Human Cortical Neuron Cells

Description

Human Cortical Neurons (HCN) are primary neuronal cells isolated from the cerebral cortex of healthy human donors. These cells are part of the central nervous system and can be distinguished into neurons and glial subpopulations. In culture, differentiated HCN cells exhibit characteristic branched morphology with extended neurites and synaptic structures, reflecting mature neuronal architecture. They express canonical neuronal markers such as βIII-tubulin (Tuj1), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), and vesicular glutamate transporters VGLUT1 and VGLUT2, indicative of excitatory cortical neuron identity. HCN cells provide a highly relevant model for investigating neurophysiology, synaptic activity, and disease pathology. Dysregulation of these cells has been linked to altered Ih (hyperpolarization-activated) currents and dendritic excitability, contributing to neurological disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. The cells are rigorously tested to ensure they are free of contamination from HIV-1, HBV, HCV, syphilis, mycoplasma, fungi, yeast, and bacteria.

Application

• Human Cortical Neurons are indispensable for neurological disease modeling, including tauopathies, ALS, and schizophrenia. They enable drug screening for neurotherapeutics, toxicity testing (e.g., neurodevelopmental toxins), and studies of network dysfunction using multi-electrode arrays (MEAs). These cells also serve in brain-on-chip systems, CRISPR-based functional genomics, and investigations of neuroinflammation (e.g., microglia-neuron interactions). iPSC-derived variants allow patient-specific studies of genetic disorders.