Ace Therapeutics provides cellular models for mechanistic studies and pharmacological studies of depression, as well as analytical services based on these models. We aim to provide suitable in vitro models to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of depression and to develop new drugs to treat it.

Introduction of Cellular Model Development for Depression

Depression is a highly complex and heterogeneous disorder in which multiple biological systems and molecular pathways are involved, which makes its study very complex and challenging. It is important to establish methods to study depression. As a behavioral condition, animal studies are crucial. However, a policy of focusing on the 3Rs of scientific research is becoming increasingly important. Therefore, it is important to implement preliminary research strategies, such as the study of cells (i.e., neurons and glial cell lines). Using cellular models can help us to discover depression-related biomarkers. Thus, these molecular mechanisms can be studied in detail at the cellular level.

Fig. 1 Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells as an in vitro model of depression. (Correia AS, et al., 2020)

Cellular Model Development Services for Depression

Ace Therapeutics can provide primary neuronal cell models (cortical or hippocampal neurons), neuronal cell lines (rat clonal pheochromocytoma PC12, human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y, mouse hippocampal HT-22), primary glial cell cultures (astrocytes, microglia) and glial cell lines (murine glioma C6, microglial BV2) models. The following two models are the most frequently used.

• Cellular models based on human iPSC neurons

Synaptic loss and dendritic atrophy are common in psychiatric disorders and are strongly associated with cognitive decline. The role of synaptic and dendritic pathology in diseases affecting the central nervous system highlights the importance of drug discovery strategies to promote dendrite formation and growth. We offer a human iPSC neuron-based screen to assess the ability of test compounds to promote dendrite formation and growth by quantifying the total number of neurons, total neuron length, and dendrite branching.

• Primary neuronal model in rats

In addition to promoting neuronal survival, neurotrophic proteins are also involved in neuronal differentiation and axonal growth. Neuronal survival assays and neurite growth assays are used in neurobiology to study the neurotoxic effects of new compounds. We provide multiple models to test the neurotrophic potency of compounds on primary neuronal cultures in rats. We assess the effect of compounds on neurite outgrowth in cortical neuronal cultures by quantifying the number of protrusions per neuron, the total neurite length per neuron, the length of each major neuron, and the number of branching points.

Note: Cellular models have been used alone or in combination with animal studies to study the mechanisms of depression and antidepressant drug action. You could also be interested in depression animal models.

What Can We Help You Achieve in Psychiatry?

• To study the pathways leading to neurogenic damage
• For studying mechanisms of depression or elucidating pharmacological targets in neuronal cells and glial cell cultures
• Discover neuroinflammatory markers associated with depression
• To provide useful insights into the neuroinflammatory mechanisms of depression
• Develop therapies that target neuroinflammation for depression

Ace Therapeutics provides not only cellular models for depression mechanistic studies and depression drug development, but also measurements of neurogenesis including neurosynaptic outgrowth, which can help screen compounds for neuromodulatory, neuroprotective, neuroregenerative, and neurotoxic effects. If you are interested in this service please make an inquiry to learn how we can support you in your project.

Reference

1. Correia AS, et al. Cell Model of Depression: Reduction of Cell Stress with Mirtazapine. Int J Mol Sci. 2022, 23(9):4942.