The aggregation rate of resuspended neuroblastoma N2A cells depends on the density of the cells in culture prior to their resuspension: isolated, fast growing cells have a weak tendency to aggregate whereas confluent, slowly growing cells reaggregate very strongly. L1 antibody 557 strongly inhibited the slow aggregation of isolated, fast growing cells but not the reaggregation of confluent cells. CD24 (nectadrin) antibodies did not affect the aggregation of isolated or confluent cells but stimulated the aggregation of subconfluent cells. In all stages aggregation was not inhibited when antibody 557 was used together with CD24 antibodies at 37 degrees C in the presence of divalent cations. EA-1 antibody to alpha 6 integrin chain stimulated the aggregation of subconfluent cells but inhibited the reaggregation of confluent cells. Therefore, L1 appears to be an early recognition molecule mediating weak primary adhesion. CD24 appears to participate in activating secondary adhesion mechanisms during primary adhesion, possibly in cooperation with L1, and alpha 6 integrin seems to serve as a secondary, strong adhesion molecule that in early adhesion phases also mediates the activation of itself or of other adhesion mechanisms. These results indicate that neural cells might employ a strategy of adhesion cascade in establishing stable contacts.