Reanalysis of the protocol for in vitro synchronization of mammalian astrocytic cultures by serum deprivation

Brain Res Brain Res Protoc. 2005 Sep;15(3):115-8. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresprot.2005.05.002.

Abstract

Serum starvation of astrocytes for a period of time followed by refeeding has been proposed as a method to produce synchronized astrocytes. Here, it is proposed that the method neither synchronizes cells nor satisfies rigorous criteria for cell synchronization. The proposed non-selective, whole-culture synchronization protocol cannot, in theory, synchronize cells. The cells produced by the proposed serum starvation/refeeding protocol do not reflect the properties of any particular cell during the cell cycle. Cells produced by the published protocol will have a wide distribution of cell sizes, and therefore, the cells produced by starvation/refeeding will not model cells of any specific age during the division cycle. Thus, the proposed protocol will not produce a synchronized culture.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / cytology*
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods
  • Cell Cycle*
  • Culture Media, Serum-Free
  • Mammals

Substances

  • Culture Media, Serum-Free