Cell Specification
Microglia, one of the glial cell types in the CNS, are an important integral component of neuro-glial cell network [1]. They have been observed in the brain parenchyma from the early stage of development to the mature state. Microglia act as brain macrophages when programmed cell death occurs during brain development or when the CNS is injured or pathologically damaged. Microglia can be considered as the main cell in brain immune surveillance, can present antigens in the molecular context of MHC class II expression to CD-4 positive T cells, are capable of Fc-mediated phagocytosis, and share many common antigens with hemopoietic and tissue macrophages [2]. Furthermore, there is accumulating evidence that microglia are involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes in the brain by interacting with neurons and other glial cells and through production of biologically active substances such as growth factors, cytokines, and other factors [3].

MM from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from primary mouse brain cell culture. Cryopreserved MM are frozen after purification without further expansion and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10⁵ cells in 1 ml volume. MM culture in different size of vessels is about 90% confluent and delivered in gel ice. MM is characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibody to OX-42 (CD 11b/c). MM is negative mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. MM is guaranteed to further culture in the condition provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium
It is recommended to use microglia medium (MM, Cat. No. 1901) for the culturing of mouse microglia in vitro.

Product Use
MM 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 or gel ice.

Reference
[1] Lee, S. C., Liu, W., Brosnan, C. F. and Dickson, D. W. (1992) Characterization of primary human fetal dissociated central nervous system cultures with an emphasis on microgia. Laboratory Investigation. 67:465-476.
[2] Fedoroff, S., Zhai, R. and Novak, J. P. (1997) Microglia and astroglia have a common progenitor cell. J. Neurosci. Res. 50: 477-486.
[3] Stoll, G. and Jander, S. (1999) The role of microglia and macrophages in the pathophysiology of the CNS. Prog. Neurobiol. 58:233-247.