Schwann cells influence the expression of ganglioside GD3 by rat dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons expressed ganglioside GD3 when grown in the absence of non-neuronal cells. Among the non-neuronal cells, fibroblasts, but not Schwann cells, also stained for ganglioside GD3 during the first few days in culture. When neurons were combined with non-neuronal cells the intensity of the GD3 immunoreactive neuronal processes was diminished at sites contacted by Schwann cells. This contact-mediated effect was specific for ganglioside GD3 since no difference was seen with A2B5 or JONES antibodies, which recognize different gangliosides.