Neurite Outgrowth Assays

Section Overview

• In Vitro Neurite Outgrowth Assays
• Neural Cell Lines and Culture Media
• Neuroscience Antibodies

Introduction

Neurite Outgrowth is a process wherein developing neurons produce new projections as they grow in response to guidance cues. Nerve growth factors, or neurotrophins, are one family of such stimuli that regulate neurite growth¹. Dynamic neurite outgrowth during development results in the formation of a complex neuronal architecture that results in the establishment of the functional nervous system and brain². Understanding the biology of neurite outgrowth can shed light on mechanisms underlying certain neurodegenerative diseases³. In order to investigate neurite outgrowth, researchers need an effective methods for growing neurons in culture, stimulating the cells with neurogenic compounds, such as growth factors, and monitoring the growing neurites.

In Vitro Neurite Outgrowth Assays

Neurite Outgrowth Assays have been optimized and developed for characterization and quantification of neurite formation, composition, and behavior in response to chemical agents and growth conditions. The assay technique uses Millicell^® semi-porous culture inserts (1uM, 3uM) and optimized reagents to easily analyze neurite outgrowth using a common colorimetric or chemiluminescence detection.

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Figure 1. Neurite Outgrowth Assay Protocol. The assay is a simple, efficient, and versatile system for the quantitative determination of compounds that influence neurite formation and repulsion. The microporous filter allows for biochemical separation and purification of neurites and cell bodies for detailed molecular analysis of protein expression, signal transduction processes and identification of drug targets that regulate neurite outgrowth or retraction processes. With this system, it is possible to screen numerous biological and pharmacological agents simultaneously, directly evaluate adhesion and guidance receptor functions responsible for neurite extension and repulsion, as well as analyze gene function in transfected cells.

Neural Cell Lines and Culture Media

Neural Culture Media

Immortalized Neural Cell Lines

Neurotrophic Factors

Neural Stem Cell Lines and Media

Bioactive Small Molecules

Neuroscience Antibodies

Understanding neurite outgrowth can improve therapeutics for nervous system developmental disorders and neurodegenerative disease. Our extensively validated antibodies for studying neurite outgrowth can help determine the mechanisms of axon growth.

Common Neural Markers

NeuN

b-Tubulin

MAP2

Nestin

Synaptophysin

 

Pan-Neuronal

Doublecortin

vGlut

Tyrosine Hydroxylase

Explore over 80,000 Antibodies

Figure 4. Neuron

References

1. Davies AM. 2000. Neurotrophins: Neurotrophic modulation of neurite growth. Current Biology. 10(5):R198-R200. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0960-9822(00)00351-1

2. Tosney KW, Landmesser LT. 1985. Development of the major pathways for neurite outgrowth in the chick hindlimb. Developmental Biology. 109(1):193-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-1606(85)90360-4

3. Millecamps S, Julien J. 2013. Axonal transport deficits and neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Rev Neurosci. 14(3):161-176. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3380