Low-density primary cell culture of postnatal murine cerebellar progenitors in vitro

Abstract

Cerebellum is the major player of motor functions of the body, as well as being involved in plenty of nonmotor behavior traits. There are numerous disorders related to cerebellum that have severe consequences for patients and the absence of an effective treatment, so it is crucial to emphasize conducting research directed to deeply understand the biology of this structure, giving special importance to stem cells that could have regenerative potential. Here, we describe a novel protocol for isolating neural stem cells from postnatal mouse cerebellum, allowing for the study of progenitor cells from three distinct proliferative niches. Cells are maintained in low-density cultures without external growth factors, facilitating the study of intrinsic programming. We also suggest numerous applications that could provide an insight into the identity, development, and behavior of progenitor cells, which may contribute to the development of treatments for cerebellar disorders.