CHARACTERIZATION OF GLIAL CULTURES FROM RAPID AUTOPSIES OF ALZHEIMERSAND CONTROL PATIENTS

We have developed isolated and mixed cultures of microglia, astrocytes , and oligodendrocytes from rapid (mean of 2 h 55 min) autopsies of no ndemented elderly patients and patients with Alzheimer's disease, Park inson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Cultures were derived from bo th the corpus callosum (CC) and superior frontal gyrus (SFG). Cultured microglia phagocytosed latex beads, were reactive for DiI-acetylated low density lipoprotein, were immunoreactive for CD68 and major histoc ompatibility complex II markers, and were not immunoreactive for fibro blast, astrocyte, or oligodendrocyte markers. Cultured astrocytes incl uded fibrous and protoplasmic types, were immunoreactive for GFAP, and were not immunoreactive for fibroblast, microglia, or oligodendrocyte markers. Cultured oligodendrocytes were poorly adherent, were slow to develop, were immunoreactive for galactocerebroside, and were not imm unoreactive for fibroblast, microglia, or astrocyte markers. Because t hey are readily manipulated under controlled experimental conditions, and because they permit immediate access to individual cells and sets of cells from patients who have actually suffered the disease, these c ultures may provide an important new tool for unravelling the etiology and pathogenesis of human CNS disorders.