Establishment of neuronal cell culture systems

JSW Research has extensive experience in testing pharmacological susbstances on embryonic chicken neurons in vitro. A number of lesion models mimicking pathological features of neurodegenerative diseases have been established for chicken neurons and enable quick and economic screening of test items. JSW research is looking forward to develop and establish mammalian cell culture systems to satisfy increasing amount of costumer requests for more suitable cell culture systems. In contrast to the limiting importance of chicken neurons for drug screening, mammalian neurons are more relevant for drug discovery since they possess more functional similarities with human cells than avian cells do. To address pathological features of degenerating cells from different diseases, neurons from the affected brain areas have to be cultured. Therefore, we plan to establish culture systems for embryonic rat hippocampal and cortical neurons. To analyse developmentally more mature neurons, we will culture murine postnatal and adult brain slices from hippocampus and striatum. The three-dimensional structure of tissue is maintained in brain slices and thus provides neurons in their physiological environment and in part with their synaptic connections. Subsequently, lesion models for ischemic stroke, Parkinsons and Alzheimers disease will be developed for purified neurons and slice cultures. Besides the evaluation of apoptosis and necrosis in different lesion models, pathological manifestations are to be determined in specific neuronal subpopulations by immunohistochemical staining procedures. In addition, culture of adult retina ganglion explants will provide an ideal system for developing lesion models for Glaucoma. The establishment of the above mentioned cell culture systems will allow JSW research to qualitatively improve drug testing and to give more relevant information on substances for application in vivo or in humans. Thereby, lesion models for ischemic stroke, Parkinsons and Alzheimers disease are becoming increasingly applicable and can be more effectively promoted to strenghten bonds with current clients and to acquire new customers. In addition, these systems reduce the number of in vivo studies for customers and allow a rapid and economic but still relevant analysis of test substances.