ReNcell® VM Neural Stem Cell Line Models Parkinson’s Disease

Millipore Corporation today announced the publication of a new discovery derived from its ReNcell VM neural stem cell line. A study published in June in the journal PLoS ONE established the first functional link between the PINK1 gene and the neural degeneration.

Certain forms of familial Parkinson’s disease have been previously linked to mutations in the PINK1 gene, but no mechanistic link between the gene and the disease had been established until now. By suppressing the PINK1 gene in neurons derived from the ReNcell VM cell line, scientists in the laboratory of Nicholas Wood at the institute of Molecular Neuroscience in London showed that loss of PINK1 function resulted in increased programmed cell death, more free radicals, decreased long-term survival of neurons, ReNcell VM cells have now been shown to be a valuable, physiologically relevant tool for studying Parkinson’s disease.

The ReNcell VM neural stem cell line was developed by ReNeuron Group Plc and is now exclusively marketed by Millipore for the use of neurobiologists and stem cell researchers worldwide. The first marketed human neural progenitor line, ReNcell VM cells are able to readily differentiate into all three neural lineages (neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes). The cell line grows well and maintains its pluripotency in optimized serum-free media, and thus it is ideal for studying differentiation pathways.

Millipore has evolved from a high performance filtration products and services company into a leading provider of tools and services and a key partner of choice for Life Science customers. We’ve transformed ourselves through R&D investment, organic growth, and acquisitions such as Chemicon, Upstate, Linco, Celliance, Newport Bio Systems, NovAseptic AB and Microsafe. The integrated Millipore offers more innovative technologies and stronger application support to streamline processes and provide consistently reliable results. The expert scientists in our Life Science business unit understand the complexity of Life Science research and can support our customers in their most difficult challenges in cell biology, stem cells, protein research, and cell signalling.