Glia and Other Non-neuronal Cells
Glial cells and other non-neuronal cells support nervous system function. Glial cells are currently viewed as active partners of neurons in synapse formation. They promote neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, sensing nutrients and metabolic signal molecules crucial for neuronal survival and function, and critically mediating immune responses. Essentially, the function of glial cells is to maintain a homeostatic environment for neuronal circuits to work properly in response to various environmental alterations. These homeostatic regulations provide by the neuroglia range from systemic homeostasis involving bidirectional communications between the brain and the periphery and defensive homeostasis of surveilling the environment, clearing the damage to cellular and molecular homeostasis of establishing, and maintaining a proper neuronal network in response to developmental cues and environmental triggers.
Functions of Glia in Central Nervous System (CNS)
Types of Glia and Their Functions
- Astrocytes
- Myelinating Glia
Astrocytes are important in brain functions as diverse as ion and fluid balance in the interstitial space, contributing to the integrity of the neurovascular unit (blood-brain barrier), neurotransmitter regulation, metabolism of energy substrates, and possibly even axonal regeneration. Given their ubiquitous distribution and extensive network of processes, these cells are ideally suited for CNS-wide support of homeostatic mechanisms. Overall, it is becoming clear that astrocytes regulate CNS function from the molecular-microenvironment level (e.g., neurotransmitter turnover) to the physiologic level (e.g., brain states).
The myelinating glia has two different types: the oligodendrocytes in the CNS and the Schwann cells in the PNS. These two different types of glial cells share a similar function and are responsible for the production of myelin and myelinating the PNS and the CNS, respectively.
- Microglia
- Ependymal Cells
Microglia are of monocyte origin and fill a role as immune effector cells in the CNS. Microglia can regulate neuronal survival and have multiple parts in refining CNS formation and function. Microglia have been involved in phagocytosing cellular and myelin components and implicated in synapse formation. In addition, microglia have key roles in regulating the development and responses of other cells; finally, microglia direct endothelial cells to increase brain vascular complexity.
Ependymal cells are relatively abundant and are involved in the connection between the CSF and nervous tissue. The ependyma detoxifies various substances in the CSF as a protective barrier between the brain and the CSF. The ependyma is also a source of NSCs, which can differentiate into neurons and glial cells. In inflammation or ventricular dilation, ependymal cells can combine with subependymal astrocytes to form ependymal granulations.
Creative Biolabs provides a wide range of leading technologies and products in the neuroscience research field. We have a full line of high-quality products such as antibodies, proteins, cell lines, cell culture tools, and modulators; our customized services cover every aspect of the neuroscience field for your tailored needs. Should there be specific needs, please do not hesitate to contact us to know what we can help with.

- iNeuMab™ Mouse Anti-EFNB2 Monoclonal Antibody (CBP1159) (Cat#: NAB-0720-Z4396)
- iNeuMab™ Anti-F-Spondin/SPON1 Antibody, Clone 3F4 (Cat#: NRZP-0822-ZP4740)
- Mouse Anti-Human α-Synuclein Phospho (Tyr39) (CBP3706) (Cat#: NAB201250LS)
