Apoptosis Signaling-Visualization and Measurement.

Apoptosis-Oxidative Stress Research Reagents are widely used and frequently referenced in customer publications. We work hard to keep our fingers on the pulse of how they are utilized across the many research areas important to our customers and add new reagents based on evolving requirements.

I recently posted publications referencing our MitoPT^TM Kits for quantitating Tumor Apoptosis

New Pub referencing Polycaspase Assay Kit, green: L. Wei, D. Ding and R. Salvi. Salicylate-induced degeneration of cochlea spiral ganglion neurons-apoptosis signaling.
doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.03.015.

Images: Typical confocal photomicrographs of SGN stained with Polycaspase Assay Kit (green) and with an antibody against neuronal III ß-tubulin (red) to identify SGN. (A) In control cultures, most SGN have large, oval shaped soma and neurites extending from the soma; note absence of polycaspase labeling (green). (B) SGN treated for 3 h with 5 mM SS; polycaspase labeling was present on SGN with shrunken soma. For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.

Related Reagents:

Polycaspase Assay Kit, green

Magic Red™ Real Time! Kits -Measure apoptosis in
whole living, intact cells - no lysis required

FLIVO™ Polycaspase Live!, in vivo Apoptosis Kits-New
-Designed for cancer and neurodegenerative disease applications.

FLICA™ in vitro Caspase Kits -Fast!-Use Caspase
kits to quantitate apoptosis via active caspases in whole, living
cells. These kits do not use ELISA or any antibodies for detection

FLISP™ Serine Protease Detection Kits -Measure
chymotrypsin-like protease activation in whole living cells.

MitoPT™ Kits -Quantitate mitochondrial
functionality and apoptosis

Angiogensis and CD antigens

We consider everything genesis as a core focus area. This includes embryogenesis, angiogenesis, neurogenesis and stem cell expansion and differentiation. This is important because there is an intersection between reagents and methods for studying embryo development and genesis pathways in "adult systems".

CD antigens serve as markers for growth and development. We are always on the look out for Customer Publications that reference use of these reagents in related applications. Here's one that just pinged our radar.

Karim Harhouri, Abdeldjalil Kebir, Benjamin Guillet, Alexandrine Foucault-Bertaud, Serge Voytenko, Marie-Dominique Piercecchi-Marti, Caroline Berenguer, Edouard Lamy, Frédéric Vely, Pascale Pisano, L'Houcine Ouafik, Florence Sabatier, José Sampol, Nathalie Bardin, Françoise Dignat-George, and Marcel Blot-Chabaud Soluble CD146 displays angiogenic properties and promotes neovascularization in experimental hind-limb ischemia. Blood, May 2010; 115: 3843 - 3851
Anti-rat antibodies used in this study are: anti-CD117 (Neuromics) and anti-CD146

Abstract: CD146, an endothelial molecule involved in permeability and monocyte transmigration, has recently been reported to promote vessel growth. As CD146 is also detectable as a soluble form (sCD146), we hypothesized that sCD146 could stimulate angiogenesis. Experiments of Matrigel plugs in vivo showed that sCD146 displayed chemotactic activity on endogenous endothelial cells, and exogenously injected late endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Recruited endothelial cells participated in formation of vascular-like structures. In vitro, sCD146 enhanced angiogenic properties of EPCs, with an increased cell migration, proliferation, and capacity to establish capillary-like structures. Effects were additive with those of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and sCD146 enhanced VEGFR2 expression and VEGF secretion. Consistent with a proangiogenic role, gene expression profiling of sCD146-stimulated EPCs revealed an up-regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, urokinase plasminogen activator, matrix metalloproteinase 2, and VEGFR2. Silencing membrane-bound CD146 inhibited responses. The potential therapeutic interest of sCD146 was tested in a model of hind limb ischemia. Local injections of sCD146 significantly reduced auto-amputation, tissue necrosis, fibrosis, inflammation, and increased blood flow. Together, these findings establish that sCD146 displays chemotactic and angiogenic properties and promotes efficient neovascularization in vivo. Recombinant human sCD146 might thus support novel strategies for therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemic diseases

Image: c-KIT staining of rat skin (epidermis). c-KIT detection was done using anti-rabbit Cy3 conjugated antibodies (red color). DAPI was used to counterstain cell nuclei (blue color).Working dilution: 1:100-1:300.

