Immortalized Human Astrocytes, fetal – hTERT

Astrocytes are glial cells found in the brain and spinal cord that play a critical role in maintenance, support, and repair of nervous tissue. Astrocytes have also been implicated in various pathological processes. Long-term recovery after brain injury, through neurite outgrowth, synaptic plasticity, or neuron regeneration, is also influenced by astrocyte surface molecule expression and trophic factor release. These cells can serve as valuable in vitro model for exploring the diversity of astrocytes functions. Real Time PCR was used to quantify hTERT gene expression in immortalized cell line.