Say Goodbye to the Challenges of Primary Brain-Derived Cell Isolation

Isolating and culturing primary cells is a cornerstone of life science research, offering a more accurate representation of the physiological state of cells in vivo. To help researchers overcome the technical challenges of primary cell isolation, Pricella® has developed a series of high-efficiency, easy-to-use isolation kits covering six major tissue types: brain, vascular, liver, cartilage, bone marrow, and heart. These kits are designed to deliver high-purity, high-viability cells quickly and consistently.

In this edition of Cell Culture Academy, we spotlight the Brain-Derived Cell Isolation Kits—detailing their key features, typical applications, and practical tips. Whether you're working with neurons, astrocyte cells, or other brain-derived cells, these kits will help simplify your workflow and accelerate your research.

Ⅰ  Five Key Brain-Derived Cell Types and Their Research Applications

Brain tissue is composed of diverse functional cell types that work together to regulate neural activity and maintain cerebral homeostasis. Among these, five commonly studied brain-derived cell types play critical roles in neurological research:

1. Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells

These cells form the core structure of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), characterized by tight junctions that effectively restrict the entry of exogenous substances into the central nervous system. They are widely used in BBB modeling, drug permeability assessment, and the study of brain-targeted drug delivery mechanisms.

2. Brain Microvascular Pericytes

Located along the outer surface of brain capillaries, pericytes contribute to vascular stability and play a regulatory role in maintaining BBB integrity. They serve as key cellular models in research involving the neurovascular unit, cerebral ischemia, and neuroinflammatory responses.

3. Neural Stem Cells

Neural stem cells possess the capacity for self-renewal and multipotent differentiation, giving rise to neurons, astrocyte cells, and oligodendrocytes. They are broadly utilized in studies of neurodevelopment, neural regeneration, and stem cell-based therapeutic strategies.

4. Cortex Neuron Cells

As the primary functional units of the cerebral cortex, cortex neuron cells are involved in sensory perception, signal transmission, and information integration. With their complex synaptic architecture, they are widely applied in research on synaptic plasticity, neural signaling, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

5. Astrocytes

Astrocytes are the most abundant type of glial cells in the central nervous system. They play essential roles in maintaining neuronal homeostasis, regulating synaptic function, and participating in neuroinflammatory responses. These cells are commonly used in studies of glioma progression, neuroimmune interactions, and neuronal metabolic support.

Ⅱ  Pricella® Brain-Derived Primary Cell Isolation Kits

Product Catalog

Kit Components and Brief Description of Their Functions

• Washing Solution

Used for initial washing of cerebral cortex tissue to effectively protect tissue structure and maintain cell viability. It also has antibacterial properties to reduce contamination risk.

• Digestive Solution A & B

Digestive Solution A: Used for preliminary digestion and loosening of cerebral cortex tissue, providing the foundation for subsequent deep tissue dissociation.

Digestive Solution B: Further breaks down the tissue to release single cells and intact microvascular segments, facilitating the isolation of brain microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes.

• Isolation Solution

Optimizes the cell separation process, significantly improving the purity of target cells in the post-digestion suspension.

• Basic Culture Medium and Supplement

Provide essential nutrients to support cell survival and proliferation, while selectively favoring the growth of specific neural cell types.

• Planting Solution

Promotes rapid cell adhesion, enhancing the efficiency of cell culture.

• Screening Solution

Used for preliminary screening and enrichment of cell types, increasing the yield and purity of desired brain-derived cells such as neurons, neural stem cells, and astrocyte cells.

• Cell Filter

Physically removes debris and undigested tissue clumps, producing a uniform single-cell suspension suitable for downstream applications.

Cell Images from Kit Isolation

	Mouse Brain Microvascular Pericytes (α-SMA)	Mouse Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (CD31)	Rat Astrocytes (GFAP)
Brightfield Image
IF Image

Cells isolated using the Pricella® Brain-Derived Primary Cell Isolation Kits exhibit high purity and viability, along with characteristic morphological features. These cells demonstrate stable conditions and robust adherence during culture, making them well-suited for downstream experimental applications with excellent reproducibility and consistency.

Ⅲ  Common Issues in Brain-Derived Cell Isolation and Culture

1. Low Cell Purity

• Low purity of cortex neuron cells

This is often caused by incomplete removal of the meninges or failure to add the Screening Solution at the recommended ratio and time. To improve neuron purity, ensure complete removal of the meninges and add the Screening Solution promptly according to the protocol.

• Low purity of brain microvascular pericytes and endothelial cells

Contamination may occur if the upper tissue layer or middle layer of the Separation Solution is not fully removed, or if pipette tips are not changed in time during the separation process. Always confirm clear phase separation after centrifugation, aspirate layer by layer from top to bottom, and replace pipette tips between each step to avoid cross-contamination.

2. Low Cell Yield / Viability

• Low cell yield

This can result from using animals at suboptimal ages or insufficient tissue digestion. Select appropriately aged animals, strictly control digestion time, and ensure that the Digestive Solutions are prepared and stored according to guidelines.

• Low cell viability

Usually caused by over-digestion. Perform gentle pipetting during digestion and terminate digestion promptly. During dissection, operate quickly and use the tissue immediately while keeping it cold to minimize cell damage.

3. Issues in Post-Isolation Cell Culture and Passaging

• Neural stem cells: irregular neurosphere formation or abnormal passaging

Irregular neurosphere formation often results from frequent movement of the culture vessel within the first 48 hours post-seeding. Keep the plate undisturbed for at least 48 hours before observation. For passaging, use the condition of the spheres as a guide—darkening at the center typically indicates readiness. Follow the user manual strictly during passaging to maintain viability and optimal culture conditions.

• Brain microvascular endothelial cells: passaging problems

Harsh dissociation reagents such as trypsin may damage surface proteins and reduce viability. Use a gentler enzymatic solution such as Accutase to preserve cellular function and maintain post-passage viability.

• Neurons: attachment and passaging issues

Neurons are terminally differentiated, fragile, and not easily passaged. It is generally recommended to seed them directly into the target cultureware based on experimental needs. If passaging is necessary, use Accutase with gentle handling and strictly follow the neuronal culture protocol to avoid damage and loss of viability.