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A High Output Method to Isolate Cerebral Pericytes from Mouse
Published on: January 14, 2020
A novel and simple method for culturing pericytes from mouse brain.
Ulrich Tigges1, Jennifer V Welser-Alves, Amin Boroujerdi
1Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Microvascular Research
|April 10, 2012
Summary
Researchers developed a simple method to isolate and culture pure central nervous system (CNS) pericytes from mice. This technique yields large numbers of highly pure pericytes for extended study of these vital vascular cells.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Pericytes are crucial for blood vessel development, maturation, and remodeling.
- In the central nervous system (CNS), pericytes regulate blood flow and are integral to the blood-brain barrier.
- Previous research on CNS pericytes was limited by the lack of specific markers and difficulties in culturing pure, abundant cell populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, simple, and effective method for isolating and culturing large quantities of highly pure mouse CNS pericytes.
- To provide a reliable cell culture system for researchers studying pericyte biology and function.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of vascular cells from adult mouse brains.
- Initial culture under endothelial cell-optimized conditions, followed by a switch to pericyte growth medium after two passages.
- Subsequent culture for 1-2 passages to obtain a homogeneous pericyte population.
Main Results:
- The method yielded large numbers of highly pure pericyte cultures.
- The cultured cells expressed pericyte markers (NG2, PDGFβ-receptor, CD146) and were negative for endothelial, microglial, and astrocyte markers.
- Pericytes maintained purity and low differentiation (α-SMA expression) at high passage numbers, but could still differentiate when stimulated.
Conclusions:
- A simple and effective method for culturing high-purity mouse CNS pericytes has been established.
- This technique provides a valuable tool for researchers needing substantial numbers of pure pericytes for extended study.
- The ability to maintain and induce differentiation of these pericytes offers new avenues for investigating their roles in CNS health and disease.
