Dystrophic dendrites induced in cultured Purkinje cells by exposure to vinblastine

Organotypic cerebellar cultures were exposed to the mitotic spindle inhibitor, vinblastine, and examined by light and electron microscopy, and electrophysiologically. Purkinje cells in exposed cultures had stunted, varicose dendrites when observed in preparations reacted with antibody to nonphosphorylated neurofilament protein. Ultrastructurally, microtubules were selectively reduced in Purkinje cell dendrites, which contained disarrayed excess smooth endoplasmic reticulum, but no large accumulations of densely packed neurofilaments. Spontaneous cortical discharges were initially increased in vinblastine treated cultures and then ceased, at which time the cultures became unresponsive to electrical stimulation. The vinblastine-induced changes were attributed to impaired intracellular transport secondary to disruption of Purkinje cell dendritic microtubules.