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StemBeads® Qkine BDNF
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StemBeads® Qkine BDNF

StemBeads® Qkine BDNF is a patented growth factor supplement that offers a novel way to culture cells with native BDNF more efficiently, with greater control and fewer medium changes. StemBeads® Qkine BDNF has been tested on neural progenitor cell (NPC) media, including neural progenitor expansion medium (NPEM), with enhanced cellular profiles.

StemBeads® revolutionary controlled-release protein technology combined with Qkine high purity and bioactivity animal origin-free growth factors and cytokines stabilizes growth factor levels for increased cell culture consistency and reproducibility.

 

Our robust animal origin-free manufacturing platform, along with rigorous quality control procedures, ensures exceptional bioactivity and consistent performance from lot to lot, guaranteeing outstanding performance in your applications.

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StemBeads® Qkine BDNF is a patented growth factor supplement that offers a novel way to culture cells with native BDNF more efficiently, with greater control and fewer medium changes. BDNF is key for supporting neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neuronal differentiation. StemBeads® Qkine BDNF are microbeads composed of an FDA approved, biodegradable PLGA polymer that is loaded with Qkine recombinant human BDNF (Qk050) and release the encapsulated protein at a constant rate. Controlled delivery and stable levels overcome the half-life of BDNF and improve cell cultures while saving researchers valuable time and resources.

StemBeads are a revolutionary controlled-release growth factor technology. The StemBeads product is currently used for improved cell culture in more than 100 scientific laboratories globally. StemBeads technology encapsulates a growth factor in a PLGA hydrogel that stabilizes the protein and releases it steadily over several days. With growth factor levels stabilized, spontaneous differentiation is reduced, pluripotency is increased, and feeding schedules are reduced to only 2-3 times per week. StemBeads are added to your medium to achieve a desired growth factor release, sustained over several days. Following, the beads are washed from the culture, the medium is replaced, and the process repeated as required.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of neurotrophin family which includes nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin–3/4/5 (NT–3/4/5) [1,2]. BDNF plays a crucial role during embryonic development and the maintenance of the nervous system during adulthood. It mediates many aspects, including the survival, growth, maintenance, and differentiation of neural stem cells and mature neurons [3,4]. It stimulates neurogenesis and promotes the growth of dendrites and axons [5,6]. It is also involved in synaptic plasticity, forming and strengthening synapses in response to experience and learning [7]. Finally, it regulates the neuroprotection as it is involved in neural repair and recovery [8].

In cell culture, recombinant human BDNF supports the survival and growth of neurons and establishes and strengthens synapses. It is used in combination with other growth factors to maintain neurons and to differentiate human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors into neurons [5]. It is used for the differentiation and maturation of dopaminergic neurons with glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), FGF-8a/FGF-8b, and Shh [9–11]. Glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons are maintained with combinations of BDNF, GDNF, NT-3, or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) [12–14]. Cholinergic neurons are obtained using BDNF, IGF-1, and NGF [15,16]. Also, the culture of cortical organoids require BDNF and GDNF for maturation [17].

[1] Maisonpierre, P. C. et al. NT-3, BDNF, and NGF in the developing rat nervous system: Parallel as well as reciprocal patterns of expression. Neuron 5, 501–509 (1990). doi: 10.1016/0896-6273(90)90089-x

[2] Skaper, S. D. The Neurotrophin Family of Neurotrophic Factors: An Overview. in Neurotrophic Factors: Methods and Protocols (ed. Skaper, S. D.) 1–12 (Humana Press, 2012). doi:10.1007/978-1-61779-536-7_1.

[3] Ghosh, A., Carnahan, J. & Greenberg, M. E. Requirement for BDNF in Activity-Dependent Survival of Cortical Neurons. Science 263, 1618–1623 (1994). doi: 10.1126/science.7907431

[4] Hyman, C. et al. BDNF is a neurotrophic factor for dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. Nature 350, 230–232 (1991). doi: 10.1038/350230a0

[5] Brafman, D. A. Generation, Expansion, and Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell (hPSC) Derived Neural Progenitor Cells (NPCs). in Stem Cell Renewal and Cell-Cell Communication: Methods and Protocols (ed. Turksen, K.) 87–102 (Springer, 2015). doi:10.1007/7651_2014_90

[6] Chen, B.-Y. et al. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor stimulates proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells, possibly by triggering the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. J. Neurosci. Res. 91, 30–41 (2013). doi: 10.1002/jnr.23138

