Astrocytes are the major cell type in the mammalian brain. They provide a variety of supportive functions to their partner neurons in the central nervous system (CNS), such as neuronal guidance during development, nutritional and metabolic support throughout life. Numerous studies have demonstrated that astrocytes are among the most functionally diverse group of cells in the CNS. Impairment of normal astrocyte functions during stroke and other insults can critically influence neuron survival. Retinal astrocytes are critical for the homeostasis of neurons and retinal function. Apart from various neuropathological conditions, retinal astrocytes contribute to retinal vascular disease, retinitis pigmentosa and glaucoma. Rat retinal astrocytes (RA-r) are an excellent in vitro model for studying astrocytes under normal physiological and pathological conditions. RA-r from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from CD® IGS rat retina. RA-r are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10^5 cells in 1 ml volume. RA-r are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibody specific to GFAP. RA-r are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. RA-r are guaranteed to further expand for 5 population doublings under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories. Recommended Medium It is recommended to use Astrocyte Medium-animal (AM-a, Cat. #1831) for culturing RA-r in vitro.