Characterization of neurite growth and retraction kinetics using 3.0-μm porous filters and the collapsing factor LPA. A, shown is a schematic of a neurite purification chamber showing neurite extension toward the lower surface of the filter coated with laminin. B, left panel, a fluorescence photomicrograph of the lower surface of the membrane shows neurites stained with α-tubulin (red) extending through 3.0-μm pores toward a drop of laminin (green) for 18 h. Note that neurites do not extend to the lower surface in the absence of laminin coating. Right panel, shown is a fluorescence photomicrograph of a NIE-115 neurite growth cone stained with FITC-phalloidin to visualize F-actin (green) and antibodies to tubulin to visualize microtubules (red). Bar, left panel, 30 μm; right panel, 10 μm. C, shown is quantification of neurite extension kinetics to the lower surface of 3.0-μm membranes coated with laminin on the bottom only, top only, bottom and top, or not coated with laminin. Neurites were stained with crystal violet; the dye was eluted and quantified using a spectrophotometer as described under “Experimental Procedures.” S.D. from three independent experiments are shown. D, shown is quantification of neurite retraction kinetics in response to LPA added to the lower chamber (left graph), upper or lower chamber (middle graph), or upper and lower chamber (right graph) for the indicated times. E, shown is a fluorescence photomicrograph of a time series of neurite retraction on the lower membrane surface in response to LPA added to the lower chamber for the indicated times. The arrow shows retracting neurites. Bar = 20 μm.