Culturing of Specialized Glial Cells (Olfactory Ensheathing Cells) of Human Olfactory Epithelium

A monolayer of dissociated glial cells of human olfactory epithelium was cultured in Petri dishes and 12-well plates using a polylysine-laminin substrate. Primary cultures were sub-cultured after 10–15 days. The cell cultures were analyzed by phase contrast microscopy at all stages of culturing. A cytological study involved histological methods (trypan blue staining) and immunocytochemical visualization of GFAP, nestin, and low-affinity nerve growth factor receptors. At the final stage of culturing (5 passages) the monolayer cultures included 2 types of cells: GFAP- and p75-positive glial cells and nestin-positive fibroblasts.