Dopaminergic neuron dysfunction and loss correlates with numerous progressive and devastating neurological diseases. Stem cell research and applications are rapidly moving toward the introduction and subsequent post-development analysis of embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived dopaminergic neurons in adult tissue. The NS145 is part of an expanding Chemicon/Upstate product line targeting development and plasticity in neurobiology. NS145 is a novel, broadly encompassing kit for the localization, characterization and analysis of ES cell derived dopaminergic neuron integration into adult central nervous system (CNS) tissue. This kit allows researchers to: (1) identify and characterize dopaminergic neurons in tissue; and (2) identify other neighboring neuronal types and astrocytes. In addition, the antibodies are a mixture of mouse and rat monoclonals and rabit and goat polyclonals to optimize double, triple, and quadruple staining paradigms. The kit component breakdown is as follows:
(1) Identifying dopaminergic neurons. Researchers are interested in identifying the subtype of neuron that their tagged ES have matured into following introduction and integration into the recipient CNS. This is a key step in dopaminergic neuron replacement therapy. This kit includes antibodies for the identification of dopaminergic neurons using several diverse markers targeting different stages in the neurotransmitter synthesis and maintainance: Dopa Decarboxylase (AB1569-50UL); Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH; MAB5280-20UG); Dopamine Transporter (DAT; MAB369-50UL).
(2) Identify other neuronal subtypes and astrocytes neighboring the transplanted cells. In order to measure the level of structural integration of the tagged ES cells, researchers often use general markers of neuronal subtype and astrocytes to characterize the local environment in which the ES cell-derived dopaminergic neurons are integrating. The kit includes antibodies for the general identification of neurons (NeuN; MAB377-100UG) and astrocytes (GFAP; AB5804). Also included are excellent markers for the identification of cholinergic (ChAT; AB144P-200UL) and Serotonergic (Serotonin; MAB352-50UL) neurons.
Additional, individual reagents can be ordered separately in larger quantities.