Primary culture of human leptomeningeal cells in serum-free medium

Human leptomeningeal (LM) cells were grown in serum-free medium supplemented with insulin, transferrin and bovine serum albumin. The cultured cells maintained the polygonal morphology characteristic of leptomeningeal cells. Electronmicroscopic and immunofluorescence examinations revealed interdigitation of cell membranes, invagination of cytoplasm into the nucleus, specialized intercellular junctions and the presence of cytokeratin. These characteristics are consistent with previous reports characterizing LM cells. This serum-free culture system may facilitate the in vitro study of the leptomeninges.