Related Reagents:

• Immune Response Antibdodies


• Immune Response Proteins


• Cancer Research Antibodies


• Cancer Research Proteins


• Pain and Inflammation Research Antibodies


• Neurodegenerative Disease Antibodies


• Neurodegenerative Disease Proteins


• Apoptosis Research Reagents


• Stem Cell Research Reagents

TRPV1 Expression and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Dr Bret. Smith and his lab at Tulane have demontrated a link between Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) and VR1 N-Terminus (TRPV1) expression.

In this excellent study they showed an increase in expression in TLE mice vs controls.

Muthu D. Bhaskaran and Bret N. Smith. Effects of TRPV1 activation on synaptic excitation in the dentate gyrus of a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. doi:10.1016/j.expneurol.2010.01.021
...with polyclonal VR1 N-terminus (1:2500) (Neuromics, Edina)..

Abstract: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a condition characterized by an imbalance between excitation and inhibition in the temporal lobe. Hallmarks of this change are axon sprouting and accompanying synaptic reorganization in the temporal lobe. Synthetic and endogenous cannabinoids have variable therapeutic potential in treating intractable temporal lobe epilepsy, in part because cannabinoid ligands can bind multiple receptor types. This study utilized in vitro electrophysiological methods to examine the effect of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) activation in dentate gyrus granule cells in a murine model of TLE. Capsaicin, a selective TRPV1 agonist had no measurable effect on overall synaptic input to granule cells in control animals, but significantly enhanced spontaneous and miniature EPSC frequency in mice with TLE. Exogenous application of anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid that acts at both TRPV1 and cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1R), also enhanced glutamate release in the presence of a CB1R antagonist. Anandamide reduced the EPSC frequency when TRPV1 were blocked with capsazepine. Western blot analysis of TRPV1 receptor indicated protein expression was significantly greater in the dentate gyrus of mice with TLE compared with control mice. This study indicates that a prominent cannabinoid agonist can increase excitatory circuit activity in the synaptically reorganized dentate gyrus of mice with TLE by activating TRPV1 receptors, and suggests caution in designing anticonvulsant therapy based on modulating the endocannabinoid system.

Images: Western blot detection of TRPV1 receptor expression in the dentate gyrus. A. Diagram of dentate gyrus showing the microdissected area (box). B. Western blot showing TRPV1 receptor expression in two untreated mice and in two pilocarpine-treated mice that survived SE. Actin was used as the loading control which did not change significantly. C. Graph showing a significant (p less than 0.05; n=4) TRPV1 expression in epileptic mice.

Related Reagents:

TRPV (Vanilloid); TRPM; TRPA and TRPCs

Neurotransmission Research Antibodies-GPCRs, Ligand Gated Ion Channels, Biogenic Amines and more

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

MitoPT for Studying Tumor Apoptosis

We value our partnership with ICT. They provide our customers with potent and research proven Apoptosis Kits and Methods. Here we feature publications referencing our MitoPT™ Kits. These Kits easily assess changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential can correlate with cytochrome c release and the initiation of apoptosis.
A431 cells, treated with predetermined IC50
concentration of novel anticancer agents, fluoresce green and orange-red with MitoPT JC-1. Data courtesy of Zayas/ Carro, Universidad Metropolitana.
Anticancer Effects of Alpinia pricei Hayata Roots.
CL Hsu, YS Yu, GC Yen. J. Agric. Food Chem., Jan 2010, 58 (4), pp 2201–2208.

Anticancer Effects of Flavonoid Derivatives Isolated from Millettia
reticulata Benth in SK-Hep-1 Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.
SC Fang, CL Hsu, HT Lin, GC Yen. J. Agric. Food Chem., Jan 2010, 58
(2), pp 814–820.

Mechanisms of Apoptotic Effects Induced by Resveratrol,
Dibenzoylmethane, and Their Analogues on Human Lung Carcinoma Cells.
CJ Weng, YT Yang, CT Ho, GC Yen. J. Agric. Food Chem., Jun 2009; 57
(12), pp 5235–5243.

CFR1, 5-HT2AR and Anxiety Behavior

We have a potent offering of 5HT-Serotonin Antibodies. This is confirmed by our growing parade of customer publications referencing their use.

