Neuronal Cells of the Nervous System
The nervous systems of the vertebrate animals are often divided into a central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord. The PNS consists of all other nerves and neurons which are not part of the CNS.
Cell Types and Functions
The nervous system of an animal coordinates the activity of the muscles, monitors the organs, constructs and processes input from the senses and initiates actions. The nervous system consists basically of two types of cells. Neurons are the primary cells of the nervous system and responsible for impulse or signal transmission. Glias are secondary cells involved in nourishment and structural support. Many neurons have insulating sheaths of myelin around their axons. The sheaths are formed by glial cells (commonly called neuroglia or simply glia) which are non-neuronal cells that provide support and nutrition, form myelin, and participate in signal transmission. The main cell types of glial cells consist of astrocytes which are responsible for coating of axons, producing the myelin sheaths and oligodendrocytes which provide neurons with food.
Research on Cells of the Nervous System
Neurons are the most important cells for signal transmission in the nervous system. Little is known about the mechanism of regulation and development. To study the molecular basis of neurons and their supporting glial cells it is necessary to cultivate the cells separately under defined conditions. Research of cells of the nervous system has traditionally focused on keeping neurons alive. The focus was the result of the dogma that adult mammalian cells of the nervous system were incapable of generating new cells. With the discovery of stem cells in the embryonic and adult central nervous system neuronal cells can be studied under proliferating conditions.
Neuronal Stem Cells
Neuronal stem cells (NSC), with the potential for self renewal and to differentiate into neurons and glial cells can be grown under serum free conditions in the presence of specific growth factors. In vitro grown NSC enables researchers to study basic development and neural re-implantation into human beings.
PAA’s Products for Neuronal Cell Culture
For detailed studies of neurons and neuronal stem cells defined conditions are necessary. Nutrient media supplemented with foetal bovine serum contains factors which can inhibit growth of neuronal cells. Therefore specific serum free media were developed for optimal survival and growth of embryonic and adult neurons. For proliferation and differentiation of neuronal stem cells specific cytokines are necessary.
PAA offers a complete product line for serum free cultivation not only for embryonic and adult neurons but also for the proliferation of neuronal stem cells. For differentiation of neuronal stem cells into neurons and astrocytes PAA provides different supplements. The newly developed basal media and cytokines also support the differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells into neural lineages.