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Hidalgo-Alvarez V, Madl CM. Leveraging Biomaterial Platforms to Study Aging-Related Neural and Muscular Degeneration. Biomolecules 2024; 14:69. [PMID: 38254669 PMCID: PMC10813704 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is a complex multifactorial process that results in tissue function impairment across the whole organism. One of the common consequences of this process is the loss of muscle mass and the associated decline in muscle function, known as sarcopenia. Aging also presents with an increased risk of developing other pathological conditions such as neurodegeneration. Muscular and neuronal degeneration cause mobility issues and cognitive impairment, hence having a major impact on the quality of life of the older population. The development of novel therapies that can ameliorate the effects of aging is currently hindered by our limited knowledge of the underlying mechanisms and the use of models that fail to recapitulate the structure and composition of the cell microenvironment. The emergence of bioengineering techniques based on the use of biomimetic materials and biofabrication methods has opened the possibility of generating 3D models of muscular and nervous tissues that better mimic the native extracellular matrix. These platforms are particularly advantageous for drug testing and mechanistic studies. In this review, we discuss the developments made in the creation of 3D models of aging-related neuronal and muscular degeneration and we provide a perspective on the future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher M. Madl
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
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2
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Patil V, Bohara R, Krishna Kanala V, McMahon S, Pandit A. Models and approaches to comprehend and address glial inflammation following spinal cord injury. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103722. [PMID: 37482236 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) culminates in chronic inflammation and glial scar formation driven by the activation of microglia and astrocytes. Current anti-inflammatory strategies to treat glial activation associated with SCI have several limitations. Existing in vitro and ex vivo models studying molecular mechanisms associated with inflammation focus only on the acute phase. However, the progression of glial cell-derived inflammation over the acute-to-chronic phases has not been assessed. Understanding this progression will help establish a framework for evaluating therapeutic strategies. Additionally, new models could be useful as high-throughput screening (HTS) platforms. This review aims to highlight currently available models and future methods that could facilitate screening of novel therapeutics for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Patil
- CÚRAM, SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Raghvendra Bohara
- CÚRAM, SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Vijaya Krishna Kanala
- CÚRAM, SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Siobhan McMahon
- Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Abhay Pandit
- CÚRAM, SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
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Astolfi G, Ciavarella C, Valente S, Coslovi C, Iannetta D, Fontana L, Pasquinelli G, Versura P. Human glial müller and umbilical vein endothelial cell coculture as an in vitro model to investigate retinal oxidative damage. A morphological and molecular assessment. Microsc Res Tech 2023; 86:439-451. [PMID: 36579625 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to optimize a coculture in vitro model established between the human Müller glial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, mimicking the inner blood-retinal barrier, and to explore its resistance to damage induced by oxidative stress. A spontaneously immortalized human Müller cell line MIO-M1 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were plated together at a density ratio 1:1 and maintained up to the 8th passage (p8). The MIO-M1/HUVECs p1 through p8 were treated with increasing concentrations (range 200-800 μM) of H2 O2 to evaluate oxidative stress induced damage and comparing data with single cell cultures. The following features were assayed p1 through p8: doubling time maintenance, cell viability using MTS assay, ultrastructure of cell-cell contacts, immunofluorescence for Vimentin and GFAP, molecular biology (q-PCR) for GFAP and CD31 mRNA. MIO-M1/HUVECs cocultures maintained distinct cell cytotype up to p8 as shown by flow cytometry analysis, without evidence of cross activation, displaying cell-cell tight junctions mimicking those found in human retina, only acquiring a slight resistance to oxidative stress induction over the passages. This MIO-M1/HUVECs coculture represents a simple, reproducible and affordable model for in vitro studies on oxidative stress-induced retinal damages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Astolfi
- Ophthalmology Unit, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmen Ciavarella
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Valente
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Coslovi
- Ophthalmology Unit, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
| | - Danilo Iannetta
- Ophthalmology Unit, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
| | - Luigi Fontana
- Ophthalmology Unit, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
| | - Piera Versura
- Ophthalmology Unit, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
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Hebisch M, Klostermeier S, Wolf K, Boccaccini AR, Wolf SE, Tanzi RE, Kim DY. The Impact of the Cellular Environment and Aging on Modeling Alzheimer's Disease in 3D Cell Culture Models. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2205037. [PMID: 36642841 PMCID: PMC10015857 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Creating a cellular model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that accurately recapitulates disease pathology has been a longstanding challenge. Recent studies showed that human AD neural cells, integrated into three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel matrix, display key features of AD neuropathology. Like in the human brain, the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in determining the rate of neuropathogenesis in hydrogel-based 3D cellular models. Aging, the greatest risk factor for AD, significantly alters brain ECM properties. Therefore, it is important to understand how age-associated changes in ECM affect accumulation of pathogenic molecules, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration in AD patients and in vitro models. In this review, mechanistic hypotheses is presented to address the impact of the ECM properties and their changes with aging on AD and AD-related dementias. Altered ECM characteristics in aged brains, including matrix stiffness, pore size, and composition, will contribute to disease pathogenesis by modulating the accumulation, propagation, and spreading of pathogenic molecules of AD. Emerging hydrogel-based disease models with differing ECM properties provide an exciting opportunity to study the impact of brain ECM aging on AD pathogenesis, providing novel mechanistic insights. Understanding the role of ECM aging in AD pathogenesis should also improve modeling AD in 3D hydrogel systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Hebisch
- Genetics and Aging Research UnitMcCance Center for Brain health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative DiseaseMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolCharlestownMA02129USA
| | - Stefanie Klostermeier
- Institute of Medical PhysicsFriedrich‐Alexander Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg91052ErlangenGermany
- Max‐Planck‐Zentrum für Physik und Medizin91054ErlangenGermany
| | - Katharina Wolf
- Department of Medicine 1Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg91054ErlangenGermany
| | - Aldo R. Boccaccini
- Institute of BiomaterialsDepartment of Materials Science and EngineeringFriedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg91058ErlangenGermany
| | - Stephan E. Wolf
- Institute of Glass and CeramicsDepartment of Materials Science and EngineeringFriedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg91058ErlangenGermany
| | - Rudolph E. Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research UnitMcCance Center for Brain health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative DiseaseMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolCharlestownMA02129USA
| | - Doo Yeon Kim
- Genetics and Aging Research UnitMcCance Center for Brain health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative DiseaseMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolCharlestownMA02129USA
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Nanotopography and Microconfinement Impact on Primary Hippocampal Astrocyte Morphology, Cytoskeleton and Spontaneous Calcium Wave Signalling. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020293. [PMID: 36672231 PMCID: PMC9856934 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes' organisation affects the functioning and the fine morphology of the brain, both in physiological and pathological contexts. Although many aspects of their role have been characterised, their complex functions remain, to a certain extent, unclear with respect to their contribution to brain cell communication. Here, we studied the effects of nanotopography and microconfinement on primary hippocampal rat astrocytes. For this purpose, we fabricated nanostructured zirconia surfaces as homogenous substrates and as micrometric patterns, the latter produced by a combination of an additive nanofabrication and micropatterning technique. These engineered substrates reproduce both nanotopographical features and microscale geometries that astrocytes encounter in their natural environment, such as basement membrane topography, as well as blood vessels and axonal fibre topology. The impact of restrictive adhesion manifests in the modulation of several cellular properties of single cells (morphological and actin cytoskeletal changes) and the network organisation and functioning. Calcium wave signalling was observed only in astrocytes grown in confined geometries, with an activity enhancement in cells forming elongated agglomerates with dimensions typical of blood vessels or axon fibres. Our results suggest that calcium oscillation and wave propagation are closely related to astrocytic morphology and actin cytoskeleton organisation.
