Fetal human cortical neurons grown in culture: morphological differentiation, biochemical correlates and development of electrical activity

Cultured fetal human cortical neurons derived from second trimester human fetal cortex were analyzed with regard to their morphological differentiation and expression of cell-specific markers. The culture method was adapted from standardized protocols originally developed for the isolation and culture of rodent oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. This technique takes advantage of the different adhesive properties and stratification of central nervous system cells in vitro. Under these culture conditions fetal human cortical neurons underwent morphological differentiation, expressed neuron-specific markers and voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels. Highly enriched cultures of microglia and astrocytes generated from the same starting material also expressed cell-type specific markers. These cultures serve as a valuable tool for the establishment of normative data and as experimental models for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative studies.