The ultrastructure of isolated rat oligodendroglial cell cultures

Cultured rat oligodendrocytes were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Cells were identified by an immunocytochemical stain for galactocerebroside, a specific cell surface marker for oligodendroglial cells. Oligodendroglial cell perikarya contained numerous ribosomal rosettes, microtubules, prominent networks of cisternae of the Golgi apparatus and residual bodies. Glycogen and intermediate filaments were absent. Oligodendrocytes gave rise to numerous processes. Pentalaminar and heptalaminar profiles, consistent with tight and gap junctions, were seen between plasma membranes of processes and between perikarya and processes. The cell surface of processes showed numerous gross ruffles which stained for galactocerebroside. Similar membranous profiles appeared in the vicinity of oligodendroglial processes and suggested to us that the plasma membrane of certain of its components may be released into the medium. We concluded that cultured rat oligodendrocytes maintain many similarities with oligodendrocytes in situ and, therefore, are valid models for morphologic, physiologic and biochemical studies.