Human Primary Cells Trifecta

Tri-culture of Neuromics' Human Primary Cells in 3-D BBB Model

I mentioned in an earlier post that we take Researchers questioning the validity of our Human Primary Cells very seriously. We follow up with our clients to make sure our cells are working as expected. If they are not 100% happy, we offer a free replacement or full refund.

...So it is encouraging to see Researchers using our Human Pericytes,  Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HBMES) and Astrocytes to build a static 3-D Blood-Brain Barrier Model.

Ece Bayir, M. Mert Celtikoglu, Aylin Sendemira. The use of bacterial cellulose as a basement membrane improves the plausibility of the static in vitro blood-brain barrier model. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.12.257.

Image: Pericytes, HBMECS, and Astrocytes 5 days after culturing. Live cells (green) and dead cells (red).

The investigators concluded, "Caffeine and sucrose permeability values obtained from all models were close to literature data and physiological values."

Primary Human Brain Pericytes

Pure and Potent
The authors of a chapter on pericytes published in SpringerLink referred to our human primary pericytes as "pericyte-like", but chose not to characterize them because of the "exorbitant cost". Dore-Duffy P., Esen N. (2018) The Microvascular Pericyte: Approaches to Isolation, Characterization, and Cultivation. In: Birbrair A. (eds) Pericyte Biology - Novel Concepts. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1109. Springer, Cham

Given that these pericytes are also part of our hot selling 3-D Human BBB Model, we are in the process of challenging these claims. We will always take inaccurate claims regarding our solutions seriously, and we take immediate action.

• Characterization of cells-we validated several key markers by immunofluorescence.

Staining of Desmin (dilution 1:100). Secondary antibody conjugated to Alexa 594 (red) and counterstained with DAPI (blue). Cells were mounted using iBrite mounting media.

Staining of Actin (dilution 25 ug/mL). Secondary antibody conjugated to Alexa 594 (red) and counterstained with DAPI (blue). Cells were mounted using iBrite mounting media.

We also plan on doing a phenotypic analysis of these cells and will post here when completed.

• Cost of cells-isolating pericytes from human donors, and expanding to the required number of cells involves much time and effort. We know! Further differentiating stem cells into pericytes is hard and time-consuming. Against this backdrop, we consider our pricing to be inexpensive. Though they are more difficult to derive, they are priced equivalently with our other human primary cells ($789/500,000 USD Cells).

As always, we will post new data here.

Neuromics' BBB Model and Permeability Assays

Crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier
Our BBB Model is being increasingly used by Bio-Pharma for drug permeability studies. Customers include Amgen, Genentech, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Merck.

These assays are key for making sure molecules/compounds of interest will cross the barrier into the brain and at what rate. This data, in part, add clarity on best candidates to move into in-vivo testing.

Human Blood Brain Barrier Model	3D45002	12 well
Human Blood Brain Barrier Model	3D45002	24 well
Human Blood Brain Barrier Model	3D45002	6 wells

I you have interest in using our models, Rose Ludescher, Manager of Customer Satisfaction, can provide information aligned with your assay requiremenst. rose@neuromics.com or 1-866-350-1500.

3-D BBB Penetration Assays

Making 2017 the Year of Tissue-Like, 3-D Models

There is growing interest in our 3-D BBB Model for testing penetration of compounds, small molecules, peptides and oligos through the BBB into our tissue like brain side.

 I would like to present related data:

We plan on adding a pancreatic model in January so stay tuned.

Neuromics Cornerstone

Human Primary + Stem Cells and 3-D Tissue Like Models

We are pleased by growing demand for our "hard to find" primary cells and 3-D BBB model. These are proving to be engines for drug discovery and toxicology assays.

We have have the capabilities isolate cells from healthy human donors. We then grow and characterize the cells and cryo-preserve in vials of 500,000 cells. They are now ready to culture.

We are increasingly determining types of cells to add to our growing catalog by meeting the specific demand of our clients. For example, our addition of primary human schwann cells and microglia happened, because they were needed for a specific client study.

Human Schwann Cells

Our 3-D Blood Brain Barrier Model is also working well in the hands of our clients. We are receiving positive input and this is supported by repeat orders. It is designed for users to test the ability of compounds, molecules and oligos to pass the BBB and penetrate into the brain.

Our cornerstone: hard to find human primary/stem cells + 3-D tissue like assays.

