Immunocytochemical, ultrastructural and neurochemical evidences on synaptogenesis and dopamine release of rat chromaffin cells co-cultured with striatal neurons

The results reported herein address the question of synaptogenesis between adrenal chromaffin cells and striatal neurons. The release of dopamine from chromaffin cells in the presence of striatal neurons was also examined. Co -culture of newborn rat chromaffin cells and striatal neurons at 1:1 ratio was made. Cultures were examined morphologically using immunocytochemistry and ultrastructural techniques (transmission electron microscopy), while qu antitation of dopamine in the culture media by HPLC-ECD was also determined . Neurite outgrowth from chromaffin cells was enhanced in the presence of s triatal neurons and numerous synaptic-like contacts between these two cell types were observed. Higher concentration of dopamine was also present in t he co-culture medium as compared with those containing only chromaffin cell s. The development of synapses between these two types of cells may give su pport to the functionality of transplants in human cases of Parkinson disea se (PD).