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Lima R, Monteiro A, Salgado AJ, Monteiro S, Silva NA. Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches for Spinal Cord Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213833. [PMID: 36430308 PMCID: PMC9698625 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disabling condition that disrupts motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. Despite extensive research in the last decades, SCI continues to be a global health priority affecting thousands of individuals every year. The lack of effective therapeutic strategies for patients with SCI reflects its complex pathophysiology that leads to the point of no return in its function repair and regeneration capacity. Recently, however, several studies started to uncover the intricate network of mechanisms involved in SCI leading to the development of new therapeutic approaches. In this work, we present a detailed description of the physiology and anatomy of the spinal cord and the pathophysiology of SCI. Additionally, we provide an overview of different molecular strategies that demonstrate promising potential in the modulation of the secondary injury events that promote neuroprotection or neuroregeneration. We also briefly discuss other emerging therapies, including cell-based therapies, biomaterials, and epidural electric stimulation. A successful therapy might target different pathologic events to control the progression of secondary damage of SCI and promote regeneration leading to functional recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Lima
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s Associate Laboratory, PT Government Associated Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Andreia Monteiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s Associate Laboratory, PT Government Associated Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António J. Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s Associate Laboratory, PT Government Associated Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Susana Monteiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s Associate Laboratory, PT Government Associated Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno A. Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s Associate Laboratory, PT Government Associated Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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7
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Li X, Zhang X, Hao M, Wang D, Jiang Z, Sun L, Gao Y, Jin Y, Lei P, Zhuo Y. The application of collagen in the repair of peripheral nerve defect. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:973301. [PMID: 36213073 PMCID: PMC9542778 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.973301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagen is a natural polymer expressed in the extracellular matrix of the peripheral nervous system. It has become increasingly crucial in peripheral nerve reconstruction as it was involved in regulating Schwann cell behaviors, maintaining peripheral nerve functions during peripheral nerve development, and being strongly upregulated after nerve injury to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. Moreover, its biological properties, such as low immunogenicity, excellent biocompatibility, and biodegradability make it a suitable biomaterial for peripheral nerve repair. Collagen provides a suitable microenvironment to support Schwann cells’ growth, proliferation, and migration, thereby improving the regeneration and functional recovery of peripheral nerves. This review aims to summarize the characteristics of collagen as a biomaterial, analyze its role in peripheral nerve regeneration, and provide a detailed overview of the recent advances concerning the optimization of collagen nerve conduits in terms of physical properties and structure, as well as the application of the combination with the bioactive component in peripheral nerve regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Li
- Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Hao
- School of Acupuncture-Moxi Bustion and Tuina, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dongxu Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ziping Jiang
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Liqun Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yongjian Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ye Jin
- Department of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Peng Lei
- Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Peng Lei, ; Yue Zhuo,
| | - Yue Zhuo
- School of Acupuncture-Moxi Bustion and Tuina, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Peng Lei, ; Yue Zhuo,
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8
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Agarwal G, Roy A, Kumar H, Srivastava A. Graphene-collagen cryogel controls neuroinflammation and fosters accelerated axonal regeneration in spinal cord injury. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2022; 139:212971. [PMID: 35882128 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.212971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition resulting in loss of motor function. The pathology of SCI is multifaceted and involves a cascade of events, including neuroinflammation and neuronal degeneration at the epicenter, limiting repair process. We developed a supermacroporous, mechanically elastic, electro-conductive, graphene crosslinked collagen (Gr-Col) cryogels for the regeneration of the spinal cord post-injury. The effects of graphene in controlling astrocytes reactivity and microglia polarization are evaluated in spinal cord slice organotypic culture and rat spinal cord lateral hemisection model of SCI. In our work, the application of external electric stimulus results in the enhanced expression of neuronal markers in an organotypic culture. The implantation of Gr-Col cryogels in rat thoracic T9-T11 hemisection model demonstrates an improved functional recovery within 14 days post-injury (DPI), promoted myelination, and decreases the lesion volume at the injury site. Decrease in the expression of STAT3 in the implanted Gr-Col cryogels may be responsible for the decrease in astrocytes reactivity. Microglia cells within the implanted cryogels shows higher anti-inflammatory phenotype (M2) than inflammatory (M1) phenotype. The higher expression of mature axonal markers like β-tubulin III, GAP43, doublecortin, and neurofilament 200 in the implanted Gr-Col cryogel confirms the axonal regeneration after 28 DPI. Gr-Col cryogels also modulate the production of ECM matrix, favouring the axonal regeneration. This study shows that Gr-Col cryogels decreases neuroinflammation and accelerate axonal regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopal Agarwal
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Educational and Research, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Abhishek Roy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Educational and Research, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Hemant Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Educational and Research, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, India.
| | - Akshay Srivastava
- Department of Medical Device, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Educational and Research, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, India.
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Characterization and structure-property relationships of an injectable thiol-Michael addition hydrogel toward compatibility with glioblastoma therapy. Acta Biomater 2022; 144:266-278. [PMID: 35296443 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain cancer and although patients undergo surgery and chemoradiotherapy, residual cancer cells still migrate to healthy brain tissue and lead to tumor relapse after treatment. New therapeutic strategies are therefore urgently needed to better mitigate this tumor recurrence. To address this need, we envision after surgical removal of the tumor, implantable biomaterials in the resection cavity can treat or collect residual GBM cells for their subsequent eradication. To this end, we systematically characterized a poly(ethylene glycol)-based injectable hydrogel crosslinked via a thiol-Michael addition reaction by tuning its hydration level and aqueous NaHCO3 concentration. The physical and chemical properties of the different formulations were investigated by assessing the strength and stability of the polymer networks and their swelling behavior. The hydrogel biocompatibility was assessed by performing in vitro cytotoxicity assays, immunoassays, and immunocytochemistry to monitor the reactivity of astrocytes cultured on the hydrogel surface over time. These characterization studies revealed key structure-property relationships. Furthermore, the results indicated hydrogels synthesized with 0.175 M NaHCO3 and 50 wt% water content swelled the least, possessed a storage modulus that can withstand high intracranial pressures while avoiding a mechanical mismatch, had a sufficiently crosslinked polymer network, and did not degrade rapidly. This formulation was not cytotoxic to astrocytes and produced minimal immunogenic responses in vitro. These properties suggest this hydrogel formulation is the most optimal for implantation in the resection cavity and compatible toward GBM therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Survival times for glioblastoma patients have not improved significantly over the last several decades, as cancer cells remain after conventional therapies and form secondary tumors. We characterized a biodegradable, injectable hydrogel to reveal structure-property relationships that can be tuned to conform the hydrogel toward glioblastoma therapy. Nine formulations were systematically characterized to optimize the hydrogel based on physical, chemical, and biological compatibility with the glioblastoma microenvironment. This hydrogel can potentially be used for adjuvant therapy to glioblastoma treatment, such as by providing a source of molecular release for therapeutic agents, which will be investigated in future work. The optimized formulation will be developed further to capture and eradicate glioblastoma cells with chemical and physical stimuli in future research.
