Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Astrocytes

Astrocytes are the major cell type in the mammalian brain. They provide a variety of supportive functions to their partner neurons in the central nervous system (CNS), such as neuronal guidance during development, and nutritional and metabolic support throughout life. Astrocytes have also been implicated in various pathological processes; for example, in multiple sclerosis, perivascular fibrosis composed of fibrillar collagens with biglycan and decorin accumulates between the endothelium and the astrocytic glia limitans and is closely associated with infiltrating immune cells. 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.Together, studies showed astrocytes vary dramatically across regions and states, engaging distinct transcriptional programs and synapsemodulating mechanisms rather than a single “support” role. Building in-vitro models with functional human astrocytes offers exceptional value for mechanistic discovery and drug screening. Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Astrocytes (H9-A) from ScienCell Research Laboratories have high purity and quality control profile to provide a robust, reliable, and consistent off-the-shelf option for human astrocytes. H9-A are cryopreserved and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >1 x 10⁶ cells in 1 ml volume. H9-A are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibody specific to GFAP, S100β and Vimentin. H9-A are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. H9-A can be further cultured under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.