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Isolation and Culture of Spinal Cord Astrocytes

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Astrocytes

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 814))

Abstract

Astrocytes are possibly the most numerous cells of the vertebrate central nervous system, yet a detailed characterization of their functions is still missing. One potential reason for the obscurity of astrocytic function is that they represent a diverse population of cells that all share some critical characteristics. In the CNS, astrocytes have been proposed to perform many functions. For example, they are supportive cells that provide guidance to newly formed migrating neurons and axons. They regulate the functions of endothelial cells at the blood brain barrier, provide nutrients, and maintain homeostasis including ionic balance within the CNS. More recently, dissecting the central role of astrocytes in mediating injury responses in the CNS, particularly the spinal cord, has become an area of considerable importance. The ability to culture-enriched populations of astrocytes has facilitated a detailed dissection of their potential roles in the developing and adult, normal, and injured brain and spinal cord. Most importantly, in vitro models have defined molecular signals that may mediate or regulate astrocyte functions and the capacity to modulate these signals may provide new opportunities for therapeutic intervention after spinal cord injury and other neural insults.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the members of the Translational Neuroscience Center for helping develop these protocols. The work was supported by NIH NS30800.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Amber E. Kerstetter

  2. Departments of Neurosciences, Center for Translational Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Robert H. Miller

Authors
  1. Amber E. Kerstetter
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  2. Robert H. Miller
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert H. Miller .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Molecular & Experimental, Scripps Research Institute, N. Torrey Pines Road 10550, La Jolla, 92037, California, USA

    Richard Milner

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Kerstetter, A.E., Miller, R.H. (2012). Isolation and Culture of Spinal Cord Astrocytes. In: Milner, R. (eds) Astrocytes. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 814. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-452-0_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-452-0_7

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-451-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-452-0

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