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Samanipour R, Tahmooressi H, Rezaei Nejad H, Hirano M, Shin SR, Hoorfar M. A review on 3D printing functional brain model. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2022; 16:011501. [PMID: 35145569 PMCID: PMC8816519 DOI: 10.1063/5.0074631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Modern neuroscience increasingly relies on 3D models to study neural circuitry, nerve regeneration, and neural disease. Several different biofabrication approaches have been explored to create 3D neural tissue model structures. Among them, 3D bioprinting has shown to have great potential to emerge as a high-throughput/high precision biofabrication strategy that can address the growing need for 3D neural models. Here, we have reviewed the design principles for neural tissue engineering. The main challenge to adapt printing technologies for biofabrication of neural tissue models is the development of neural bioink, i.e., a biomaterial with printability and gelation properties and also suitable for neural tissue culture. This review shines light on a vast range of biomaterials as well as the fundamentals of 3D neural tissue printing. Also, advances in 3D bioprinting technologies are reviewed especially for bioprinted neural models. Finally, the techniques used to evaluate the fabricated 2D and 3D neural models are discussed and compared in terms of feasibility and functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hamed Tahmooressi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Hojatollah Rezaei Nejad
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Tufts University, 161 College Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | | | - Su-Royn Shin
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
| | - Mina Hoorfar
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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11
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Nicaise AM, D'Angelo A, Ionescu RB, Krzak G, Willis CM, Pluchino S. The role of neural stem cells in regulating glial scar formation and repair. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 387:399-414. [PMID: 34820704 PMCID: PMC8975756 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03554-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Glial scars are a common pathological occurrence in a variety of central nervous system (CNS) diseases and injuries. They are caused after severe damage and consist of reactive glia that form a barrier around the damaged tissue that leads to a non-permissive microenvironment which prevents proper endogenous regeneration. While there are a number of therapies that are able to address some components of disease, there are none that provide regenerative properties. Within the past decade, neural stem cells (NSCs) have been heavily studied due to their potent anti-inflammatory and reparative capabilities in disease and injury. Exogenously applied NSCs have been found to aid in glial scar healing by reducing inflammation and providing cell replacement. However, endogenous NSCs have also been found to contribute to the reactive environment by different means. Further understanding how NSCs can be leveraged to aid in the resolution of the glial scar is imperative in the use of these cells as regenerative therapies. To do so, humanised 3D model systems have been developed to study the development and maintenance of the glial scar. Herein, we explore the current work on endogenous and exogenous NSCs in the glial scar as well as the novel 3D stem cell–based technologies being used to model this pathology in a dish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Nicaise
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Andrea D'Angelo
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rosana-Bristena Ionescu
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Grzegorz Krzak
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cory M Willis
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stefano Pluchino
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Yoon JK, Kim J, Shah Z, Awasthi A, Mahajan A, Kim Y. Advanced Human BBB-on-a-Chip: A New Platform for Alzheimer's Disease Studies. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2002285. [PMID: 34075728 PMCID: PMC8349886 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202002285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a unique vascular structure that serves as a molecular transport gateway for the maintenance of brain homeostasis. Chronic disruption or breakdown of the BBB reportedly leads to neurodegenerative diseases. Nonetheless, research on human BBB pathophysiology and drug development remains highly dependent on studies using inherently different animals. Moreover, more studies have shown that animal models are not appropriate in modeling Alzheimer's disease (AD), underlining the importance of in vitro models of the human BBB with physiological relevance. In this review, recent advances in human BBB-on-a-chip technologies are highlighted and their potential for pathogenesis studies and drug prescreening for AD treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Kee Yoon
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Jaehoon Kim
- Mepsgen Co. Ltd., Seoul, 05836, Republic of Korea
| | - Zachary Shah
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Ashi Awasthi
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Advay Mahajan
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - YongTae Kim
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Mepsgen Co. Ltd., Seoul, 05836, Republic of Korea
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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13
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Song G, Zhao M, Chen H, Zhou X, Lenahan C, Ou Y, He Y. The Application of Brain Organoid Technology in Stroke Research: Challenges and Prospects. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:646921. [PMID: 34234646 PMCID: PMC8257041 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.646921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a neurological disease responsible for significant morbidity and disability worldwide. However, there remains a dearth of effective therapies. The failure of many therapies for stroke in clinical trials has promoted the development of human cell-based models, such as brain organoids. Brain organoids differ from pluripotent stem cells in that they recapitulate various key features of the human central nervous system (CNS) in three-dimensional (3D) space. Recent studies have demonstrated that brain organoids could serve as a new platform to study various neurological diseases. However, there are several limitations, such as the scarcity of glia and vasculature in organoids, which are important for studying stroke. Herein, we have summarized the application of brain organoid technology in stroke research, such as for modeling and transplantation purposes. We also discuss methods to overcome the limitations of brain organoid technology, as well as future prospects for its application in stroke research. Although there are many difficulties and challenges associated with brain organoid technology, it is clear that this approach will play a critical role in the future exploration of stroke treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guini Song
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hanmin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangyue Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Cameron Lenahan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - Yibo Ou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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14
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Marinval N, Chew SY. Mechanotransduction assays for neural regeneration strategies: A focus on glial cells. APL Bioeng 2021; 5:021505. [PMID: 33948526 PMCID: PMC8088332 DOI: 10.1063/5.0037814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Glial cells are mechanosensitive, and thus, engineered systems have taken a step forward to design mechanotransduction platforms in order to impart diverse mechanical stresses to cells. Mechanical strain encountered in the central nervous system can arise from diverse mechanisms, such as tissue reorganization, fluid flow, and axon growth, as well as pathological events including axon swelling or mechanical trauma. Biomechanical relevance of the in vitro mechanical testing requires to be placed in line with the physiological and mechanical changes in central nervous tissues that occur during the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Mechanotransduction signaling utilized by glial cells and the recent approaches intended to model altered microenvironment adapted to pathological context are discussed in this review. New insights in systems merging substrate's stiffness and topography should be considered for further glial mechanotransduction studies, while testing platforms for drug discoveries promise great advancements in pharmacotherapy. Potential leads and strategies for clinical outcomes are expected to be developed following the exploration of these glial mechanosensitive signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Marinval
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637459
| | - Sing Yian Chew
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: . Tel.: +65 6316 8812. Fax: +65 6794 7553
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15
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Kajtez J, Nilsson F, Fiorenzano A, Parmar M, Emnéus J. 3D biomaterial models of human brain disease. Neurochem Int 2021; 147:105043. [PMID: 33887378 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Inherent limitations of the traditional approaches to study brain function and disease, such as rodent models and 2D cell culture platforms, have led to the development of 3D in vitro cell culture systems. These systems, products of multidisciplinary efforts encompassing stem cell biology, materials engineering, and biofabrication, have quickly shown great potential to mimic biochemical composition, structural properties, and cellular morphology and diversity found in the native brain tissue. Crucial to these developments have been the advancements in stem cell technology and cell reprogramming protocols that allow reproducible generation of human subtype-specific neurons and glia in laboratory conditions. At the same time, biomaterials have been designed to provide cells in 3D with a microenvironment that mimics functional and structural aspects of the native extracellular matrix with increasing fidelity. In this article, we review the use of biomaterials in 3D in vitro models of neurological disorders with focus on hydrogel technology and with biochemical composition and physical properties of the in vivo environment as reference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janko Kajtez
- Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Division of Neurobiology and Lund Stem Cell Center, BMC A11, Lund University, Lund, S-22184, Sweden.
