Astrocytes lose fibroblast-like morphology in a neuron-glia coculture system.

<p>(A) Astrocytes (DIV 22) grown in monoculture exhibit a fibroblast-like morphology and express Fibronectin, as illustrated by immunocytochemistry. Direct contact with neurons in coculture (DIV 22) led to increased process formation resembling a morphology more similar to protoplasmic astrocytes, and a drastically reduced expression of Fibronectin. Nuclei are stained with bis-Benzimide (bisBenz) and astrocytes or neurons are identified by either GFAP or MAP2 immunostainings, respectively (scale bar = 10 μm). (B) Immunoblot analysis of lysates derived from astrocytic monocultures and neuron-glia cocultures (DIV 22) demonstrate a loss of Fibronectin expression and a reduction in GFAP in cocultures.