We are pleased to present a new publication referencing use of our 5HT (Serotonin) 2A Receptor Antibody. Dr. Stephen S G Ferguson and team have discovered a link between CFR1 and 5-HT2A Receptor expression:

Ana C Magalhaes,Kevin D Holmes,Lianne B Dale,Laetitia Comps-Agrar,Dennis Lee,Prem N Yadav, Linsay Drysdale, Michael O Poulter, Bryan L Roth, Jean-Philippe Pin, Hymie Anisman& Stephen S G Ferguson. CRF receptor 1 regulates anxiety behavior via sensitization of 5-HT2 receptor signaling. Nature Neuroscience. doi:10.1038/nn.2529. Published online11 April 2010.

Abstract: Stress and anxiety disorders are risk factors for depression and these behaviors are modulated by corticotrophin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRFR1) and serotonin receptor (5-HT2R). However, the potential behavioral and cellular interaction between these two receptors is unclear. We found that pre-administration of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) into the prefrontal cortex of mice enhanced 5-HT2R–mediated anxiety behaviors in response to 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine. In both heterologous cell cultures and mouse cortical neurons, activation of CRFR1 also enhanced 5-HT2 receptor–mediated inositol phosphate formation. CRFR1-mediated increases in 5-HT2R signaling were dependent on receptor internalization and receptor recycling via rapid recycling endosomes, resulting in increased expression of 5-HT2R on the cell surface. Sensitization of 5-HT2R signaling by CRFR1 required intact PDZ domain–binding motifs at the end of the C-terminal tails of both receptor types. These data suggest a mechanism by which CRF, a peptide known to be released by stress, enhances anxiety-related behavior via sensitization of 5-HT2R signaling.

Images: (a) Dose response curves for 5-HT–stimulated inositol phosphate formation in HEK 293 cells transfected with FLAG–5-HT2AR and HA-CRFR1 and pretreated with or without 500 nM CRF for 30 min in the presence of dominant-negative dynamin I-K44A. The dose response curves represent the mean ± s.e.m. for four independent experiments. (b,c) Representative laser-scanning confocal micrographs showing the distribution of FLAG-5-HT2AR and HA-CRFR1 (b) and FLAG-5-HT2CR and HA-CRFR1 (c) in HEK 293 cells labeled with FLAG and HA antibodies at 4 °C and then warmed to 37 °C for 30 min in the absence of agonist. (d) Representative laser-scanning confocal micrographs showing the distribution of FLAG–5-HT2AR and HA-CRFR1 labeled with FLAG and HA antibodies at 4 °C and warmed to 37 °C for 30 min in the absence of agonist. (e) Representative laser-scanning confocal micrographs showing the distribution of FLAG–5-HT2AR and HA-CRFR1 transfected into rat cortical neurons labeled with FLAG and HA antibodies at 4 °C and treated with 500 nM CRF and warmed to 37 °C for 30 min. (f) Representative laser-scanning confocal micrographs showing the distribution of FLAG–5-HT2AR and HA-β2AR transfected into HEK 293 cells labeled with FLAG and HA antibodies at 4 °C and treated with 100 μM isoproterenol and warmed to 37 °C for 30 min. Micrographs are representative images of multiple cells imaged on three independent occasions. Scale bars represent 10 μm.

Related Reagents:
All 5HT-Serotonin Antibodies
Neurotransmission Research Antiboodies
Primary Neurons and Astrocytes
-Primary human, rat and mouse neurons and astrocytes

More on Neuromics' Neuron Markers

I have multiple posts on the potency of our Neuron Markers. I am pleased to present yet another reference. This on features use of our Chicken Tyrosine Hydroxylase-TH antibody. It features staining of juxtaglomerular cells in the olfactory bulb of mice:

Hans-Ulrich Fried, U. Benjamin Kaupp and Frank Müller. Hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated channels are differentially expressed in juxtaglomerular cells in the olfactory bulb of mice. Cell Tissue Res. 2010 March; 339(3): 463–479. Published online 2010 February 6. doi: 10.1007/s00441-009-0904-9.

Image: TH antibody staining in ET-like cell populations within the Glomerulari (GL). Dilution 1:500

Related Reagents:

• TH-Mouse Monoclonal Catalog#: MO20001
• TH-Monoclonal-High Titer Catalog#:MO22941
• All Neuron-Glial Markers
• Neurodegenerative Disease Antibodies
• Stem Cell Research Reagents
• Primary Neurons and Astrocytes-Primary human, rat and mouse neurons and astrocytes

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

• Stem Cell Research Antibodies


• Stem Cell Research Reagents


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

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

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.