| | - Fredrik Nilsson
- Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Division of Neurobiology and Lund Stem Cell Center, BMC A11, Lund University, Lund, S-22184, Sweden
| | - Alessandro Fiorenzano
- Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Division of Neurobiology and Lund Stem Cell Center, BMC A11, Lund University, Lund, S-22184, Sweden
| | - Malin Parmar
- Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Division of Neurobiology and Lund Stem Cell Center, BMC A11, Lund University, Lund, S-22184, Sweden
| | - Jenny Emnéus
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering), Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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16
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Cui ZK, Li SY, Liao K, Wang ZJ, Guo YL, Tang LS, Tang SB, Ma JH, Chen JS. Characteristics of neural growth and cryopreservation of the dorsal root ganglion using three-dimensional collagen hydrogel culture versus conventional culture. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1856-1864. [PMID: 33510093 PMCID: PMC8328787 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.306097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, most somatosensory pathways begin with the activation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The development of an appropriate DRG culture method is a prerequisite for establishing in vitro peripheral nerve disease models and for screening therapeutic drugs. In this study, we compared the changes in morphology, molecular biology, and transcriptomics of chicken embryo DRG cultured on tissue culture plates (T-DRG) versus three-dimensional collagen hydrogels (C-DRG). Our results showed that after 7 days of culture, the transcriptomics of T-DRG and C-DRG were quite different. The upregulated genes in C-DRG were mainly related to neurogenesis, axon guidance, and synaptic plasticity, whereas the downregulated genes in C-DRG were mainly related to cell proliferation and cell division. In addition, the genes related to cycles/pathways such as the synaptic vesicle cycle, cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling pathway, and calcium signaling pathway were activated, while those related to cell-cycle pathways were downregulated. Furthermore, neurogenesis- and myelination-related genes were highly expressed in C-DRG, while epithelial–mesenchymal transition-, apoptosis-, and cell division-related genes were suppressed. Morphological results indicated that the numbers of branches, junctions, and end-point voxels per C-DRG were significantly greater than those per T-DRG. Furthermore, cells were scattered in T-DRG and more concentrated in C-DRG, with a higher ratio of 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU)-positive cells in T-DRG compared with C-DRG. C-DRG also had higher S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) and lower α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression than T-DRG, and contained fewer terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells after 48 hours of serum starvation. After cryopreservation, C-DRG maintained more intact morphological characteristics, and had higher viability and less TUNEL-positive cells than T-DRG. Furthermore, newly formed nerve bundles were able to grow along the existing Schwann cells in C-DRG. These results suggest that C-DRG may be a promising in vitro culture model, with better nerve growth and anti-apoptotic ability, quiescent Schwann cells, and higher viability. Results from this study provide a reference for the construction, storage, and transportation of tissue-engineered nerves. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, China (approval No. 2020-IRB16), on March 15, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Kai Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Aier Eye Institute; Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Shen-Yang Li
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Kai Liao
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhi-Jie Wang
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yong-Long Guo
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University; Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University; Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Luo-Sheng Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Shi-Bo Tang
- Aier Eye Institute; Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province; CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jacey Hongjie Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, Hunan Province; Imaging and Functional Center, Guangzhou Aier Eye Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jian-Su Chen
- Aier Eye Institute; Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province; Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Jinan University; Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University; Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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17
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Franklin H, Clarke BE, Patani R. Astrocytes and microglia in neurodegenerative diseases: Lessons from human in vitro models. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 200:101973. [PMID: 33309801 PMCID: PMC8052192 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes and microglia key fulfil homeostatic and immune functions in the CNS. Dysfunction of these cell types is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding cellular autonomy and early pathogenic changes is a key goal. New human iPSC models will inform on disease mechanisms and therapy development.
Both astrocytes and microglia fulfil homeostatic and immune functions in the healthy CNS. Dysfunction of these cell types have been implicated in the pathomechanisms of several neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the cellular autonomy and early pathological changes in these cell types may inform drug screening and therapy development. While animal models and post-mortem tissue have been invaluable in understanding disease processes, the advent of human in vitro models provides a unique insight into disease biology as a manipulable model system obtained directly from patients. Here, we discuss the different human in vitro models of astrocytes and microglia and outline the phenotypes that have been recapitulated in these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Franklin
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Benjamin E Clarke
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Rickie Patani
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.
