Striatal matrix neurons of the rat differentiate in culture from dissociated fetal progenitor cells isolated by buoyant density centrifugation

The adult striatum is composed of interlacing compartments known as patches (striosomes) and matrix, which differ with respect to a host of architecto nic, biochemical and developmental parameters. We have exploited the 2-phas e development of the striatum, employing buoyant-density fractionation to s eparate proliferating/undifferentiated neu rat precursors from the differen tiated neurons of the E19 striatum. Primary cell cultures were established for the collected fractions, and immunohistochemistry for maturational and compartment-specific markers performed. The results indicate that the least buoyant, striatal precursors concentrate principally in the low buoyancy f raction of the gradient, and in culture express known matrix phenotype mark ers in an appropriate time frame. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ir eland Ltd. All rights reserved.