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.

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.

Ming Fu, Yoshiharu Sato, Ariel Lyons-Warren, Bin Zhang, Maureen A. Kane, Joseph L. Napoli, and Robert O. Heuckeroth Vitamin A facilitates enteric nervous system precursor migration by reducing Pten accumulation. Development, Feb 2010; 137: 631 - 640.

Featured Reagent:

• Ret

Related Reagents:

• Ret Biotinylated
• Ret (C-Terminus Fused)
• Ret-Fluorescein Labeled
• Ret-Allophycocyanin Labeled
• Ret-Phycoerythrin Labeled
• Neurotrophins and Growth Factor Antibodies
• Neurotrophins-Neuron/Glial Marker Recombinant Proteins
• Neuron/Glial Markers
• Stem Cell Research Reagents

Making Gains on Pain Research

Neuromics' Pain Research Customers continue to make gains using our Pain and Inflammation Research Antibodies and Transfection Kits. Here are the latest pubs:

Hua Zhang and A. S. Verkman. Aquaporin-1 Tunes Pain Perception by Interaction with Nav1.8 Na+ Channels in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons. February 19, 2010 The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 285, 5896-5906.

...chicken anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP; 1:500, Neuromics, Edina, MN)...

Nathaniel A. Sowa, Bonnie Taylor-Blake, and Mark J. Zylka. Ecto-5'-Nucleotidase (CD73) Inhibits Nociception by Hydrolyzing AMP to Adenosine in Nociceptive Circuits. The Journal of Neuroscience, February 10, 2010, 30(6):2235-2244; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5324-09.2010.

...rabbit anti-P2X3-RA10109, Neuromics; 1:750), rabbit anti- VR1 C-Terminus (TRPV1) - mouse specific (RA14113, Neuromics; 1:750

Images: Images: Confocal images showing the effect of RTX on mu opioid receptor and TRPV1 immunoreactive DRG neurons and afferent terminals in the spinal cord. A: representative confocal images showing mu opioid receptor (green) and TRPV1 (red) immunoreactivities in DRG neurons of one vehicle- and one RTX-treated rat. Scale bar, 40 um. B: confocal images showing mu opioid receptor (green) and TRPV1 (red) immunoreactivities in afferent terminals in the spinal dorsal horn of 1 vehicle- and 1 RTX-treated rat. Scale bar, 80 um. Inset: high-magnification images (scale bar = 5 um) showing co-localization of mu opioid receptor and TRPV1 immunoreactivity in the lamina I. Co-localization of the mu opioid receptor and TRPV1 immunoreactivity is indicated in yellow when 2 images are digitally merged. All images are single confocal optical sections. Shao-Rui Chen and Hui-Lin Pan. Loss of TRPV1-Expressing Sensory Neurons Reduces Spinal mu-Opioid Receptors But Paradoxically Potentiates Opioid Analgesia. doi:10.1152/jn.01343.2005.

Neuromics' i-Fect ™ siRNA Transfection Reagent continues to be used a tool for studying expression of genes suspected to paly a role in pain . Expression studies include: DOR , The β3 subunit of the Na+,K+-ATPase, rSNSR1, NTS1. NAV1.8, Ca_V1.2 and more.

Here's a link to all transfection publications: Transfection Kit Pubs

Related Reagents:

Neurotransmission Research Antibodies-GPCRs, Ligand Gated Ion Channels, Biogenic Amines and more Opioid Neuropeptides

Purinergic Receptors Primary Neurons and Astrocytes- Primary human, rat and mouse neurons and astrocytes by Category

Opioid Receptors TRPV (Vanilloid); TRPM; TRPA and TRPCs

Turning Placenta Into Brain

We are pleased to feature a recent publication featuring:

C. Bettina Portmann-Lanz PhD, Andreina Schoeberlein PhD, Reto Portmann PhD, Stefan Mohr MD, Pierre Rollini PhD, Ruth Sager1 and Daniel V. Surbek MD. Turning placenta into brain: placental mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into neurons and oligodendrocytes. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2009.10.893... β-Tubulin III (Tuj-1), Mouse, Neuromics...

The researchers successfully induced neural stem (NSC) and progenitor cells (NPC) from human placental tissues.