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18
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Balouch B, Funnell JL, Ziemba AM, Puhl DL, Lin K, Gottipati MK, Gilbert RJ. Conventional immunomarkers stain a fraction of astrocytes in vitro: A comparison of rat cortical and spinal cord astrocytes in naïve and stimulated cultures. J Neurosci Res 2020; 99:806-826. [PMID: 33295039 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes are responsible for a wide variety of essential functions throughout the central nervous system. The protein markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST), glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1), glutamine synthetase (GS), 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (ALDH1L1), and the transcription factor SOX9 are routinely used to label astrocytes in primary rodent cultures. However, GLAST, GLT-1, GS, and SOX9 are also produced by microglia and oligodendrocytes and GFAP, GLAST, GLT-1, and GS production levels are affected by astrocyte phenotypic changes associated with reactive astrogliosis. No group has performed a comprehensive immunocytochemical evaluation to quantify the percentage of cells labeled by these markers in vitro, nor compared changes in staining between cortex- and spinal cord-derived cells in naïve and stimulated cultures. Here, we quantified the percentage of cells positively stained for these six markers in astrocyte, microglia, and oligodendrocyte cultures isolated from neonatal rat cortices and spinal cords. Additionally, we incubated the astrocytes with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 or TGF-β3 to determine if the labeling of these markers is altered by these stimuli. We found that only SOX9 in cortical cultures and ALDH1L1 in spinal cord cultures labeled more than 75% of the cells in naïve and stimulated astrocyte cultures and stained less than 5% of the cells in microglia and oligodendrocyte cultures. Furthermore, significantly more cortical than spinal cord astrocytes stained for GFAP, GLAST, and ALDH1L1 in naïve cultures, whereas significantly more spinal cord than cortical astrocytes stained for GLAST and GS in TGF-β1-treated cultures. These findings are important as variability in marker staining may lead to misinterpretation of the astrocyte response in cocultures, migration assays, or engineered disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey Balouch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.,Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jessica L Funnell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Alexis M Ziemba
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.,Neuroscience Program, Smith College, Northampton, MA, USA
| | - Devan L Puhl
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Kathy Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Manoj K Gottipati
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.,Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ryan J Gilbert
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
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19
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Jimenez-Vergara AC, Van Drunen R, Cagle T, Munoz-Pinto DJ. Modeling the effects of hyaluronic acid degradation on the regulation of human astrocyte phenotype using multicomponent interpenetrating polymer networks (mIPNs). Sci Rep 2020; 10:20734. [PMID: 33244148 PMCID: PMC7691997 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77655-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a highly abundant component in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and a fundamental element to the architecture and the physiology of the central nervous system (CNS). Often, HA degradation occurs when an overreactive inflammatory response, derived from tissue trauma or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, causes the ECM in the CNS to be remodeled. Herein, we studied the effects of HA content as a key regulator of human astrocyte (HAf) reactivity using multicomponent interpenetrating polymer networks (mIPNs) comprised of Collagen I, HA and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate. The selected platform facilities the modulation of HA levels independently of matrix rigidity. Total astrocytic processes length, number of endpoints, the expression of the quiescent markers: Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family Member L1 (ALDH1L1) and Glutamate Aspartate Transporter (GLAST); the reactive markers: Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and S100 Calcium-Binding Protein β (S100β); and the inflammatory markers: Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS), Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFα), were assessed. Cumulatively, our results demonstrated that the decrease in HA concentration elicited a reduction in the total length of astrocytic processes and an increase in the expression of HAf reactive and inflammatory markers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel Van Drunen
- Neuroscience Program, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, 78212, USA
| | - Tyler Cagle
- Neuroscience Program, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, 78212, USA
| | - Dany J Munoz-Pinto
- Engineering Science Department, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, 78212, USA.
- Neuroscience Program, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, 78212, USA.
- Department of Engineering Science, Neuroscience Program, Center for the Sciences and Innovation, CSI 470C, Trinity University, One Trinity Place, San Antonio, TX, 78212, USA.
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20
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Ouyang L, Armstrong JPK, Lin Y, Wojciechowski JP, Lee-Reeves C, Hachim D, Zhou K, Burdick JA, Stevens MM. Expanding and optimizing 3D bioprinting capabilities using complementary network bioinks. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eabc5529. [PMID: 32948593 PMCID: PMC7500929 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc5529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
A major challenge in three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is the limited number of bioinks that fulfill the physicochemical requirements of printing while also providing a desirable environment for encapsulated cells. Here, we address this limitation by temporarily stabilizing bioinks with a complementary thermo-reversible gelatin network. This strategy enables the effective printing of biomaterials that would typically not meet printing requirements, with instrument parameters and structural output largely independent of the base biomaterial. This approach is demonstrated across a library of photocrosslinkable bioinks derived from natural and synthetic polymers, including gelatin, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, dextran, alginate, chitosan, heparin, and poly(ethylene glycol). A range of complex and heterogeneous structures are printed, including soft hydrogel constructs supporting the 3D culture of astrocytes. This highly generalizable methodology expands the palette of available bioinks, allowing the biofabrication of constructs optimized to meet the biological requirements of cell culture and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliang Ouyang
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - James P K Armstrong
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Yiyang Lin
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Jonathan P Wojciechowski
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Charlotte Lee-Reeves
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Daniel Hachim
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Kun Zhou
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Jason A Burdick
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Molly M Stevens
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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21
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Motallebnejad P, Thomas A, Swisher SL, Azarin SM. An isogenic hiPSC-derived BBB-on-a-chip. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2019; 13:064119. [PMID: 31768205 PMCID: PMC6874510 DOI: 10.1063/1.5123476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) that regulate brain homeostasis, and astrocytes within the brain are involved in the maintenance of the BBB or modulation of its integrity in disease states via secreted factors. A major challenge in modeling the normal or diseased BBB is that conventional in vitro models lack either the physiological complexity of the BBB or key functional features such as formation of a sufficiently tight barrier. In this study, we utilized human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived BMECs in a BBB-on-a-chip device that supports flow and coculture with an astrocyte-laden 3D hydrogel. The BMECs are separated from the hydrogel by a porous membrane with either 0.4 or 8.0 μm pore size, making the device suitable for studying the transport of molecules or cells, respectively, across the BBB. In addition, all cells seeded in the device are differentiated from the same hiPSC line, which could enable genetic and rare disease modeling. Formation of a confluent BMEC barrier was confirmed by immunocytochemistry of tight junction proteins and measurement of fluorescein permeability. Integrity of the barrier was further assessed by performing impedance spectroscopy in the device. Finally, the ability of this device to recapitulate a disease model of BBB disruption was demonstrated, with apical addition of TGF-β1 leading to transendothelial electrical resistance reduction and indicators of astrocyte activation. These results demonstrate the utility of the fabricated device for a broad range of applications such as drug screening and mechanistic studies of BBB disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedram Motallebnejad
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Andrew Thomas
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Sarah L. Swisher
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Samira M. Azarin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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22
