Rat Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells

Rat Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells (OPCs) were initially identified in 1983 within the optic nerve of 7-day-old rats. Interestingly, when cultured in the presence of fetal calf serum, these cells differentiate into fibrous astrocytes, but in the absence of serum, they develop into oligodendrocytes. OPCs have been extensively studied and are commonly known as either oligodendrocyte-type-2 astrocyte progenitor cells or oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Found in both developing and adult central nervous systems, their maturation from multipotent neural stem cells into mature oligodendrocytes is influenced by thyroid hormone, mediated by thyroid hormone receptors. In laboratory cultures, OPCs can be generated from neural progenitors or neural stem cells through stimulation with basic fibroblast growth factor. They proliferate in the presence of platelet-derived growth factor or astrocyte-produced factors, ultimately differentiating into fully functional oligodendrocytes.

Why choose Rat Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells(ROPCs) from AcceGen?

ROPCs from AcceGen are a good choice for reliable, high-quality research. They are isolated from postnatal day 2 rat brain and cryopreserved at P0, and each vial contains over 1×10⁶ cells in 1 ml volume. ROPCs are extensively characterized through immunofluorescence with specific antibodies and are free from contamination. AcceGen guarantees successful further culture under provided conditions, ensuring consistent and reproducible results.