Figure 6: Characterization of S. aurata astrocyte monolayer. Phase contrast microscopy images showing the monolayer growth and differentiation in primary neuroglial cell cultures. (a) Astrocytes intercommunicated forming a monolayer after 2 weeks (×400), and (b) young neuron attached on the astrocyte border. (c, d) Phase contrast image showing fully differentiated communicating astrocytes connected with elongated neuritis overwhelming the cells after 1 month of culture (×400). (e) Mature astrocytes positive for UCHL1 labeling at the tips of the astrocytes processes (green) and DAPI (blue nuclei) after 1 week of culturing. (×400). (f, f’) GFAP-immunoreactive mature astrocytes after 1 month of culture with the typical stellate shape and nuclei DAPI counterstained (×400). (g) Negative inverted phase contrast image showing 2 weeks old cultures of microglia (×400). (h) Mature astrocytes positive for GFAP labeling at the tips of the astrocytes processes (red) and DAPI (blue nuclei) after 1 week of culturing. (×400). Scale bar = 50 μm