Blog

Our human endothelial cells have always been a particularly versatile tool for researchers. They have been used by neuroscientists to study the blood-brain barrier, diabetes researchers to study diabetic retinopathy, cancer researchers to study tumors, and much more. This week, another study was published using one of our many (see for yourself) types of endothelial cells. You can explore all publications using our endothelial cells here.

Image: A comparison of young and senescent HBMECs looking at DNA damage by staining with DAPI (top), numbers of actin stress fibers (middle), and CD31 expression (bottom)

Our human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) (cat. HEC02) were used by scientists at the University of Nottingham in a paper published earlier this week. In the study, the investigators grew our HBMECs until they became senescent with implications in vascular aging and other age-related diseases. They tested our cells to see if they could find any reliable biomarkers for vascular aging by looking at the senescent cells. They noted morphological and functional changes in the HBMECs as the passage number increased. Learn more here.

In the past couple of weeks, our blog has shared studies using Neuromics GFP-expressing cells and cell lines in exciting research. Now, we are happy to highlight another new publication that merges the two—a GFP-expressing cell line. Last month, researchers at Dartmouth published a paper using our GFP-expressing human glioblastoma cells (U87 MG) (cat. TR01-GFP) in fluorescent-guided surgery research. 

Contrast imaging has become a frequently used tool in surgical resection so that surgeons can remove all tumor tissue when operating on patients. This method has especially become prevalent in glioma removal. While many methods for fluorescent-guidance surgery exist, the investigators wanted to look for one that accurately marks tumors shortly after administration and is compatible with current imaging capabilities.

Image: Imaging of mice inoculated with GFP expressing U87 MG cells after 40 and 90 minutes. A comparison with GFP shows how candidate fluorescent agents perform.

Earlier this year, Neuromics introduced our customers to IBA Lifesciences' newest protein purification resin. Strep-Tactin® 4Flow® High Capacity is a 3-in-1 replacement for Strep-Tactin® Sepharose®, Strep-Tactin® Superflow®, and Strep-Tactin® Superflow® High Capacity products. Now, with the other resins being discontinued at the end of October, we've decided to offer 10% off all Strep-Tactin® 4Flow® High Capacity for the month of November.

The new resin consists of a low concentrated (4%) and pressure stable agarose coupled with high Strep-Tactin® density. These specifications create a versatile resin with vast capabilities: 

• High protein purity associated with the Strep-Tag® technology
• High yields for all protein sizes, especially large proteins
• Applicability for FPLC work stations
• Superior stability enabling more regeneration cycles than previous generation of resins

Our blog has been inundated in the past couple of months with posts highlighting how researchers have used our human primary cells. However, it is not just primary cells. Neuromics also offers an impressive selection of human cell lines, including cancer cells, RFP- and GFP-expressing cells, and more. Recently, a few publications were released that utilized cell lines purchased from Neuromics.

Weill Cornell Medical College investigators utilized SF-295 cells (cat. SF001), a human glioblastoma cell line, supplied by Neuromics in their cancer research. The scientists studied the evolution of genomic signatures in several tumor samples from urothelial cancer patients. The findings better define some of the mechanisms behind urothelial cancer evolution and give insights into therapeutic possibilities. Check out the paper here.

Image: DU 145 cells were incubated with diluted primary antibodies KRT18 and KRT19, then with fluorescent secondary antibodies (anti-mouse Cy2 and anti-rabbit Cy3) and mounted using iBright medium (SF40000).

Egyptian researchers published a study using WI-38 cells (cat. WI001), a human lung fibroblast cell line purchased from Neuromics, in diabetes research. They found that bee venom-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were a safe and effective treatment against diabetes in an in vivo rat model. According to the scientists, bee venom impacts pancreatic tissue through its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Read it here.

Another month, another new publication from customers using our GFP-expressing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (GFP-HUVECs) (cat. GF01). In September, we highlighted how the use of egg whites in tissue engineering was investigated by culturing our GFP-HUVECs (learn more here). Less than a month later, scientists at OHSU published a study that utilized our GFP-HUVECs in their research.

Image: Left: GFP-HUVECs in culture under no stretching force. Right: GFP-HUVECs in culture after 8 hours of cyclic stretch. The alignment of the cells is perpendicular to the axis of stretch.

The paper describes the assembly of a cell-stretch device. Since cells in the body are subjected to mechanical forces that can alter their morphology, gene expression, and differentiation, assays in cell culture that mimic these conditions are expected to be coveted. After explaining the components and construction of the device, the investigations utilized our GFP-HUVECs to validate their device. After subjecting the GFP-HUVCEs to cyclic stretching with their device, they observed a preferential alignment of the cells. You can read the complete study here.