We can say, "Need cells or 3-D tissue like models?  Just ask us!". Pete Shuster, CEO and Owner-direct phone: 612-801-1007 or pshuster@neuromics.com

Human Astrocytes

Cortex Derived Astrocytes

Neuromics is pleased to be offering yet another option for culturing Human Astrocytes. They can be passaged up to 10X-Only 749 USD/500,000 Cells

They are deigned to be easy to culture and grow.

 Image: Human Brain Astrocytes cultured with our AlphaBioCoat.

Check out our large offering of Neurons, Astroglia, Progenitors, Brain Endothelial Cells/Pericytes and Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) Model. Should you have questions on these or any of our offerings, I can be reached directly at 612-801-1007 or pshuster@neuromics.com. Thank you, Pete Shuster-CEO and Owner.

Check Out Our 3D Human Skin Tissue Model

In vivo Like Model for Studying Skin Diseases/Irritants

I am pleased to announce this new addition to our Cell Based Assay offerings.

3D Human Skin Tissue Model

Cross section of Human Skin Model

The model includes precultured tissue in our engineered and tissue/cell specific Collagel-Hydrogels.

Our 3D human skin model is manufactured in a GMP lab. The model is engineered from multilayered, differentiated epidermal cells. The tissue is provided cultured in inserts using serum free media. The model mimics human skin. It provides an in vivo like environment for studying dermal related diseases and cancers. It is also excellent for skin toxicology and irritancy assays.

Check all our  3D Models:

Name	Applications	Size	Price
Human Blood Brain Barrier Model	In vivo Like Assays	6 wells 12 well 24 well	$1,780 $2,600 $3,625
3D HUVEC Model	In vivo Like Assays	6 well 12 well 24 Well	$1,269 $1,399 $1,539
3-D Human Skin Tissue Model	In vivo Like Assays	6 well 12 well 24 Well	$1,269 $1,399 $1,539

Questions? Contact me directly-Pete Shuster, CEO and Owner, 612-801-1007 or pshuster@neuromics.com.

3-D Cell Based Assays Are Evolving

3-D Multicell Models and Gels

There is a growing body of publications of why 3-D matters in drug discovery and toxicology assays. This table shows important distinctions for single cell assays.

Cellular characteristics	2D	3D	Refs.
Morphology	Sheet-like flat and stretched cells in monolayer	Natural shape in spheroid/aggregate structures	20,24,50
Proliferation	Often proliferate at a faster rate than in vivo	May proliferate at a faster/slower rate compared to 2D-cultured cells depending on cell type and/or type of 3D model system	17,51
Exposure to medium/drugs	Cells in monolayer are equally exposed to nutrients/growth factors/drugs that are distributed in growth medium	Nutrients and growth factors or drugs may not be able to fully penetrate the spheroid, reaching cells near the core	24,52
Stage of cell cycle	More cells are likely to be in the same stage of cell cycle due to being equally exposed to medium	Spheroids contain proliferating, quiescent, hypoxic and necrotic cells	18,24,53
Gene/protein expression	Often display differential gene and protein expression levels compared to in vivo models	Cells often exhibit gene/protein expression profiles more similar to those in vivo tissue origins	17,40,54
Drug sensitivity	Cells often succumb to treatment and drugs appear to be very effective	Cells are often more resistant to treatment compared to those in 2D culture system, often being better predictors of in vivo drug responses	17,33

Table: Key Differences in Cellular Characteristics and Processes in Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Culture Systems

Assay Drug Dev Technol. 2014 May 1; 12(4): 207–218.

doi:  10.1089/adt.2014.573

From the table, we see, for the most part, the overall advantages of cells in 3-D for generating more in vivo like data. We also see potential issues like: "Nutrients and growth factors or drugs may not be able to fully penetrate the spheroid, reaching cells near the core".  

We have resolved penetration issues with our engineered Collagel Hydrogels. We have further enhanced the assays by including multicell assays that even more closely mimic the in vivo environment.

Our Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) Model, for example, includes our:

• Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells
• Human Brain Microvascular Pericytes (HBMVPCs)
• Human Brain Astrocytes (HBA)

These cells are pre-cultured in the engineered gels and cost a fraction of the individual components (see: culturing and assay protocol).

Name	Catalog #			Size	Price
Human Blood Brain Barrier Model	3D45002-6			6 wells 12 well 24 well	$1,780 $2,600 $3,625

Our intention is for you to generate the most in vivo like data possible.