Preformed Fibrils for Brain Tumors Model

Preformed fibers (PFFs) are a new tool for modeling. Based on stable, quantifiable characterization and validation of reproducible protocols, Alfa Cytology can develop PFFs for brain science research such as neurodegenerative diseases according to your needs, helping to create brain science disease models. The structural characterization and mechanism of activity of PFFs in disease models will be more clearly defined, enabling their application in large-scale drug screening and testing for brain tumor-related diseases.

We provide preformed fibers (PFFs) development services and products

In the field of neurodegenerative diseases, Tau proteins, α-synuclein, and β-amyloid, have always been the focus of research. Due to the multiple factors involved in the molecular mechanism of the formation of different pathological protein aggregates and the related regulatory mechanisms of their propagation, no drugs have been developed that can reverse the pathological process or cure the disease. Therefore, the establishment of preclinical animal models that can realistically reproduce human pathological phenotypes would be beneficial for understanding the pathological progression of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and other brain and neurological disorders, and could accelerate and advance the process of drug discovery and development for neurodegenerative diseases.

Production and validation of PFFs

We generate PFFs from monomers by heparin induction. We use high-quality monomers with high purity, high concentration, and correct conformation to induce PFFs with a high success rate. At the same time, we have a well-established process for the control of endotoxin, considering that the applications of PFFs are cell and animal experiments. Before using PFFs, we recommend that you change the length of PFFs to 50 nm or shorter by sonication to ensure the recruitment activity of PFFs and promote the endocytosis of PFFs.

Thioflavin T (ThT) is the classic assay for detecting β-folded structures.PFFs acquire more and more β-sheet structures as the monomer is recruited, and when ThT binds to the β-sheet structures, the fluorescence value increases, thus reflecting the activity of PFFs. For successfully prepared PFFs, we will verify their morphology and activity by electron microscopy and ThT fluorescence assay, respectively. Successfully induced PFFs will show a protofibrillar structure under electron microscopy.

PFFs are generated in vitro and can mimic endogenous protein aggregation in animal and cellular models. Thus, with PFFs, we can create a model that more closely matches the features found in neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, for brain disease modeling, Alfa Cytology also offers a range of PFFs to mimic naturally occurring pathologies and pathological processes to aid brain science research. Please feel free to contact us for more information.