Serum-Free Conditions and Cell Cycle Inhibition Promote Enrichment of GFAP+ Mature Astrocytes

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

JAX Location

NYSCF

Abstract

The objective of this study was to observe whether animal-derived serum impacted astrocyte differentiation and maturation as well as cellular structures linked to Parkinson’s disease. Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is a typical supplement to cell cultures with disadvantages such as varying composition, animal derivation, and its potential to induce reactive astrocytes. With a serum-free medium, we tested the wild-type KOLF line and a GBA KO line, as GBA mutations are linked to Parkinson’s disease. The findings indicate that compared to serum-containing conditions, serum-free conditions foster astrocyte maturation, by expanding the GFAP+ population, which is a marker of maturing astrocytes, yet it had inconclusive effects on Parkinson’s phenotypes. To corroborate these findings, additional testing and replicates should be incorporated to determine astrocyte functionality.

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