Morphologic alterations in satellite and Schwann cells after exposure of fetal mouse dorsal root ganglia - spinal cord cultures to taxol

Organotypic cultures of 14-day fetal mouse spinal cord with attached dorsal root ganglia were exposed to 1 μM taxol in nutrient medium supplemented with nerve growth factor (NGF; 300 units/ml) for 6 days starting at explantation. Cultures were fixed at intervals up to 40 days after drug withdrawal. Satellite and Schwann cells contained abundant microtubules some arrayed along endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, and significant reductions in ribosomal and filamentous constituents. There was an increased number of lysosomes, and fewer Golgi complexes. Some cells appeared polynucleate or contained abnormally-multilobate nuclei with atypical chromatin. Microtubules were occasionally present in these unusual nuclei, as were polymorphic vesicles and areas of degeneration. Three centriolar/basal body complexes occurred in some cells. Neurites were atypically invested by pleomorphic filopodia-like Schwann cell processes. Aberrant cells remained coated by basal lamina. Such abnormal cells were observed throughout the 40-day recovery period, while neurons gradually returned to normal.