Rapid differentiation of astrocytes from human embryonic stem cells.

Astrocytes are abundant cells in the brain and have vital roles in various brain functions that include biochemical support of endothelial cells, supplying nutrients to the nervous tissue, maintaining the extracellular ion balance, etc. In developing nervous tissue, the differentiation of astrocytes occurs later compared to neurons. It takes more time and more techniques to obtain mature and pure astrocytes in vitro.