[7] Bramham, C. R. & Messaoudi, E. BDNF function in adult synaptic plasticity: The synaptic consolidation hypothesis. Prog. Neurobiol. 76, 99–125 (2005). doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2005.06.003

[8] Park, H. & Poo, M. Neurotrophin regulation of neural circuit development and function. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 14, 7–23 (2013). doi: 10.1038/nrn3379

[9] Perrier, A. L. et al. Derivation of midbrain dopamine neurons from human embryonic stem cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 101, 12543–12548 (2004). doi: 10.1073/pnas.0404700101

[10] Brennand, K. et al. Modeling schizophrenia using hiPSC neurons. Nature 473, 221–225 (2011). doi: 10.1038/nature09915

[11] Kriks, S. et al. Dopamine neurons derived from human ES cells efficiently engraft in animal models of Parkinson’s disease. Nature 480, 547–551 (2011). doi: 10.1038/nature10648

[12] Fernandopulle, M. S. et al. Transcription-factor mediated differentiation of human iPSCs into neurons. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 79, e51 (2018). doi: 10.1002/cpcb.51

[13] Li, X.-J. et al. Specification of motoneurons from human embryonic stem cells. Nat. Biotechnol. 23, 215–221 (2005). doi: 10.1038/nbt1063

[14] Lin, L., Yuan, J., Sander, B. & Golas, M. M. In Vitro Differentiation of Human Neural Progenitor Cells Into Striatal GABAergic Neurons. Stem Cells Transl. Med. 4, 775–788 (2015). doi: 10.5966/sctm.2014-0083

[15] Liu, Y. et al. Medial ganglionic eminence–like cells derived from human embryonic stem cells correct learning and memory deficits. Nat. Biotechnol. 31, 440–447 (2013). doi: 10.1038/nbt.2565

[16] Nilbratt, M., Porras, O., Marutle, A., Hovatta, O. & Nordberg, A. Neurotrophic factors promote cholinergic differentiation in human embryonic stem cell-derived neurons. J. Cell. Mol. Med. 14, 1476–1484 (2010). doi: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2009.00916.x

[17] Jacob, F. et al. Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Cells and Brain Organoids Reveal SARS-CoV-2 Neurotropism Predominates in Choroid Plexus Epithelium. Cell Stem Cell 27, 937-950.e9 (2020). doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.09.016

Additional information

FAQ

StemBeads® can be easily removed prior to analysis by washing 1-2 times with PBS, DMEM, F12 or any other basal medium preferred. For suspension cultures, there are a variety of strainer pore sizes to allow for separation. Cells cultured with StemBeads® have been used in a variety of downstream applications, including but not limited to: immunofluorescence, FACS, RNA/DNA extraction, nucleofection, differentiation etc.

The protein concentration can be adjusted based on the number of StemBeads® that you use. The release rate has a linear correlation with the amount of StemBeads® used. For example, 8 µl of StemBeads® per ml of media releases at a concentration of 10 ng/ml. However, if you desire half of that concentration, such as 5 ng/ml, then adjust the concentration to 4 µl of StemBeads® per ml media to achieve the concentration of 5 ng/ml.

With growth factor levels stabilized, spontaneous differentiation is reduced, pluripotency is increased, and feeding schedules are reduced to only 2-3 times per week. StemBeads are added to your medium to achieve a desired growth factor release, sustained over several days. Following, the beads are washed from the culture, the medium is replaced, and the process repeated as required.

No, this is not a problem or indication of cell quality. Extensive testing has been performed to access the cell quality when using StemBeads®. All phenotypic and functional assays have shown cell quality as good or better than current feeding regimens. For best assessment of cells, wash cells once prior to observation.

Recombinant Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor is a synthetic form of BDNF. Qkine recombinant human BDNF is expressed in E. coli.

BDNF plays a crucial role during embryonic development and the maintenance of the nervous system during adulthood including the survival, growth, maintenance, and differentiation of neurons, growth of dendrites and axons, and synaptic plasticity.

NGF, GDNF, and BDNF are all part of the neurotrophins or neurotrophic factors family. They all regulate the development, growth, and survival of neurons and have more specific roles. NGF is associated with the growth and maintenance of sensory and sympathetic neurons. BDNF and GDNF are both associated with dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic neurons. In addition, BDNF plays a crucial role in synapses formation whereas GDNF is involved in the growth and maintenance of other glial cells such as astrocytes.

Qkine products are intended solely for research purposes and ex vivo cell manufacturing. Not for therapeutic or diagnostic use.