurons were prepared by suppressing non-neuronal cells (i.e. fibroblasts and Schwann cells) with a continuous 2 week exposure to 10(-5)M fluorodeoxyuridine in the culture medium. After drug withdrawal, neuroglial cells were introduced in optic nerve implants from 1-2 week-old rats. These added glial cells migrated extensively over the unensheathed neurites and central myelin was formed by 2 weeks after the implant addition.