The phagocytes of neonate rat primary mixed glial cultures

Abstract

The phagocytes present in mechanically dissociated neonate rat cerebral hemispheres have been cultured and characterized both qualitatively and quantitatively. They comprise about 10% of the starting cell suspension and persist but do not proliferate in culture. They do not possess neuronal or neuroglial antigens but do express the leukocyte common antigen and readily ingest both latex beads and opsonized erythrocytes. the latter by an Fc receptor-mediated process. Evidence is presented that these cells are a bona fida component of the neonate central nervous system.