Generation of rat neural stem cells to produce different astrocyte phenotypes

Sherrard Smith, R., Barnett, S. C. and Lindsay, S. L. (2022) Generation of rat neural stem cells to produce different astrocyte phenotypes. In: Kannan, N. and Beer, P. (eds.) Stem Cell Assays: Methods and Protocols. Series: Methods in molecular biology (2429). Humana Press: New York, pp. 333-344. ISBN 9781071619780 (doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1979-7_21)

Abstract

Striatum-derived neural stem cells have been used to generate a variety of neural cell populations. They are composed of free-floating clusters of clonal neural stem cells, termed neurospheres, and can be expanded under growth factor stimulation in vitro. The multipotent nature of neurospheres means that under certain growth conditions they can differentiate into neuronal and glial progenitors of the central nervous system (CNS).Here, we describe a method for creating a population of astrocytes derived from rat striatum neurospheres, which in turn can be used to generate astrocytes with different reactivity phenotypes. Several methods and techniques are already available for the generation of neurospheres, but the method detailed herein provides an accessible, reproducible protocol for large numbers of astrocyte cultures, that can then be manipulated in an experimental format for further investigation.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sherrard Smith, rebecca and Lindsay, Dr Susan and Barnett, Professor Susan
• Authors: Sherrard Smith, R., Barnett, S. C., and Lindsay, S. L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Research Centre: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Immunobiology
• Publisher: Humana Press
• ISBN: 9781071619780
• Published Online: 05 May 2022