Nerve Growth Factor Requirement for Development of Dissociated Embryonic Sensory and Sympathetic Ganglia in Culture

Abstract

Summary Dissociated embryonic sensory and sympathetic nerve cells required NGF for development in culture from single cell stage to the formation of ganglia-like structures. The further addition of insulin markedly enhanced the growth pattern. Nissl and silver stains as well as electron microscopy studies supported the contention that these cells and fiber outgrowths were nerve cells and axons and not supporting or satellite cells. However, functional activity has not been proven. The authors wish to thank Dr. R. K. Richards for many fruitful discussions and suggestions during this work. Thanks are also due to Mr. E. Rdzok for assistance in photography, to Mr. J. Beuttas for preparation of the stained sections, and to Mr. W. White for preparation of the NGF fractions.