Glial-Astrocyte Markers

Glia (and the largest set of Glia named Astrocytes) are crucial in the development of the nervous system and in processes such as synaptic plasticity and synaptogenesis. These cells have a role in the regulation of repair of neurons after injury. In the CNS, glia suppresses repair. Glial cells known as astrocytes enlarge and proliferate to form a scar and produce inhibitory molecules that inhibit regrowth of a damaged or severed axon. A subset called Microglia are are like specialized macrophages capable of phagocytosis that protect neurons of the central nervous system. They are derived from hematopoietic precursors rather than ectodermal tissue; they are commonly categorized as such because of their supportive role to neurons.

Image: Rat cortical stem cells were differentiated for 7 days and stained with GFAP (red) and Tuj-1 ( green). The nuclei were stained with DAPI (blue)

Note: for staining microglia in culture check out our Coronin 1a/p57-Protocol on data-sheet