- iNeuMab™ Rabbit Anti-Alpha-synuclein (CBP1631) (Cat#: NAB-08-PZ079)
- Mouse Anti-SCN5A Monoclonal Antibody (CBP708) (Cat#: NAB-0720-Z2720)
- iNeuMab™ Rabbit Anti-LRRK2 Monoclonal Antibody (CBP1887) (Cat#: NAB-08-PZ735)
- iNeuMab™ Mouse Anti-SHANK3 Monoclonal Antibody (CBP929) (Cat#: NAB-0720-Z3477)
- iNeuMab™ Mouse Anti-LRP1 Monoclonal Antibody (CBP3363) (Cat#: NAB-0720-Z6479)
- Mouse Microglia Cell Line BV-2, Immortalized (Cat#: NCL2110P153)
- Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (Cat#: NCL-2103-P133)
- Human Glial (Oligodendrocytic) Hybrid Cell Line (MO3.13) (Cat#: NCL-2108P34)
- Mouse Glioma Cell Line GL-261-Luc (Cat#: NCL-2108P06)
- Rat Olfactory Ensheathing Cells (Cat#: NRZP-1122-ZP162)
- Mouse Microglia from C57BL/6 (Cat#: NCL-21P6-082)
- Mouse Microglia N9 (Cat#: NCL2110P073)
- Human Brain Vascular Adventitial Fibroblasts (Cat#: NCL-21P6-014)
- Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (Cat#: NRZP-1122-ZP113)
- Rat Muller Cell (Cat#: NCL2110P040)
- Beta Amyloid (1-40), Aggregation Kit (Cat#: NRZP-0323-ZP199)
- Human Poly ADP ribose polymerase,PARP Assay Kit (Cat#: NRZP-1122-ZP62)
- Amyloid beta 1-42 Kit (Cat#: NRP-0322-P2170)
- Human GFAP ELISA Kit [Colorimetric] (Cat#: NPP2011ZP383)
- Human Tau Aggregation Kit (Cat#: NRP-0322-P2173)
- Alpha Synuclein Aggregation Kit (Cat#: NRZP-1122-ZP15)
- Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation Assay Kit (Cat#: NRZP-1122-ZP37)
- Beta Amyloid (1-42), Aggregation Kit (Cat#: NRZP-0323-ZP200)
- AAV2 Full Capsids, Reference Standards (Cat#: NTC2101070CR)
- Dextran, NHS Activated (Cat#: NRZP-0722-ZP124)
- VSV-eGFP (Cat#: NTA-2011-ZP20)
- Mouse SOD1 shRNA Silencing Adenovirus (Cat#: NV-2106-P14)
- ABCA1 Antisense Oligonucleotide (NV-2106-P27) (Cat#: NV-2106-P27)
- Human superoxide dismutase 3, extracellular (SOD3) (NM_003102) ORF clone, Untagged (Cat#: NEP-0521-R0808)
- Tau Antisense Oligonucleotide (IONIS-MAPTRx) (Cat#: NV-2106-P29)
- Rat Parkinson disease (autosomal recessive, juvenile) 2, parkin (Park2) (NM_020093) ORF clone/lentiviral particle, Myc-DDK Tagged (Cat#: NEP-0621-R0041)
- Human presenilin 1 (PSEN1), transcript variant 2 (NM_007318) ORF clone, TurboGFP Tagged (Cat#: NEP-0421-R0140)
- Lenti of Human TAR DNA binding protein (TARDBP) (NM_007375) ORF clone, mGFP Tagged (Cat#: NEP-0521-R0832)
- Human huntingtin (HTT) (NM_002111) ORF clone, Myc-DDK Tagged (Cat#: NEP-0521-R0497)
- Human superoxide dismutase 1, soluble (SOD1) (NM_000454) ORF clone, TurboGFP Tagged (Cat#: NEP-0521-R0748)
- Mouse Parkinson disease (autosomal recessive, early onset) 7 (Park7) (NM_020569) clone, Untagged (Cat#: NEP-0621-R0133)
- NeuroBiologics™ Monkey Cerebrospinal Fluid (Cat#: NRZP-0822-ZP495)
- NeuroBiologics™ Pig Cerebrospinal Fluid (Cat#: NRZP-0822-ZP498)
- NeuroBiologics™ Rat Cerebrospinal Fluid (Cat#: NRZP-0822-ZP496)
- NeuroBiologics™ Human Cerebrospinal Fluid (Cat#: NRZP-0822-ZP491)
- NeuroBiologics™ Mouse Cerebrospinal Fluid (Cat#: NRZP-0822-ZP497)
- NeuroPro™ Anti-TNFR BBB Shuttle Protein (Cat#: NRZP-0423-ZP510)
- NeuroPro™ Anti-IDUA BBB Shuttle Protein (Cat#: NRZP-0423-ZP498)
- NeuroPro™ Anti-SGSH BBB Shuttle Protein (Cat#: NRZP-0423-ZP505)
- NeuroPro™ Anti-IDUA BBB Shuttle Protein (Cat#: NRZP-0423-ZP502)
- NeuroPro™ Anti-PON1 BBB Shuttle Protein (Cat#: NRZP-0423-ZP507)
- NeuroPro™ Anti-Erythropoietin BBB Shuttle Protein (Cat#: NRZP-0423-ZP499)
- NeuroPro™ Anti-GDNF BBB Shuttle Protein (Cat#: NRZP-0423-ZP509)
- NeuroPro™ Anti-idursulfase BBB Shuttle Protein (Cat#: NRZP-0423-ZP497)
- NeuroPro™ Anti-ASA BBB Shuttle Protein (Cat#: NRZP-0423-ZP504)
- NeuroPro™ Anti-TNFR BBB Shuttle Protein (Cat#: NRZP-0423-ZP501)