Innovative applications of brain organoids in neurological studies

Neurodegenerative conditions are debilitating ailments marked by the progressive decline in brain function and impact millions of individuals on a global scale.

As of January 2023, the FDA approved lecanemab, marketed as Leqembi by Eisai, as a therapeutic option for Alzheimer’s disease.

This significant milestone represents the second drug approval in this category, with aducanumab, known as Aduhelm, having received approval in 2021, signifying a notable advancement in immunotherapy for neurodegenerative disorders.

Currently, the primary models utilized for researching brain diseases typically rely on postmortem human brain tissue, non-human primate tissue, or 2D in vitro experiments. However, these approaches are constrained by resource limitations and disparities in brain structure among different species.

In recent times, a hopeful alternative has surfaced in the form of 3D brain organoids, which are cultivated from either embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These organoids are proving to be a promising model for investigating neurodegenerative diseases.

Organoids derived from various brain regions, such as the forebrain, midbrain, and hippocampus, are cultured and employed as in vitro models for investigating neurobiological and neurodevelopmental disorders. The presence of cytokines in brain organoid cultures is of critical importance.

To illustrate, growth factors like FGF2, EGF, Noggin/NOG, and BMP4 have guided cellular differentiation along specific organ lineages. Furthermore, FGF2, SDF1, and FGF19 are utilized in the cultivation of cerebellar organoids, which are instrumental in the study of conditions like spinocerebellar ataxia.

Sino Biological offers a comprehensive array of products suitable for brain organoid culture, including human EGF, FGF2, NOG, BMP4, FGF8, FGF19, and more. These resources greatly support research efforts focused on neurodegenerative diseases.

Brain organoid: an Emerging models for investigating neurological development in vitro.

Figure 1. Brain organoid: an emerging model for investigating neurological development in vitro. Image Credit: Sino Biological US Inc

Featured cytokines for brain organoid culture

Sino Biological has created an extensive collection of bioactive recombinant cytokines sourced from a diverse range of species, including humans, mice, cynomolgus monkeys, rhesus monkeys, rats, and dogs.

  • Various Species
  • High Purity
  • HPLC Verified
  • Low Endotoxin
  • High Activity

Human EGF protein, HPLC-verified

(Cat#: 10605-HNAE)

High-purity

High-purity: ≥ 95 % as determined by SDS-PAGE & SEC-HPLC. Image Credit: Sino Biological US Inc

Activity-validated: Cell proliferation assay using Balb/C 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts.

Activity-validated: Cell proliferation assay using Balb/C 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Image Credit: Sino Biological US Inc

Human FGF2 protein

(Cat#: GMP-10014-HNAE)

Activity-validated: Cell proliferation assay using Balb/c 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts.

Activity-validated: Cell proliferation assay using Balb/c 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Image Credit: Sino Biological US Inc

Human Noggin/NOG protein, HPLC-verified

(Cat#: 10267-HNAH)

High-purity

High-purity: ≥ 95 % as determined by SDS-PAGE & SEC-HPLC. Image Credit: Sino Biological US Inc

Activity-validated: Inhibit BMP4-induced alkaline phosphatase production by MC3T3E1 mouse preosteoblast cells.

Activity-validated: Inhibit BMP4-induced alkaline phosphatase production by MC3T3E1 mouse preosteoblast cells. Image Credit: Sino Biological US Inc

Human BMP4 protein

(Cat#: 10609-HNAE2)

Activity-validated: Cell proliferation assay using NIH-3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells

Activity-validated: Cell proliferation assay using NIH-3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. Image Credit: Sino Biological US Inc

More cytokines for brain organoid culture (partial list)

Source: Sino Biological US Inc

Cytokines Product Cat# Expression Host Purity Activity
EGF Human EGF Protein GMP-10605-HNAE

(1 Citation)

E. coli ≥ 95 % (SEC-HPLC) Active
EGF Human EGF Protein (hFc Tag) 10605-H01H

(1 Citation)

HEK293 Cells > 90 %  Active
EGF Mouse EGF Protein (hFc Tag) 50482-M01H

(4 Citations)

HEK293 Cells > 95 %  Active
EGF Mouse EGF Protein 50482-MNAY

(1 Citation)

Yeast > 95 %  Active
EGF Feline EGF Protein (hFc Tag) 62010-U01H HEK293 Cells > 90 %   
EGF Canine EGF Protein (His Tag) 70013-D07E E. coli > 98 %  Active
EGF Rat EGF Protein 80446-RNAE E. coli > 95 %  Active
FGF2 Human FGF2 Protein 10014-HNAE

(30 Citations)

E. coli > 95 %  Active
FGF2 Mouse FGF2 Protein (His Tag) 50037-M07E

(1 Citation)

E. coli > 95 %  Active
Noggin/NOG Human Noggin Protein (hFc Tag) 10267-H02H

(1 Citation)

HEK293 Cells > 95 %  Active
Noggin/NOG Human Noggin Protein (His Tag) 10267-H08H HEK293 Cells > 95 %  Active
Noggin/NOG Mouse Noggin Protein (hFc Tag) 50688-M02H

(6 Citations)

HEK293 Cells > 85 %  Active
BMP4 Mouse BMP4 Protein (rFc Tag) 50439-M15H HEK293 Cells > 92 %  Active
FGF8 Human FGF8 Protein 16124-HNAE E. coli > 95 %  Active
FGF8 Human FGF8 Protein 16277-HNAE

(2 Citations)

E. coli > 95 %  Active
FGF19 Human FGF19 Protein 12226-HNAE E. coli ≥ 95 % (SEC-HPLC)  
SDF-1 Human SDF-1 Protein (hFc Tag) 10118-H01H HEK293 Cells > 95 %  Active
SDF-1 Human SDF-1 Protein (His Tag) 13511-H07E E. coli > 90 %   
SDF-1 Human SDF-1 Protein 10118-HNAE

(2 Citations)

E. coli > 95 %   
SDF-1 Mouse SDF-1 Protein 50025-MNAE E. coli > 95 %   
SDF-1 Rhesus SDF-1 Protein 90009-C02H HEK293 Cells > 95 %  Active

 

Featured antibodies related to brain organoid culture

Anti-SOX2 antibody

Rabbit mAb; (Cat#: 100106-R017)

Immunochemical staining of human SOX2 in human testis. Applications: IHC-P,

Immunochemical staining of human SOX2 in human testis. Applications: IHC-P. Image Credit: Sino Biological US Inc.

Anti-beta-III tubulin/TUBB3 antibody

Rabbit pAb; (Cat#: 101288-T34)

Immunofluorescence staining of TUBB3 in hESC-H9 cells. Applications: WB, ICC/IF.

Immunofluorescence staining of TUBB3 in hESC-H9 cells. Applications: WB, ICC/IF. Image Credit: Sino Biological US Inc

Anti-Nestin antibody

Mouse mAb; (Cat#: 103270-MM11)

Flow cytometric analysis of Human NES expression on SHSY5Y cells. Applications: WB, IHC-P, FCM, IP. Image Credit: Sino Biological US Inc

Learn More about Brain Organoids