Kg. Argall et al., A METHOD FOR THE ISOLATION AND CULTURE OF RAT PERIPHERAL-NERVE VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS, Molecular and cellular neurosciences, 5(5), 1994, pp. 413-417
In studying autoimmune diseases of the human peripheral nervous system
(PNS), in vitro studies involving the use of cultured rat Schwann cel
ls, neurons, and disease-inducing immune system cells have provided ba
sic information about disease pathogenesis. For example, T-cells that
induce experimental allergic neuritis have been shown in vitro to dama
ge Schwann cells, the target cell in these diseases. However, before m
aking contact with Schwann cells, these T-cells must first pass throug
h the blood-nerve barrier. Despite the importance of this interaction,
no studies employing PNS endothelial cells in coculture with dorsal r
oot ganglia cells to mimic the environment of the blood-nerve barrier
have been reported. This paper describes a simple method for the isola
tion and culture of peripheral nerve vascular endothelial cells from a
dult rats that should facilitate in vitro studies of the blood-nerve b
arrier. Endothelial cells were identified by their expression of an en
dothelial cell marker, Factor VIII/von Willebrand factor. Their identi
ty was further confirmed by their inability to express Thy 1.1, a fibr
oblast marker, and their in vitro morphology. Purity of endothelial ce
ll cultures was ensured by a regular program of Thy 1.1 complement dep
letion of fibroblasts. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.