Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Derivation of Enriched Oligodendrocyte Cultures and Oligodendrocyte/Neuron Myelinating Co-cultures from Post-natal Murine Tissues
Published on: August 21, 2011
Neuron/Oligodendrocyte Myelination Coculture
Yi Pang1, Kimberly Simpson2,3, José Javier Miguel-Hidalgo3
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA. ypang@umc.edu.
Abstract:
Myelination cell culture systems are useful tools for studying myelin biology and myelin-related disorders. Compared to a number of established protocols for dissociated pure oligodendrocyte (OL) culture, methods for myelination culture are limited. We recently developed a mixed neuron-glia coculture system that generates robust and efficient myelination. By optimizing cell culture conditions, dissociated neural progenitor cells from embryonic rat spinal cords develop into neurons and glial cells including profiles of oligodendrocyte (OL) lineage. Within 4 weeks, OL progenitor cells (OPC) proliferate, differentiate into mature OLs, and myelinate axons. The formation of compact myelin sheath is confirmed by electron microscopy. For morphological analysis by light microscopy, cells grown on glass coverslips are fixed and immunostained for various myelin-related proteins, including those embedded within the myelin sheath and those clustered at the node of Ranvier. Myelinated axons can be quantified readily by either manual counting or ImageJ software. The culture system may also be used for electron microscopic analysis by slightly modifying the cell culture procedure.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Nervous Tissue: Myelin
Schwann cells begin to form myelin sheaths around axons during fetal development. They wrap around a small...
Neurons: The Axon
The axon attaches to the cell body at a cone-shaped elevation called the axon hillock. The initial part of the axon, closest to the hillock, is known as the initial segment....
Neuron Structure
Neuron Structure
Structure and Function of Neurons
The neuronal cell body—the soma— houses the nucleus and organelles vital to...
Neuronal Communication
Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission
Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which...

