Basal lamina enhances hippocampal neurite outgrowth in vitro

To investigate the involvement of the extracellular matrix in central neuron neurite outgrowth, dissociated hippocampal neurons were cultured on basal lamina prepared from chick embryo retina. After 2 days in culture, the basal lamina was found to promote marked hippocampal neurite outgrowth. The average neurite length was over twice that on collagen plus laminin-treated coverslips. These results clearly indicate that central neurons as well as peripheral neurons respond to the components of basal lamina and thus extend their processes.