An improved method for propagating oligodendrocyte progenitors in vitro.

Many investigators studying oligodendrocytes in vitro have sought out cell lines because it has been difficult to obtain sufficient numbers of primary oligodendrocytes for study. This paper describes three methodological improvements that facilitate culturing oligodendrocytes. We show that by detaching progenitor cells using papain instead of trypsin the total yield of oligodendrocyte progenitors can be doubled. We also show that papain can be used to subculture differentiated oligodendrocytes. Finally we report that primary O-2A progenitors can be cryo-preserved, reducing the demand upon laboratory personnel to produce and propagate them.