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Lee H, Phillips JB, Hall RM, Tipper JL. Neural cell responses to wear debris from metal-on-metal total disc replacements. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2019; 29:2701-2712. [PMID: 31664570 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-019-06177-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Total disc replacements, comprising all-metal articulations, are compromised by wear and particle production. Metallic wear debris and ions trigger a range of biological responses including inflammation, genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, hypersensitivity and pseudotumour formation, therefore we hypothesise that, due to proximity to the spinal cord, glial cells may be adversely affected. METHODS Clinically relevant cobalt chrome (CoCr) and stainless steel (SS) wear particles were generated using a six-station pin-on-plate wear simulator. The effects of metallic particles (0.5-50 μm3 debris per cell) and metal ions on glial cell viability, cellular activity (glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression) and DNA integrity were investigated in 2D and 3D culture using live/dead, immunocytochemistry and a comet assay, respectively. RESULTS CoCr wear particles and ions caused significant reductions in glial cell viability in both 2D and 3D culture systems. Stainless steel particles did not affect glial cell viability or astrocyte activation. In contrast, ions released from SS caused significant reductions in glial cell viability, an effect that was especially noticeable when astrocytes were cultured in isolation without microglia. DNA damage was observed in both cell types and with both biomaterials tested. CoCr wear particles had a dose-dependent effect on astrocyte activation, measured through expression of GFAP. CONCLUSIONS The results from this study suggest that microglia influence the effects that metal particles have on astrocytes, that SS ions and particles play a role in the adverse effects observed and that SS is a less toxic biomaterial than CoCr alloy for use in spinal devices. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Lee
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - J B Phillips
- UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - R M Hall
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Joanne L Tipper
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. .,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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23
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Dagro A, Rajbhandari L, Orrego S, Kang SH, Venkatesan A, Ramesh KT. Quantifying the Local Mechanical Properties of Cells in a Fibrous Three-Dimensional Microenvironment. Biophys J 2019; 117:817-828. [PMID: 31421835 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Measurements of the mechanical response of biological cells are critical for understanding injury and disease, for developing diagnostic tools, and for computational models in mechanobiology. Although it is well known that cells are sensitive to the topography of their microenvironment, the current paradigm in mechanical testing of adherent cells is mostly limited to specimens grown on flat two-dimensional substrates. In this study, we introduce a technique in which cellular indentation via optical trapping is performed on cells at a high spatial resolution to obtain their regional mechanical properties while they exist in a more favorable three-dimensional microenvironment. We combine our approach with nonlinear contact mechanics theory to consider the effects of a large deformation. This allows us to probe length scales that are relevant for obtaining overall cell stiffness values. The experimental results herein provide the hyperelastic material properties at both high (∼100 s-1) and low (∼1-10 s-1) strain rates of murine central nervous system glial cells. The limitations due to possible misalignment of the indenter in the three-dimensional space are examined using a computational model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Dagro
- U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
| | | | - Santiago Orrego
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sung Hoon Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Arun Venkatesan
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kaliat T Ramesh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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Sandvig A, Sandvig I. Connectomics of Morphogenetically Engineered Neurons as a Predictor of Functional Integration in the Ischemic Brain. Front Neurol 2019; 10:630. [PMID: 31249553 PMCID: PMC6582372 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in cell reprogramming technologies enable the in vitro generation of theoretically unlimited numbers of cells, including cells of neural lineage and specific neuronal subtypes from human, including patient-specific, somatic cells. Similarly, as demonstrated in recent animal studies, by applying morphogenetic neuroengineering principles in situ, it is possible to reprogram resident brain cells to the desired phenotype. These developments open new exciting possibilities for cell replacement therapy in stroke, albeit not without caveats. Main challenges include the successful integration of engineered cells in the ischemic brain to promote functional restoration as well as the fact that the underlying mechanisms of action are not fully understood. In this review, we aim to provide new insights to the above in the context of connectomics of morphogenetically engineered neural networks. Specifically, we discuss the relevance of combining advanced interdisciplinary approaches to: validate the functionality of engineered neurons by studying their self-organizing behavior into neural networks as well as responses to stroke-related pathology in vitro; derive structural and functional connectomes from these networks in healthy and perturbed conditions; and identify and extract key elements regulating neural network dynamics, which might predict the behavior of grafted engineered neurons post-transplantation in the stroke-injured brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Sandvig
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Neurology, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neuro, Head, and Neck, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ioanna Sandvig
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Mobini S, Song YH, McCrary MW, Schmidt CE. Advances in ex vivo models and lab-on-a-chip devices for neural tissue engineering. Biomaterials 2019; 198:146-166. [PMID: 29880219 PMCID: PMC6957334 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The technologies related to ex vivo models and lab-on-a-chip devices for studying the regeneration of brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve tissues are essential tools for neural tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research. The need for ex vivo systems, lab-on-a-chip technologies and disease models for neural tissue engineering applications are emerging to overcome the shortages and drawbacks of traditional in vitro systems and animal models. Ex vivo models have evolved from traditional 2D cell culture models to 3D tissue-engineered scaffold systems, bioreactors, and recently organoid test beds. In addition to ex vivo model systems, we discuss lab-on-a-chip devices and technologies specifically for neural tissue engineering applications. Finally, we review current commercial products that mimic diseased and normal neural tissues, and discuss the future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahba Mobini
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Young Hye Song
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Michaela W McCrary
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christine E Schmidt
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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26
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Kim HN, Choi N. Consideration of the Mechanical Properties of Hydrogels for Brain Tissue Engineering and Brain-on-a-chip. BIOCHIP JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s13206-018-3101-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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27
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Zhao H, Sun P, Fan T, Yang X, Zheng T, Sun C. The effect of glutamate-induced excitotoxicity on DNA methylation in astrocytes in a new in vitro neuron-astrocyte-endothelium co-culture system. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 508:1209-1214. [PMID: 30558794 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.12.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity is a contributer to many neurological diseases. Astrocytes may represent a new target for treating glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. However, the in vitro culture system that mimics the in vivo microenvironment is lacking. This study aimed to establish a new in vitro co-culture system including neurons, astrocytes, and endothelial cells (NAE), and to investigate the effect of glutamate-induced excitotoxicity on DNA methylation in astrocytes. A NAE co-culture method was created using a Transwell chamber, in which neurons were seeded on the bottom of the lower chamber, endothelial cells were plated on the top membrane, and astrocytes were plated on the bottom membrane of the insert. Glutamate-induced toxicity was induced using glutamate and glycine, and examined using immunofluorescence and lactate dehydrogenase release assay. Global methylation in astrocytes was analyzed, and the expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3a was examined using Western blot analysis. Glutamate treatment induced less neuronal damage in the NAE system compared with the control group in which neurons and astrocytes were cultured alone. Global DNA methylation was increased and the expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3a in astrocytes was increased after glutamate treatment, which was blocked by application of the NMDAR inhibitor MK-801 and the DNMT inhibitor 5-azaC from the endothelial cells. The in vitro ANE culture system is effective for studying glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, and may be used for testing the passage of drugs across the blood-brain barrier. Inhibition of DNA methylation in astrocytes may be a new therapeutic strategy for treating glutamate-induced excitotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhao
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, Institute for Brain Disorders, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China; Research Center for the Control Engineering of Translational Precision Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China; State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian R&D Center for Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Pin Sun
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Tieping Fan
- Neurointerventional Department, Dalian Municipal Central Hospital Affiliated of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Xiaohan Yang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, Institute for Brain Disorders, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Tiezheng Zheng
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, Institute for Brain Disorders, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Changkai Sun
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, Institute for Brain Disorders, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China; Research Center for the Control Engineering of Translational Precision Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China; State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian R&D Center for Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China.
