C8-D1A Cell Line
Repository ID: CL-MUS-003
Quick Facts
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Cell Line | C8-D1A |
| Species | Mouse (Mus musculus) |
| Tissue of Origin | Cerebellum |
| Cell Type | Astrocyte-like |
| Growth Mode | Adherent |
| Morphology | Flat, stellate, astrocyte-like |
| Typical Medium | DMEM + 10% FBS |
| Doubling Time | Approximately 24-48 hours |
| Main Use | Astrocyte biology and neuroinflammation research |
Overview
C8-D1A is a widely used immortalized mouse astrocyte cell line that provides a reproducible model for investigating astrocyte function in the central nervous system. It is commonly employed to study neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neuron-glia communication, and the role of astrocytes in neurological disorders.
Because primary astrocytes are difficult to isolate and exhibit considerable biological variability, C8-D1A offers a practical alternative for routine laboratory studies.
Origin
- Derived from mouse cerebellar astrocytes.
- Developed as an immortalized astrocyte model for neuroscience research.
- Serves as a renewable alternative to primary astrocyte cultures.
Unique Biology
C8-D1A cells reproduce many functional properties of astrocytes, including regulation of neuronal homeostasis and responses to inflammatory stimuli.
They are frequently used to investigate:
- Astrocyte activation
- Reactive astrogliosis
- Cytokine signaling
- Oxidative stress
- Neuron-glia communication
C8-D1A cells also express several astrocytic markers, including GFAP, S100β, GLAST, and GLT-1, although expression may vary with culture conditions and activation state.
While they model many astrocytic functions, C8-D1A cells cannot fully reproduce the complexity and regional diversity of primary astrocytes within the brain.
Culture Considerations
Typical culture conditions include:
- DMEM
- 10% Fetal Bovine Serum
- 37°C
- 5% CO₂
Cells grow as adherent monolayers and are generally passaged at 70-90% confluency.
Experimental responses may vary with passage number and inflammatory stimulation, making standardized culture conditions important for reproducibility.
Major Applications
C8-D1A cells are extensively used for:
- Astrocyte biology
- Neuroinflammation
- Reactive astrogliosis
- Oxidative stress research
- Neuron-glia interaction studies
- Alzheimer's disease research
- Parkinson's disease research
- Stroke and ischemia models
- Drug screening
- Neuroprotection studies
Strengths
- Well-established astrocyte model
- Easy to culture and maintain
- Reproducible experimental responses
- Suitable for glial biology research
- Cost-effective alternative to primary astrocytes
- Extensive neuroscience literature
Limitations
- Mouse-derived rather than human
- Immortalized cell line that differs from primary astrocytes
- Does not reproduce the cellular complexity of the CNS
- Limited representation of astrocyte heterogeneity
- Findings should be validated using primary astrocytes or in vivo models when appropriate
References
- Freshney RI. Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique and Specialized Applications.
- ATCC Cell Line Database.
- Cellosaurus Cell Line Knowledge Resource.
- ECACC Cell Line Collection.
- Relevant primary publications describing the C8-D1A cell line and its applications.