In vitro neurology assays
Screen your lead candidate compounds using InnoSer’s in vitro neurology assays to progress to preclinical in vivo studies with confidence
In vitro neurology assays are carried out using primary and/or immortalized rodent and/or human (co)-cultures to screen and identify candidate compounds for further lead selection via preclinical in vivo research. Cultures of cells found within the central nervous system (CNS) such as microglial and neuronal cells allow you to evaluate the mechanism of action and efficacy of your novel investigational compounds in an in vitro setting for neurotoxicity, neurodegeneration/neuroprotection or neuroinflammation assessment.
InnoSer offers preclinical contract research services using a wide range of commercially available cell lines, primary rodent cells as well as ex vivo brain slices. Leverage our validated in vitro neurodegeneration assays or partner with our scientists to set up and validate custom assays. After an initial disease model induction phase (using disease-associated proteins, protein aggregates. and chemical toxins), cell cultures are treated with your novel investigational compounds of choice to determine efficacy. In vitro neurodegenerative disease assays can be performed before or in conjunction with running in vivo preclinical studies (PK/PD profiling or efficacy studies in InnoSer’s mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases).
Developing new, safe, and efficacious therapies is an extremely intricate process. As a preclinical neurology contract research organization (CRO), InnoSer partners with you to help you navigate the complexities of this research area.
Take advantage of InnoSer’s collaborative approach to develop the most optimal study design. With flexible and fast study start times you can perform your research at an accelerated pace. By outsourcing your preclinical neurology studies to InnoSer, you gain access to our in vitro and in vivo neurology drug development portfolio.
CRO services with in vitro neurodegenerative assays that InnoSer offers:
- Wide range of neurology in vitro assays in (co)-cultures of rodent primary cells e.g., ex vivo brain slides, and immortalized rodent and human cell lines of neuronal and microglial cells (e.g. SHSY5Y, HCM3).
- Neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins, chemical induction of disease phenotype or transgenic cell lines.
- Wide range of assays (e.g., aggregation, phagocytosis, neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation).
- Custom model and assay validation.
Find the right model for you.
Compare our model capabilities and discover which of our neurology platforms suits your research needs
Key in vitro neurology assays that InnoSer offers:
- Neuroinflammation in vitro assay
- Phagocytosis in vitro assay
- Aggregation in vitro assay using disease-associated proteins (e.g., recombinant amyloid-beta proteins)
- Neurotoxicity/ cell viability in vitro assay
- Apoptosis and necrosis in vitro assay
- Cell metabolism in vitro assay
- Live cell imaging (IncuCyte)
- Immunocytochemistry
- Analysis of NO, ROS, cytokines
- Neurodegeneration mesoscale discovery (MSD) or ELISA panels (Aβ38, Aβ40, Aβ42, APP, α-Synuclein Contactin-2/TAG-1, Neprilysin, Neuronal pentraxin-1, Tau)
- Neurodegenerative disease modeling in vitro using disease-related peptides (e.g., amyloid-β fibrils, MBP, α-synuclein, etc.)
- Stimulus–induced (e.g., LPS, IL-13, Rotenone, etc.) neurodegenerative disease modeling in vitro
- Neurotoxin-induced (e.g., H2O2, 6-OHDA, Rotenone, etc.) neurodegenerative disease modeling in vitro
Example data featuring in vitro neurology assays:
The human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y serves as an excellent in vitro model for evaluating a compound’s ability to rescue neurodegenerative disease phenotypes marked by significant ROS production induced by disease-related peptides.
Treating neuronal cells (SH-SY5Y) with amyloid-beta Aβ fibrils leads to increased ROS production, which can be rescued by co-treatment with Edaravone (3 hours after treatment (*P<0.05; ****P<0.0001).
The Aggregation assay confirms Aβ-42 fibril aggregation kinetics in vitro, confirming the fibrils suitability in subsequent assays.
The formation of fibril aggregates is monitored by fluorescence resulting from binding of Thioflavin T (ThT) to the aggregates. 24-hour incubation of Aβ–fibrils with the reporter ThT (20 μM) leads to significant increases in Aβ-42 fibril aggregation (*P<0.05; **P<0.01).
The Aβ-induced phagocytosis assay can be used to test novel Alzheimer’s disease compounds’ efficacy in stimulating the clearance of Aβ fibrils.
Aβ-42 fibril treatment induces significant increase in HMC3 cells’ phagocytic capacity in comparison to no fibril treatment. Simultaneous treatment of 0.1 µg/ml Aducanumab and 5.0 µM fibrils induces a significant increase in phagocytic capacity in comparison to 5.0 µM fibril treatment alone (*P<0.05, **P<0.005, ***P<0.001, ****P<0.0001).
The Aβ-induced and ⍺–synuclein-induced neurotoxicity in vitro assay can be used to test novel Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease compounds’ efficacy in rescuing cell viability.
24-hour treatment with Aβ–42 and ⍺-synuclein fibrils induces toxicity in SH-SY5Y and HMC3 cells compared to the control condition (**P=0.005; ***P=0.001; ****P<0.0001).
The people behind your research
Jolien Beekens, PhD, Neurology Study Director
With in vitro screening methods available as a suited first step in your development process our team of experts have the experience to optimise your study design process.
Thomas Vogels, PhD, Neurology Study Director
Leads an expert team of scientists with vast experience in our Neurology models to help you choose the right model and guide your optimal study design. We provide the solution to accelerating your drug development.
Related model options
Neurology Platform Overview
Highly relevant neurology models to facilitate preclinical drug development
Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Models
InnoSer offers APP transgenic mice as well as transgenic Tau and Tau seeding models using recombinant and/or patient-derived seeds.
Parkinson's Disease Mouse Models
InnoSer offers MPTP mouse model, transgenic alpha-synuclein, or seeding alpha-synuclein mouse models using recombinant and/or patient-derived seeds.
AAALAC Accreditation
InnoSer has earned the AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to responsible animal care and use. AAALAC International is a nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. Our accreditation is valid for three years, incl. 2023. Read more about the AAALAC accreditation programme here.
Animal Welfare
The 3Rs impact everything from policy and regulatory change to the development and uptake of new technologies and approaches. This is why InnoSer has ongoing commitment and monitoring of these processes. The steps we practice maximize our ability to replace, reduce and refine animal involvement and facilitate our commitment to these principles when it comes to research and drug development.
Ready to work with a CRO that’s as committed as you are?
Join us in delivering impactful studies that bring therapies to patients sooner.
info@innoserlaboratories.com