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28
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Zuidema JM, Gilbert RJ, Gottipati MK. Biomaterial Approaches to Modulate Reactive Astroglial Response. Cells Tissues Organs 2018; 205:372-395. [PMID: 30517922 PMCID: PMC6397084 DOI: 10.1159/000494667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over several decades, biomaterial scientists have developed materials to spur axonal regeneration and limit secondary injury and tested these materials within preclinical animal models. Rarely, though, are astrocytes examined comprehensively when biomaterials are placed into the injury site. Astrocytes support neuronal function in the central nervous system. Following an injury, astrocytes undergo reactive gliosis and create a glial scar. The astrocytic glial scar forms a dense barrier which restricts the extension of regenerating axons through the injury site. However, there are several beneficial effects of the glial scar, including helping to reform the blood-brain barrier, limiting the extent of secondary injury, and supporting the health of regenerating axons near the injury site. This review provides a brief introduction to the role of astrocytes in the spinal cord, discusses astrocyte phenotypic changes that occur following injury, and highlights studies that explored astrocyte changes in response to biomaterials tested within in vitro or in vivo environments. Overall, we suggest that in order to improve biomaterial designs for spinal cord injury applications, investigators should more thoroughly consider the astrocyte response to such designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Zuidema
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Ryan J Gilbert
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Manoj K Gottipati
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA,
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA,
- Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA,
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29
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Min SK, Shim HJ, Shin HS. 3D Astrogliosis Model with bFGF and GFAP Expression Profiles Corresponding to an MCAO-injured Brain. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-018-0207-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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30
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Orr MB, Gensel JC. Spinal Cord Injury Scarring and Inflammation: Therapies Targeting Glial and Inflammatory Responses. Neurotherapeutics 2018; 15:541-553. [PMID: 29717413 PMCID: PMC6095779 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-018-0631-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 339] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Deficits in neuronal function are a hallmark of spinal cord injury (SCI) and therapeutic efforts are often focused on central nervous system (CNS) axon regeneration. However, secondary injury responses by astrocytes, microglia, pericytes, endothelial cells, Schwann cells, fibroblasts, meningeal cells, and other glia not only potentiate SCI damage but also facilitate endogenous repair. Due to their profound impact on the progression of SCI, glial cells and modification of the glial scar are focuses of SCI therapeutic research. Within and around the glial scar, cells deposit extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that affect axon growth such as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), laminin, collagen, and fibronectin. This dense deposition of material, i.e., the fibrotic scar, is another barrier to endogenous repair and is a target of SCI therapies. Infiltrating neutrophils and monocytes are recruited to the injury site through glial chemokine and cytokine release and subsequent upregulation of chemotactic cellular adhesion molecules and selectins on endothelial cells. These peripheral immune cells, along with endogenous microglia, drive a robust inflammatory response to injury with heterogeneous reparative and pathological properties and are targeted for therapeutic modification. Here, we review the role of glial and inflammatory cells after SCI and the therapeutic strategies that aim to replace, dampen, or alter their activity to modulate SCI scarring and inflammation and improve injury outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B Orr
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 741 S. Limestone, B463 BBSRB, Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, USA
| | - John C Gensel
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 741 S. Limestone, B463 BBSRB, Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, USA.
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31
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Day AGE, Bhangra KS, Murray-Dunning C, Stevanato L, Phillips JB. The Effect of Hypothermic and Cryogenic Preservation on Engineered Neural Tissue. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2018; 23:575-582. [PMID: 28877649 PMCID: PMC5686450 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2017.0244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study explored different approaches to preserve engineered neural tissue (EngNT), a stabilized, cellular collagen hydrogel containing columns of aligned Schwann cells for nervous system repair. The ability to preserve EngNT without disrupting cellular and extracellular components and structures is important for clinical translation and commercialization. Stabilized cellular gels and EngNT constructs were preserved under various conditions and cell survival assessed using live/dead microscopy and metabolic assay. Optimal survival was recorded in hypothermic (4°C) conditions for 2–3 days using Hibernate®-A media and, for longer-term cryogenic storage (liquid nitrogen), using a mixture of 60% Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, 30% fetal bovine serum, and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide. Functionality and structure of preserved EngNT were assessed in coculture with dorsal root ganglion neurons, which indicated that alignment of Schwann cells and the ability of EngNT to support and guide neuronal regeneration were not disrupted. The identification of conditions that preserve EngNT will inform development of storage and transport methodologies to support clinical and commercial translation of this technology and other therapies based on cellular hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam G E Day
- 1 Department of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London , London, United Kingdom
| | - Kulraj Singh Bhangra
- 1 Department of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London , London, United Kingdom
| | - Celia Murray-Dunning
- 1 Department of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London , London, United Kingdom
| | | | - James B Phillips
- 1 Department of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London , London, United Kingdom
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32
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Tickle JA, Poptani H, Taylor A, Chari DM. Noninvasive imaging of nanoparticle-labeled transplant populations within polymer matrices for neural cell therapy. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2018; 13:1333-1348. [PMID: 29949467 PMCID: PMC6220152 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2017-0347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To develop a 3D neural cell construct for encapsulated delivery of transplant cells; develop hydrogels seeded with magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-labeled cells suitable for cell tracking by MRI. MATERIALS & METHODS Astrocytes were exogenously labeled with MRI-compatible iron-oxide MNPs prior to intra-construct incorporation within a 3D collagen hydrogel. RESULTS A connective, complex cellular network was clearly observable within the 3D constructs, with high cellular viability. MNP accumulation in astrocytes provided a hypointense MRI signal at 24 h & 14 days. CONCLUSION Our findings support the concept of developing a 3D construct possessing the dual advantages of (i) support of long-term cell survival of neural populations with (ii) the potential for noninvasive MRI-tracking of intra-construct cells for neuroregenerative applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline A Tickle
- Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Harish Poptani
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK
| | - Arthur Taylor
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK
| | - Divya M Chari
- Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, UK
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33
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Aebersold MJ, Thompson-Steckel G, Joutang A, Schneider M, Burchert C, Forró C, Weydert S, Han H, Vörös J. Simple and Inexpensive Paper-Based Astrocyte Co-culture to Improve Survival of Low-Density Neuronal Networks. Front Neurosci 2018. [PMID: 29535595 PMCID: PMC5835045 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bottom-up neuroscience aims to engineer well-defined networks of neurons to investigate the functions of the brain. By reducing the complexity of the brain to achievable target questions, such in vitro bioassays better control experimental variables and can serve as a versatile tool for fundamental and pharmacological research. Astrocytes are a cell type critical to neuronal function, and the addition of astrocytes to neuron cultures can improve the quality of in vitro assays. Here, we present cellulose as an astrocyte culture substrate. Astrocytes cultured on the cellulose fiber matrix thrived and formed a dense 3D network. We devised a novel co-culture platform by suspending the easy-to-handle astrocytic paper cultures above neuronal networks of low densities typically needed for bottom-up neuroscience. There was significant improvement in neuronal viability after 5 days in vitro at densities ranging from 50,000 cells/cm2 down to isolated cells at 1,000 cells/cm2. Cultures exhibited spontaneous spiking even at the very low densities, with a significantly greater spike frequency per cell compared to control mono-cultures. Applying the co-culture platform to an engineered network of neurons on a patterned substrate resulted in significantly improved viability and almost doubled the density of live cells. Lastly, the shape of the cellulose substrate can easily be customized to a wide range of culture vessels, making the platform versatile for different applications that will further enable research in bottom-up neuroscience and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias J Aebersold
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Greta Thompson-Steckel
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adriane Joutang
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Moritz Schneider