Here are the highlights:

Study Design
Placental stem cells from first-trimester placental chorionic villi and term chorion were isolated. Neural differentiation was initiated with plating on collagen, retinoic acid, and/or human brain-derived neurotrophic factor and epidermal and fibroblast growth factor. Differentiation into neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes was monitored by immunohistochemistry. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, high-performance liquid chromatography, and tandem mass spectrometry were used to identify proteins involved in the differentiation.

Results
Differentiated cells were mostly immediately postmitotic with some more but not fully mature postmitotic neurons. Neurons had dopaminergic or serotonergic character. Some cells differentiated into predominantly immature oligodendrocytes. Upon differentiation, neuron-specific proteins were up-regulated, whereas placental proteins were reduced.

Conclusion
Stem cells derived from human placenta can be differentiated into neural progenitors.

Featured Antibody
Tuj 1 (Neuron-specific class III beta-tubulin)-Mouse

Related Reagents:
NSE (Neuron-Specific Enolase)

Nestin

Musashi-1

Neuron/Glial Markers

Stem Cell Research Reagents

Nucleostemin-Stem Cell Marker

Our Nucleostemin Antibody has proven a versatile Stem Cell Marker.

Researchers have referenced use of this antibody as a marker for Neural Progenitors and Muscle-Derived Stem Cells. In the most recent of our Nucleostemin Publications, Dr James Wang (University of Pittsburgh) references using the antibody for staining Tendon Progenitors/Stem Cells (TSCs):

Jianying Zhang and James H-C. Wang. Characterization of differential properties of rabbit tendon stem cells and tenocytes. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2010, 11:10doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-10.
...The staining protocol used goat anti-human Nucleostemin Antibody (1:300; Neuromics, Cat. No. GT15050) and Cy3-conjugated donkey anti-goat IgG secondary antibody...

Image: Achilles Tendon Stem Cells (ATSCs) expressed nucleostemin. Insets show enlarged view of expressed nucleostemin in pink (bar: 50 μm).

Related Reagents:
Stem Cell Markers
All Stem Cell Research Reagents
Primary Neurons and Astrocytes-Primary human, rat and mouse neurons and astrocytes

i-Brite Plus!

We are all for reagents that brighten your day.

i-BRITE Plus is a glycerol based liquid. It can be used to stain cells and can be easily added to wells. It also will not shrink tissue. In addition standard to IHC/IF applications, it can be used to visualize GFP transfections and more.

Here's a publication referencing it: Ajay S. Yekkirala, Alexander E. Kalyuzhny and Philip S. Portoghese. Standard Opioid Agonists Activate Heteromeric Opioid Receptors: Evidence for Morphine and [d-Ala2-MePhe4-Glyol5]Enkephalin as Selective μ−δ Agonists. ACS Chem. Neurosci., Article ASAP DOI: 10.1021/cn9000236. Publication Date (Web): November 25, 2009. Copyright © 2009 American Chemical Society.


After that cells were washed in PBS (3 × 15 min), counterstained with DAPI and mounted under coverslips with antifade mounting media iBright Plus (cat. no. SF40000-10; Neuromics, Inc.). Images of labeled cells were collected using Olympus FluoView1000 confocal microscope.
Images: High-magnification confocal images of double-labeling immunofluorescence for HA-δ and FLAG-μ opioid receptors. HEK-293 cells stably expressing both HA-δ and FLAG-μ opioid receptors are shown labeled for μ (A, green fluorescence) and for δ (B, red fluorescence). DAPI (blue fluorescence) has been used to stain the nuclei.

Tuj-1-Neuronal Differentiation Marker

Our Tuj-1 antibodies are widely used and frequently referenced in customer publications. They are proven markers for Neural Progenitor and Neuronal Differentiation. Here's the latest reference:

Alonso M. Higuero, Lucía Sánchez-Ruiloba1, Laura E. Doglio, Francisco Portillo1, José Abad- Rodríguez, Carlos G. Dotti and Teresa Iglesias. Kidins220/ARMS modulates the activity of microtubule-regulating proteins and controls neuronal polarity and development. JBC Papers in Press. Published on November 10, 2009 as Manuscript M109.024703.

...Tuj 1 (Neuron-specific class III beta-tubulin)-Mouse (MO15013, Neuromics Antibodies, Edina, MN)...

