Neurons and glia in purified retinal cultures identified by monoclonal antibodies to intermediate filaments

Two monoclonal antibodies known to bind intermediate filaments were used to identify neurons and glia from embryonic chick neural retina. Neurofilament specific antibody RT-97-F1, bound neuroepithelial cells, migrating neurons, as well as the photoreceptor layer, plexiform layers and optic fiber layer. The other, 3A7, bound intermediate filaments of Müller cells. In purified neuronal cultures, RT-97-F1 bound 75, 83 and 98% of the cells present at 24, 48 and 72 h respectively, while 3A7 bound 26, 15 and 0.3% for the same times in vitro. In purified glial cultures, RT-97-F1 showed a weak perinuclear binding, while 3A7 strongly bound intermediate filaments of nearly 100% of the cells. These antibodies confirmed and quantitated the high purity of our cultures.