Neuronal Toxicity Assay

Overview of Neuronal Toxicity

The nervous system is sensitive to the toxic effects of many chemical compounds. Neurotoxicity is a hidden toxic reaction in the assessment of drug toxicity, which is usually irreversible in human body damage. For example, in spinal cord injury and stroke pathology, neurotoxicity can lead to temporary or permanent damage to the associated nervous system. Notably, neurotoxicity is also regarded as a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, neurotoxicity has always been the focus of drug evaluation.

Applications Significance of Neurotoxicity Assays

However, the evaluation of drug neurotoxicity by animal in vivo experiments has the disadvantages of a long cycle, high cost, and difficulty in analyzing the results. Cell-based in vitro drug neurotoxicity assays are emerging as an attractive strategy for screening new drug candidates because they are an efficient and ethical initial screening alternative to animal models. Furthermore, neurotoxicity assays are crucial tools for studying the effects of chemicals on neuronal morphology and electrophysiological activity. As a leader in the field of neurology, Creative Biolabs has constructed various well-established in vitro cell models, which are conducive to evaluating the effects of drugs on nerve cell function, morphology, and neural network signaling from the perspective of neurotoxicity mechanisms.

Fig.1 Neuronal toxicity assay. (Wang, 2019)

What Service We Provide?

Neuronal toxicity assay is mainly based on the changes in cell membrane permeability. Based on cultured neural cells, numerous in vitro neurotoxicity assays are available at Creative Biolabs.

• Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay

The LDH cytotoxicity assay provides a simple and reliable method for determining cytotoxicity. LDH is a stable protein that is released into the cell culture medium when the plasma membrane is damaged. Neurotoxicity was assessed by examining the activity of LDH.

• Calcium flux assay

Calcium flux measurement is one of the crucial strategies for in vitro neurotoxicity studies and drug screening. Our service allows real-time monitoring of intracellular calcium oscillations in primary neuronal cultures to screen for appropriate compounds.

• Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay

The detection of ATP is the basis for the study of life processes. Currently, ATP is closely related to the determination of the functional integrity of living cells. Bioluminescence is the most successful technique for the determination of ATP due to its high sensitivity and wide dynamic range characteristics. At Creative Biolabs, monitoring of ATP bioluminescence can be used to measure cytotoxicity.

• Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-based toxicity screening

iPSCs are very promising tools in neuronal toxicity studies because they exhibit the function and behavior of mature neurons. Our combination of iPSCs with high-content imaging provides a new way to reduce the cost of drug development and the need for animal experiments.

• Live cell toxicity assay

Creative Biolabs now offers live cytotoxicity assays that rely on combinations of reactive dyes, calcein, and nuclear dyes. This assay provides informative information on the neurotoxic activity of compounds.

Cell Models at Creative Biolabs

• Primary Neuronal Cell Culture Models
• Human iPSC Derived Neuronal Cell Culture Models
• Cell Line Models
• Transgenic Cell Line Models

Creative Biolabs has been providing cell-based in vitro neurotoxicity assays for decades. With a team of experienced experts and cutting-edge equipment, we are confident to provide customized and cost-effective in vitro neurotoxicity assays to meet your specific project needs. If you are interested in our neuronal toxicity assay services, please feel free to contact us for support from our experts.

Reference

1. Wang, W.; et al. Toxic amyloid-β oligomers induced self-replication in astrocytes triggering neuronal injury. EBioMedicine. 2019, 42: 174-187.