Immunofluorescence Method:

Cells grown on coverslips were fixed for 5 min in 4% paraformaldehydecontaining 4% sucrose in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at 37ºC. Cells were then permeabilized with 0.2% Triton X-100 in PBS during 5 min at room temperature. After blocking (5% bovine serum albumin in PBS for 1 h), cells were incubated with the corresponding primary antibodies, and immunoreactivity was detected with the suitable fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibody before mounting on slides with Mowiol4-88 (Harland Co., UK). Confocal images were acquired using an inverted Leica TCS SP5 laser confocal microscope with a 63X Plan- Achromatic oil immersion objective and processed with LAS AF Leica Application Suite and Adobe Photoshop CS2 (Adobe Systems
Inc., CA). All images correspond to the projection of sections from a ~50μm z-stack, except for colocalization analysis where they correspond to 0.5-0.7μm single sections.

Image: Rat hippocampal neurons were fixed at 1.5 DIV and immunostained for the neuronal marker βIII-Tubulin/Tuj1 (blue).

Opioid Receptors and Depression

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have been reported to interact with the Opioid Receptor system, but their pharmacological activity at opioid receptors has not yet been elucidated.

We would like to share a recent publications that sheds more light on the mystery. Our purified rabbit ployclonal phosphoERK1/2 Antibody is also referenced.

Pierluigi Onali, Simona Dedoni and Maria C. Olianas. Direct Agonist Activity of Tricyclic Antidepressants at Distinct Opioid Receptor Subtypes. JPET January 2010 vol. 332 no. 1 255-265 .

At the cloned μ-opioid receptor, TCAs showed low affinity and no significant agonist activity. These results show that TCAs differentially regulate opioid receptors with a preferential agonist activity on either δ or κ subtypes and suggest that this property may contribute to their therapeutic and/or side effects.

Related Reagents:
phosphoERK1/2 (Rabbit MAb)
Immune Response Research Antibodies
Immune Response Research Proteins
Neurotrophins and Growth Factor Antibdodies
Neurotrophin Proteins
Pain and Inflammation Research Antibodies

Hope for Stroke Victims-Transplanting STEMEZ hNP1 Cells

In a recent publication (Jen et al., 2009) Neuromics'/ArunA’s STEMEZ^TM human neural progenitor (hNP1) cells when injected (sterotaxic) into a rat stroke model produced significant beneficial results. The hNP1 cells reduced the infarct area by 50% and were positive for neuronal marker proteins, cleaved caspase-3 and 40% of the cells showed spontaneous action potentials and excitatory postsynaptic currents measured by patch clamp recordings at 8 weeks post hNP1 cell injections. The treated rats had improves cognitive and sensorimotor functions between four to nine months post injection. These Sprague–Dawley rats were not immunosuppressed.

Kunlin Jin, XiaoOu Mao, Lin Xie, Veronica Galvan, Bin Lai, Yaoming Wang, Olivia Gorostiza, Xiaomei Wang and David A Greenberg. Transplantation of human neural precursor cells in Matrigel scaffolding improves outcome from focal cerebral ischemia after delayed postischemic treatment in rats. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism advance online publication 14 October 2009; doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2009.219.

Featuring:
STEMEZ(TM) hNP1 Human Neural Progenitors Discovery Kit
Other Reagents:
STEMEZ(TM) hN2 Human Neurons Discovery Kit
All Stem Cell Research Reagents
Primary Neurons and Astrocytes

New Mouse Monoclonal GFAP Antibody

Check it out!

GFAP Antibody

Excelent marker for human astrocyte intermediate filaments in the central nervous system. It has also been detected in the glial cells of the enteric nervous system and some Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous systems.

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Blood Pressure, Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 Receptors and Baroreceptors

Dr. Dr. Hui-Lin Pan (Department of Anesthesiology) and his team at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has been a loyal user of our TRPV1 (VR1) since the early days of Neuromics' existence. We appreciate their continuing to use our reagent in their research.

Here's yet another publication:

Hao Sun, De-Pei Li, Shao-Rui Chen, Walter N. Hittelman and Hui-Lin Pan. Sensing of Blood Pressure Increase by Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 Receptors on Baroreceptors. doi:10.1124/jpet.109.160473

...VR1 C-terminus (TRPV1), dilution 1:1000, Neuromics...

Related Reagents:
All TRP Antibodies
Pain and Inflammation Research Antibodies
Neurotransmission -Neurotransmission Research Antibody Categories