Meningeal cells surrounding the brain participate actively in the normal development of the central nervous system. For example, they play important roles in both stabilizing the extracellular matrix of the pial surface and by organizing the radial glial scaffold and the lamination of the cerebellar cortex [1]. Selective pharmacological destruction of the meningeal cells during a critical ontogenetic period leads to specific malformation of both the cerebella cortex and dentate gyrus [1]. Grafts of meningeal cells, which are derived from meninges overlying the cerebral cortex in adult rat spinal cord lesion, promote axonal regrowth [2]. In vitro study show that meningeal cell chemotactically orients the migration of immature neurons but not glial cells [3].

MMC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from mouse leptomeningi. MMC are cryopreserved at passage one cultures and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10^5 cells in 1 ml volume. MMC are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibodies to fibronectin and negative to GFAP, alpha-smooth muscle actin and Thy 1.1. MMC are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. MMC are guaranteed to further expand for 5 population doublings in the conditions specified by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium

It is recommended to use Meningeal Cell Medium (MCM, Cat. #1401) for the culturing of MMenC in vitro.