Description

The precursor cells for oligodendrocytes were first discovered in 1993 by Raff, Miller and Noble [1] and have been extensively studied. These precursor cells are referred in the literature as either oligodendrocyte-type-2 astrocyte progenitor cells or oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPC). The developing and adult central nervous system both contain OPC [2, 3]. Oligodendrocytes, the myelin-forming cells of the central nervous system, develop from OPC. In culture, OPC can be generated from neural progenitors or neural stem cells in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor and they proliferate in presence to platelet-derived growth factor or factors produced by astrocytes [4] and differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes. Because of this, they have provided an exceptional population in which to study developmental transitions.

ROPC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from neonate day 2 rat brain tissues. ROPC are cryopreserved after purification and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >1 x 10^6 cells in 1 ml volume. ROPC are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibodies to A2B5 and nestin. ROPC are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. ROPC are guaranteed to further culture at the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Product Use

ROPC are for research use only. It is not approved for human or animal use, or for application in in vitro diagnostic procedures.

Storage

Directly and immediately transfer cells from dry ice to liquid nitrogen upon receiving and keep the cells in liquid nitrogen until cell culture needed for experiments.

Shipping

Dry ice.

Reference

[1] Raff, M. C., Miller, R. H. and Noble, M. (1983) A glial progenitor cell that develops in vitro into an astrocyte or an oligodendrocyte depending on the culture medium. Nature 303:390-396.
[2] ffrench-Constant, C. and Raff. M. C. (1986) Proliferating bipotential glial progenitor cells in adult rat optic nerve. Nature 319:499-502.
[3] Wolswijk, G. and Noble, M. (1989) Identification of an adult-specific glial progenitor cell. Development 105:387-400.
[4] Noble, M., Murray, K., Stroobant, P., Waterfield, M. D. Riddle, P. (1988) Platelet-derived growth factor promotes division and motility and inhibits premature differentiation of the oligodendrocyte/type-2 astrocyte progenitor cells. Nature 333:560-562.