Primary culture of neonatal rat olfactory neurons

• Published in: The Journal of neuroscience Vol. 11; no. 5; pp. 1243 - 1255
• Main Authors: Ronnett, GV, Hester, LD, Snyder, SH
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Soc Neuroscience 01.05.1991; Society for Neuroscience
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Axons - drug effects; Axons - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Culture Techniques - methods; Cyclic AMP - metabolism; Epithelial Cells; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Nerve Growth Factors - pharmacology; Nerve Tissue Proteins - analysis; Neurons - cytology; Neurons - drug effects; Neurons - physiology; Odorants; Olfactory system and olfaction. Gustatory system and gustation; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase - analysis; Rats; Turbinates - cytology; Turbinates - innervation; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Vimentin - analysis; Immunohistochemistry; Cell culture; Olfactive system; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Rat; Newborn animal; Rodentia; Olfaction; Nerve growth factor; Olfactory epithelium; Immunological method
• ISSN: 0270-6474; 1529-2401
• DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.11-05-01243.1991

We have prepared primary cultures of purified neonatal rat olfactory neurons. Dissociated olfactory epithelial cells are maintained in modified Eagle's medium with D-valine, cytosine arabinoside, and NGF. NGF is required for neuronal survival. Immunohistochemical staining is positive for the neuronal markers vimentin, olfactory marker protein, and neuron-specific enolase, but negative for the glial markers, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and S-100 protein. Physiologic concentrations of odorants stimulate cAMP accumulation in the cells. Because of their morphology, biochemical composition, and responsiveness to odorants, these cells should enhance olfactory investigations.