Epilepsy In Vitro Modeling Service

Epilepsy, a chronic neurological disorder marked by recurrent seizures, impacts millions worldwide. Notably, roughly one-third of patients are resistant to current therapies. In vitromodels and assays are, therefore, crucial for elucidating epileptogenesis, screening potential therapeutics, and dissecting underlying cellular mechanisms.

Beyond our reliable animal models, Creative Biolabs provides comprehensive in vitro platforms to support your research, enabling the investigation of epileptiform activity mechanisms and the screening of promising antiepileptic compounds.

Available In Vitro Models

In vitro models allow precise control over experimental conditions and reduce reliance on animal studies. Below are the most widely used systems:

• Primary Neural Cell Culture

To facilitate epilepsy research, we offer primary neural cell cultures derived from rodent brain tissue, providing a highly relevant in vitro model. These cultures allow for the modeling of epileptic seizures through various induction methods, including manipulation of extracellular ion balance and targeted modulation of excitatory or inhibitory pathways. Specifically, we utilize: Zero Mg²⁺ or Picrotoxin Methods, which induce spontaneous epileptiform activity by disrupting neurotransmitter balance, enabling the evaluation of anticonvulsant compounds; Kainic Acid (KA) Methods, where KA-induced excitotoxicity and hyperexcitability mimic seizure activity, revealing insights into apoptosis and inflammatory responses; and **Ion Channel Modulators**, such as 4-aminopyridine and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), which disrupt synaptic regulation by targeting specific ion channels. These models, utilizing single neuron or co-cultures of neurons and glial cells, offer valuable tools for investigating epileptogenesis and screening potential therapeutics.

• Human iPSC-derived Neural Cell Cultures

Neural Cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a promising tool for assessing neurotoxicity and are widely used in drug development and studying various neurological disorders. We offer human iPSCs-derived neurons or neural stem cells from epilepsy patients, and SCN1A KO /KCNT1 KO and isogenic wild-type iPSCs-derived GABANeurons to study epilepsy.

• Acute Brain Slices

Acute brain slices are obtained from non-epileptic rodents and are able to retain original brain connections than primary neurons. We normally supply the rat ex vivo hippocampal slices and then use acute chemoconvulsants or electrical stimulation to induce epileptiform bursting.

• Organotypic Slice Cultures

Organotypic slices (OS) are prepared from acute brain slices and cultured in vitro for several weeks. We are capable of preparing OS to assess the long-term effects of agents for drug discovery.

• Human Ion Channel Cell Lines

About 25% of genes associated with epilepsy are involved in encoding ion channels. The most commonly mutated ion channels in epilepsy include voltage-gated sodium, potassium, calcium channels, as well as ligand-gated glutamatergic and GABAergic receptors. We provide various human channel stable cell lines to assist drug screening, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, HCN and GABAA receptors.

Patch Clamp Assay

The patch clamp technique provides precise measurements of membrane potential and current flow, essential for understanding neuronal excitability. We utilize this method to study how potential drugs alter neuronal firing patterns, which are often disrupted in seizures. This allows for accurate dosage determination of novel antiepileptic compounds.

Fig.1 Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from hippocampal CA3 pyramidal cells in vitro48h after intracerebroventricular injection of NMDAR antibodies and control antibodies to analyze synaptic activity.^{1, 4}

MEA Assay

The Multielectrode Array (MEA) assay provides real-time extracellular recording of electrical activity, not just at the single-cell level but also within neuronal networks. With extensive experience in electrophysiology, we can perform MEA assays to analyze spikes, bursts, synchrony, and connectivity, enabling the detection of epileptic seizures and the efficient assessment of antiepileptic drugs.

Fig.2 Schematic overview and measured MEA parameters of cortical neuron cultures on MEAs.²

Calcium Imaging Assay

Calcium ions (Ca²⁺) play a critical role in regulating neuronal excitability. Imbalances in intracellular Ca²⁺ levels can trigger epilepsy. We utilize both chemical (e.g., Fura-2, Fluo-4) and genetically encoded (e.g., GCaMP) calcium indicators to detect intracellular electrical activity, oscillatory activity, synchrony, and network activity in primary or iPSC-derived neuronal cultures, providing valuable insights into epilepsy mechanisms.

Fig.3 Ca²⁺ fluorescence imaging in cultured primary neurons.^{3, 4}

Creative Biolabs offers a comprehensive portfolio and services to support scientists in developing novel therapeutic approaches against epilepsy. If you are interested in our epilepsy related in vitro models and assays, please contact us to get more information.

References

1. Wright, S.K. et al. "Multimodal electrophysiological analyses reveal that reduced synaptic excitatory neurotransmission underlies seizures in a model of NMDAR antibody-mediated encephalitis." Commun Biol. 2021, 4:1106.
2. Cabrera-Garcia, David et al. "Early prediction of developing spontaneous activity in cultured neuronal networks." Sci Rep. 2021, 11(1):20407. Distributed under Open Access License CC BY 4.0 without modification.
3. Geng, Jinli et al. "Chronic Ca²⁺ imaging of cortical neurons with long-term expression of GCaMP-X." Elife. 2022, 1:e76691.
4. Distributed under Open Access License CC BY 4.0. The original image was modified.