Overview of Primary Neurons and Glia Cell Culture

Primary neurons, like all primary cells, are isolated directly from human or animal nervous tissue. Unlike cell lines, primary cells maintain the characteristics of their tissue of origin, making them a biologically and physiologically relevant tool for the study of neuroscience.

Due to selective pressures and genetic drift that occur naturally during cell replication, cell lines can begin to exhibit reduced or altered functions. Primary neuron and glia cells therefore represent significantly more relevant in vitro model systems for neuroscientific research.

The isolation of primary cells can be challenging, and this is particularly the case for primary neural cells. In fact, it has only been within the last few decades that researchers have developed the means of isolating specific neuronal cell types from a complete primary cell culture¹. We ensure that our primary neural cell types are isolated accurately from specific regions of the brain by performing extensive testing to confirm cell identity.

¹ Jana et al. (2007). Neurochem Res 32(12):2015-22

Cortical

The cortex is the largest part of the brain, and is responsible for higher thought processes such as language, memory and the processing of sensory information. Our mouse and rat cortical neurons could be suited to studies into conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Schizophrenia. For example, shrinkage of the cortical and hippocampal regions of the brain is typical in patients with severe Alzheimer’s disease.  

Hippocampal

The hippocampus is responsible for the processing of long-term memory and emotional responses. Our rat and mouse hippocampal neurons could be applied to research into conditions including Epilepsy and Dementia.

Striatal

The striatum is one of the main components of the basal ganglia and is essential for controlling voluntary bodily movement. Researchers to study and treat conditions involving involuntary movements such as Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease could utilize mouse and rat striatal neurons.

Cerebellar

The role of the cerebellum is to receive sensory information and then regulate motor movements. Unlike all other neuronal cell types, which employ GABA as a neurotransmitter, cerebellar granular cells utilize glutamate. Our rat cerebellar neurons are ideal for studies into conditions, which include ataxia and tremor.

Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG)

Dorsal root ganglion, also called spinal ganglion, is the ganglion of the posterior root of each spinal segmental nerve, containing the cell bodies of the unipolar primary sensory neurons. Dorsal root ganglion cells are pseudounipolar cells. Pseudounipolar cells have two axons rather than an axon and dendrite. One axon extends centrally toward the spinal cord; the other axon extends toward the skin or muscle. Our rat dorsal root ganglion neurons can be applied to various neuropathic pain and sensory research.  

Hypothalamic

The hypothalamus synthesizes and secretes neurohomones, which stimulate or inhibit the secretion of pituitary hormones. It plays a pivotal role in controlling body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, and circadian cycles. Our hypothalamus neurons can be applied to research into hypothalamic diseases such as various appetite and sleep disorders.

Astrocytes

Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cell type of the central nervous system and provide essential physical and metabolic support to other neuronal cells. Increasingly, evidence shows that astrocytes are pivotal in regulating myelination, the process of coating axons in myelin, which increases the speed at which electrical impulses are transmitted. Astrocyte dysfunction is believed to underlie the pathology of conditions which include trauma, stroke and multiple sclerosis¹. They also play a role in:

• Regulates electrical impulses, synaptic transmission
• Metabolic support
• Transmitter Uptake and Release
• Regulates glycogen, blood flow and ion concentration 
• Blood Brain Barrier (BBB)

Microglia

Microglia represent the main immune cells within the central nervous system and perform a similar function to macrophages. Our rat microglial cells are ideal for research into conditions such as aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Primary neurons and glia can be used in many neural research applications.  Neuroscience research commonly focuses on understanding the cellular mechanisms of our central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as, the pathologies of neurodegenerative disease.  

Researchers will commonly use neurons and glial cells when investigating: 

• Neurogenesis 
• Neurotransmitter Function
• Gene Expression
• Signaling Pathways
• Electrophysiology
• Neurotoxicity 
• Drug/Compound Screening 
• Advanced Cell Culture Models

PNGM^TM Primary Neuron Growth Medium Kit – Specifically developed for culturing embryonic rat and mouse neurons. This serum-free medium allows for long-term maintenance and growth of neuronal cells, and maintains pure populations of neuronal cells without the need of an astrocyte feeder layer.

PNGM-A^TM Adult Primary Neuron Growth Medium  Similar to our PNGM^TM but formulated specifically for culturing adult primary neurons and cerebellar granule cells. 

AGM^TM Primary Astrocyte Growth Medium – Used for culturing human and animal astrocytes in serum-free environment, in BulletKit^TM format. This media has been tested and guaranteed to perform with all Clonetics^TM Primary Astrocytes.