In vitro analysis of neuron-glial cell interactions during cellular migration

Eur Biophys J. 2002 May;31(2):81-8. doi: 10.1007/s00249-001-0194-y. Epub 2001 Dec 19.

Abstract

We used time-lapse microscopy to study the in vitro migration of neuronal cells from developing chick ciliary ganglion. These cells, when dissociated and cultured in a chemically defined medium, are able to migrate and to associate into clusters. We focused our attention on the study of the distribution of neuronal velocity components. Quantitative analysis of cell trajectories allowed us to demonstrate that, in many cells, velocities are well described by the Langevin equation, when deterministic components of the forces acting on the cells are taken into account. We also have shown that the majority of neurons whose movement is not purely random migrate in association with glial cells. We conclude that glial cells, by guiding neurons during migration, play an important role in the cell organization in vitro.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Biophysics
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Movement
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chick Embryo
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Video
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Movement
  • Neuroglia / cytology*
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Normal Distribution
  • Software