Friday, March 26, 2010

Potent Neuron-Glial Markers

We are recognized for having top shelf Neuron/Glial Marker Antibodies. We have an extensive catalog and have customer referencing use of these in a variety of applications, species and cell types.

Cell types include neural progenitors, neurons, glia, astrocytes, schwann cells and more. We are pleased to provide present a new publication referencing use of our MAP2 (Microtubule assoc. protein 2) Antibody for immunostaining of E17 primary mouse astrocytes.

Shelley Jacobs and Laurie C. Doering. Astrocytes Prevent Abnormal Neuronal Development in the Fragile X Mouse
. J. Neurosci., Mar 2010; 30: 4508 - 4514 ; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5027-09.2010.

After 7 d in vitro (DIV), the cells were fixed with ice-cold (–20°C) methanol and processed for immunocytochemistry. After the appropriate serum block, the cells were incubated with primary antibodies overnight at 4°C. Secondary antibodies were applied for 3 h at room temperature. The following antibody, diluted in 1% BSA, was used: chicken microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) (1:20,000; Neuromics) and anti-chicken FITC (1:100; Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories). Coverslips were mounted with Vectashield fluorescent mounting medium with 4`,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI).

Images: Effects of astrocytes on the growth of hippocampal neurons in coculture at 7 DIV. E17 primary hippocampal neurons were cocultured with P0–P1 primary cortical astrocytes for 7 DIV in each of four coculture conditions. a, Immunofluorescent images of neurons in each of the four culture combinations. Neurons are stained with an antibody directed against the neuronal dendritic marker, MAP2. Scale bar, 100 µm. b, Quantification of percentage of surviving neurons at 7 DIV in each of the four culture conditions. Data shown are mean values ± SEM from two or three independent experiments (10–15 regions of 1.5 mm2 from 2 coverslips per experiment). Significant differences revealed by post hoc Tukey's tests are indicated (p less than 0.001).

Related Reagents


Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Primary Hypothalamic Neurons Cultures

Our customers have had great success dissociating and culturing our Fresh E18 and E20Rat Primary Neuronal Tissue. They have proven useful for a variety of cell based assays.

Here're several publications referencing use of the neurons:

  • Lisette T. Arnaud, Natura Myeku and Maria E. Figueiredo-Pereira. Proteasome–caspase–cathepsin sequence leading to tau pathology induced by prostaglandin J2 in neuronal cells. Journal of Neurochemistry. Volume 110 Issue 1, Pages 328 - 342 .
  • Karunya K. Kandimalla1, Olenych G. Scott, Smita Fulzele1, Michael W. Davidson, Joseph F. Poduslo. Mechanism of Neuronal versus Endothelial Cell Uptake of Alzheimer's Disease Amyloid β Protein. PLoS ONE 4(2): e4627. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0004627.

    The most challenging of our neurons to culture are from the microdissect E18 rat Hypothalamus. Big Kudos to Dr. Dan Ryder for his excellent job culturing them. He also generously shared these images: (A) 5X1 (B) 40X5 Brightfield.

  • Related Reagents:
    STEMEZ(TM) hN2 Human Neurons Discovery Kit
    Frozen Primary Rat Cortical Neurons

    E18 Rat Primary Neuronal Tissue - ASTROCYTE CULTURES

    Neuron/Glial Marker Antibodies

    Neurotrophins-Neuron/Glial Marker Recombinant Proteins

    Thursday, March 18, 2010

    New Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

    Neuromics' is responding to growing demand for Stem Cell Research Reagents.

    This includes the addition of human stem cells giving researchers the ability to create consistent cultures of primary cells. Our first offering was STEMEZ TM hNP1 Human Neural Progenitors. We have received positive feedback on these regarding ease of use and quality.

    We are pleased to announce the addition of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

    Image: Pancreas-derived human mesenchymal stem cells labeled with a CD44 monoclonal antibody conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), which detects the CD44 cell surface protein.

    They are isolated from human adult pancreas and can be induced to differentiate into beta-cells, which is a significant product in the diabetes research area. MSCs to Beta Cells Protocol.

    This is extremely important due to the low yield of islets from patients/donors. These cells could be a functional equivalent to normal beta-cells and could restore proper endocrine function to the pancreas.

    In addition, protocols are available to differentiate these cells into osteocytes, adipocytes, chondrocytes and hepatocytes.

    We will keep you posted on customer results with this important new product.

    Saturday, March 13, 2010

    Neuropeptides and Large Dense Core Vesicles

    We continue to be recognized by for the quantity and quality of our Neuropeptide and Neuropeptide Receptor Antibodies for studying Neurotransmission and Pain.

    We wanted to feature an new article referencing use of our Guinea Pig Substance Antibody. Dr. Richard Mains and his team shed light on the function and behavior of large dense core
    vesicles (LDCVs) concluding that under basal conditions, LDCVs move faster away from the soma than toward the soma, but fewer LDCVs travel anterograde than retrograde. Stimulation decreased average anterograde velocity and increases granule pausing. Data from antibody uptake, quantification of enzyme secretion and appearance of pHluorin fluorescence demonstrate distributed release of peptides all along the axon, not just at terminals.
    Jacqueline A Sobota , William A Mohler , Ann E Cowan , Betty A Eipper and Richard E Mains.
    Dynamics of peptidergic secretory granule transport are regulated by neuronal stimulation. BMC Neuroscience 2010, 11:32doi:10.1186/1471-2202-11-32.

    Image: Sustance P staining of trigeminal ganglia from P3-P5 rat pups-note this pub features some of the best IHC staining we have seen.

    Related Products and Product Categories:
    Substance P-Pure

    Substance-P-Mouse Monoclonal

    Neurokinin-1 (NK 1) Receptor

    Neurokinin-1 (NK 1) Human Receptor

    Neurokinin-3 (NK 3) Receptor

    proNeurokinin B (proNKB or P2)

    Neurotransmission Research Antibodies

    Neuropeptide and Neuropeptide Receptor Antibodies

    Pain and Inflammation Antibodies

    Diabetes and Obesity Antibodies

    Primary Neurons and Astrocytes
    - Primary human, rat and mouse neurons and astrocytes.

    Saturday, March 06, 2010

    Vitamin A and Hirschsprung Disease

    Dr Robert O. Heuckeroth and his team at Washington University have been a long time user of Neuromics' Neurotrophins and Growth Factor and Neuropeptide and Neuropeptide Receptor Antibodies.

    This has resulted in our monitoring his work on Enteric Nervous System (ENS) Development andHirschsprung Disease. We are pleased to present the most recent article referencing use of our Ret Antibody. In this study, he and his team find a link between Vitamin A and the disease. This suggests that some cases of Hirschsprung disease might be preventable by optimizing maternal nutrition.