Trying to Kill a Killer; Impressive Killing of Patient Derived Glioblastoma Cultures Using NK-92 Natural Killer Cells Reveals Both Sensitive and Highly Resistant Glioblastoma Cells.

The overall goal of this work was to assess the ability of Natural Killer cells to kill cultures of patient-derived glioblastoma cells. Herein we report impressive levels of NK-92 mediated killing of various patient-derived glioblastoma cultures observed at ET (effector: target) ratios of 5:1 and 1:1. This enabled direct comparison of the degree of glioblastoma cell loss across a broader range of glioblastoma cultures.

Can ECIS Biosensor Technology Be Used to Measure the Cellular Responses of Glioblastoma Stem Cells?

Glioblastoma is considered the most aggressive and lethal form of brain cancer. Glioblastoma tumours are complex, comprising a spectrum of oncogenically transformed cells displaying distinct phenotypes. These can be generated in culture and are called differentiated-glioblastoma cells and glioblastoma stem cells.

Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CB) Signals via G-alpha-s and Induces IL-6 and IL-10 Cytokine Secretion in Human Primary Leukocytes.

Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB) is a promising therapeutic target for immunological modulation. There is, however, a deficit of knowledge regarding CB signaling and function in human primary immunocompetent cells. We applied an experimental paradigm which closely models the state of human primary leukocytes (PBMC; peripheral blood mononuclear cells) to characterize activation of a number of signaling pathways in response to a CB-selective ligand (HU308).

The Importance of Multifrequency Impedance Sensing of Endothelial Barrier Formation Using ECIS Technology for the Generation of a Strong and Durable Paracellular Barrier.

In this paper, we demonstrate the application of electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) technology for measuring differences in the formation of a strong and durable endothelial barrier model. In addition, we highlight the capacity of ECIS technology to model the parameters of the physical barrier associated with (I) the paracellular space (referred to as R) and (II) the basal adhesion of the endothelial cells (α, alpha). Physiologically, both parameters are very important for the correct formation of endothelial barriers.

Is the Cannabinoid CB Receptor a Major Regulator of the Neuroinflammatory Axis of the Neurovascular Unit in Humans?

The central nervous system (CNS) is an immune privileged site where the neurovascular unit (NVU) and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) act as a selectively permeable interface to control the passage of nutrients and inflammatory cells into the brain parenchyma. However, in response to injury, infection, or disease, CNS cells become activated, and release inflammatory mediators to recruit immune cells to the site of inflammation. Increasing evidence suggests that cannabinoids may have a neuroprotective role in CNS inflammatory conditions.

First human hNT astrocytes patterned to single cell resolution on parylene-C/silicon dioxide substrates.

In our previous work we developed a successful protocol to pattern the human hNT neuron (derived from the human teratocarcinoma cell line (hNT)) on parylene-C/SiO(2) substrates. This communication, reports how we have successfully managed to pattern the supportive cell to the neuron, the hNT astrocyte, on such substrates. Here we disseminate the nanofabrication, cell differentiation and cell culturing protocols necessary to successfully pattern the first human hNT astrocytes to single cell resolution on parylene-C/SiO(2) substrates.

Patterning and detailed study of human hNT astrocytes on parylene-C/silicon dioxide substrates to the single cell level.

It is estimated that the adult human brain contains 100 billion neurons with 5-10 times as many astrocytes. Although it has been generally considered that the astrocyte is a simple supportive cell to the neuron, recent research has revealed new functionality of the astrocyte in the form of information transfer to neurons of the brain. In our previous work we developed a protocol to pattern the hNT neuron (derived from the human teratocarcinoma cell line (hNT)) on parylene-C/SiO(2) substrates.

Cannabinoid Receptors: A brief history and what not.

Our understanding of the complexity of the endocannabinoid system has evolved considerably since the cloning of the receptors in the early 1990s. Since then several endogenous ligands have been identified and their respective biosynthetic pathways unravelled. This research has revealed the involvement of the cannabinoid system in a number of important physiological processes including the regulation of neurotransmitter release, pain and analgesia, energy homeostasis, and control of immune cell function.