Cell Specification
Astrocytes are the majority cell type of the mammalian brain. Astrocytes have been implicated in a variety of supportive functions for their partner neurons in the CNS, such as neuronal guidance during development and nutritional and metabolic support throughout life [1]. The functions of astroyctes are also complicated during pathological process [2]. Numerous studies have demonstrated that astrocytes are among the most functionally diverse group of cells in the CNS [3]. Much of what we have learned about astrocytes is from in vitro studies and astrocytes culture is continually providing a useful tool in exploring the diverse property of astrocytes.

MA from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from mouse brain (cerebral cortex). MA are cryopreserved at primary culture and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10⁵ cells in 1 ml volume. MA are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibody to GFAP. MA are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. MA are guaranteed to further expand for 10 population doublings in the condition provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium
It is recommended to use astrocyte medium (AM, Cat. No. 1801) for the culturing of mouse astrocyte in vitro.

Product Use
MA are for research use only. They are not approved for human or animal use, or for application in in vitro diagnostic procedures.

Storage
Transfer cells directly and immediately from dry ice to liquid nitrogen upon receiving and keep the cells in liquid nitrogen until cell culture is needed for experiments.

Shipping
Dry ice.

Reference
[1] Astrocytes, pharmacology and function. Edited by Sean Murphy. 1993 by Academic press, Inc.
[2] Van der Laan, L. J. W., De Groot, C. J. A., Elices, M. J. and Dijkstran, C. D. (1997) Extracellular matrix proteins expressed by human adult astrocytes in vivo and in vitro: an astrocyte surface protein containing the CS1 domain contributes to binding of lymphoblasts. J. Neurosci. Res. 50:539-548.
[3] Shao, Y. and McCarhy, K. D. (1994) Plasticity of astrocytes. Glia 11:147-155.