Rat Astrocytes-midbrain

Astrocytes are the major cell type in the mammalian brain. The midbrain plays a critical role in processing sensory information and regulating motor control and coordination. Astrocytes provide a variety of supportive functions to their partner neurons in the central nervous system (CNS), such as neuronal guidance during development, nutritional and metabolic support throughout life. Impairment of normal astrocyte functions during stroke and other insults can critically influence neuron survival. Long-term recovery after brain injury, through neurite outgrowth, synaptic plasticity, or neuron regeneration, is also influenced by astrocyte surface molecule expression and trophic factor release. Numerous studies have demonstrated that astrocytes are among the most functionally diverse group of cells in the CNS. Rat Astrocytes-midbrain (RA-mb) can be used for studying the molecular and cellular properties of astrocytes from the midbrain.

RA-mb from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from CD® IGS rat midbrain. RA-mb are cryopreserved at P0 and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10⁵ cells in 1 ml volume. RA-mb are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibody specific to GFAP. RA-mb are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. RA-mb are guaranteed to further expand for 5 population doublings under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium

It is recommended to use Astrocyte Medium-animal (AM-a, Cat. #1831) for culturing RA-mb in vitro.