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Conrad Burchert
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Csaba Forró
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Serge Weydert
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hana Han
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - János Vörös
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
Understanding the mechanical behavior of human brain is critical to interpret the role of physical stimuli in both normal and pathological processes that occur in CNS tissue, such as development, inflammation, neurodegeneration, aging, and most common brain tumors. Despite clear evidence that mechanical cues influence both normal and transformed brain tissue activity as well as normal and transformed brain cell behavior, little is known about the links between mechanical signals and their biochemical and medical consequences. A multi-level approach from whole organ rheology to single cell mechanics is needed to understand the physical aspects of human brain function and its pathologies. This review summarizes the latest achievements in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Pogoda
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Paul A Janmey
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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35
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Development of a Platform for Studying 3D Astrocyte Mechanobiology: Compression of Astrocytes in Collagen Gels. Ann Biomed Eng 2017; 46:365-374. [DOI: 10.1007/s10439-017-1967-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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36
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Balasubramanian S, Packard JA, Leach JB, Powell EM. Three-Dimensional Environment Sustains Morphological Heterogeneity and Promotes Phenotypic Progression During Astrocyte Development. Tissue Eng Part A 2017; 22:885-98. [PMID: 27193766 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2016.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are critical for coordinating normal brain function by regulating brain metabolic homeostasis, synaptogenesis and neurotransmission, and blood-brain barrier permeability and maintenance. Dysregulation of normal astrocyte ontogeny contributes to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, epilepsies, and adverse responses to injury. To achieve these multiple essential roles, astrocyte phenotypes are regionally, morphologically, and functionally heterogeneous. Therefore, the best regenerative medicine strategies may require selective production of distinct astrocyte subpopulations at defined maturation levels. However, little is known about the mechanisms that direct astrocyte diversity or whether heterogeneity is represented in biomaterials. In vitro studies report lack of normal morphologies and overrepresentation of the glial scar type of reactive astrocyte morphology and expression of markers, questioning how well the in vitro astrocytes represent glia in vivo and whether in vitro tissue engineering methods are suitable for regenerative medicine applications. Our previous work with neurons suggests that the three-dimensional (3D) environment, when compared with standard two-dimensional (2D) substrate, yields cellular and molecular behaviors that more closely approximately normal ontogeny. To specifically study the effects of dimensionality, we used purified glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-expressing primary cerebral cortical astrocyte cultures from single pups and characterized the cellular maturation profiles in 2D and 3D milieu. We identified four morphological groups in vitro: round, bipolar, stellate, and putative perivascular. In the 3D hydrogel culture environment, postnatal astrocytes transitioned from a population of nearly all round cells and very few bipolar cells toward a population with significant fractions of round, stellate, and putative perivascular cells within a few days, following the in vivo ontogeny. In 2D, however, the population shift from round and bipolar to stellate and perivascular was rarely observed. The transition to distinct cellular morphologies in 3D corresponded to the in vivo expression of phenotypic markers, supporting the generation of mature heterogeneous glial populations in vitro. This study presents quantitative data supporting that 3D culture is critical for sustaining the heterogeneity of astrocytes in vitro and for generating a representation of the in vivo portfolio of heterogeneous populations of astrocytes required for therapeutic interventions in neurodevelopmental disorders, epilepsy, and brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John A Packard
- 1 Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, UMBC , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jennie B Leach
- 1 Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering, UMBC , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth M Powell
- 2 Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Psychiatry, and Bioengineering, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland
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37
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38
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Li Y, Chen Y, Tan L, Pan JY, Lin WW, Wu J, Hu W, Chen X, Wang XD. RNAi-mediated ephrin-B2 silencing attenuates astroglial-fibrotic scar formation and improves spinal cord axon growth. CNS Neurosci Ther 2017; 23:779-789. [PMID: 28834283 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 07/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Astroglial-fibrotic scar formation following central nervous system injury can help repair blood-brain barrier and seal the lesion, whereas it also represents a strong barrier for axonal regeneration. Intensive preclinical efforts have been made to eliminate/reduce the inhibitory part and, in the meantime, preserve the beneficial role of astroglial-fibrotic scar. METHODS In this study, we established an in vitro system, in which coculture of astrocytes and meningeal fibroblasts was treated with exogenous transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) to form astroglial-fibrotic scar-like cell clusters, and thereby evaluated the efficacy of RNAi targeting ephrin-B2 in preventing scar formation from the very beginning. We further tested the effect of RNAi-based mitigation of astroglial-fibrotic scar on spinal axon outgrowth on a custom-made microfluidic platform. RESULTS We found that siRNA targeting ephrin-B2 significantly reduced both the number and the diameter of cell clusters induced by TGF-β1 and diminished the expression of aggrecan and versican in the coculture, and allowed for significantly longer extension of outgrowing spinal cord axons into astroglial-fibrotic scar as assessed on the microfluidic platform. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that astroglial-fibrotic scar formation and particularly the expression of aggrecan and versican could be mitigated by ephrin-B2 specific siRNA, thus improving the microenvironment for spinal axon regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ling Tan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jing-Ying Pan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Wei-Wei Lin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Wen Hu
- Key Laboratory for Neuroregeneration of Ministry of Education and Co-innovation Center for Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu Province, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xue Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Wuxi Medical College, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroregeneration of Ministry of Education and Co-innovation Center for Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu Province, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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39
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Woo J, Im SK, Chun H, Jung SY, Oh SJ, Choi N, Lee CJ, Hur EM. Functional Characterization of Resting and Adenovirus-Induced Reactive Astrocytes in Three-Dimensional Culture. Exp Neurobiol 2017; 26:158-167. [PMID: 28680301 PMCID: PMC5491584 DOI: 10.5607/en.2017.26.3.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain is a rich environment where neurons and glia interact with neighboring cells as well as extracellular matrix in three-dimensional (3D) space. Astrocytes, which are the most abundant cells in the mammalian brain, reside in 3D space and extend highly branched processes that form microdomains and contact synapses. It has been suggested that astrocytes cultured in 3D might be maintained in a less reactive state as compared to those growing in a traditional, two-dimensional (2D) monolayer culture. However, the functional characterization of the astrocytes in 3D culture has been lacking. Here we cocultured neurons and astrocytes in 3D and examined the morphological, molecular biological, and electrophysiological properties of the 3D-cultured hippocampal astrocytes. In our 3D neuron-astrocyte coculture, astrocytes showed a typical morphology of a small soma with many branches and exhibited a unique membrane property of passive conductance, more closely resembling their native in vivo counterparts. Moreover, we also induced reactive astrocytosis in culture by infecting with high-titer adenovirus to mimic pathophysiological conditions in vivo. Adenoviral infection induced morphological changes in astrocytes, increased passive conductance, and increased GABA content as well as tonic GABA release, which are characteristics of reactive gliosis. Together, our study presents a powerful in vitro model resembling both physiological and pathophysiological conditions in vivo, and thereby provides a versatile experimental tool for studying various neurological diseases that accompany reactive astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junsung Woo
- Center for Neuroscience, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea.,Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea.,Center for Glia-Neuron Interaction, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Sun-Kyoung Im
- Convergence Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Care System of Dementia, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Heejung Chun
- Center for Neuroscience, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea.,Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Soon-Young Jung
- Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Soo-Jin Oh
- Center for Neuroscience, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea.,Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea.,Center for Glia-Neuron Interaction, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Nakwon Choi
- Center for Neuroscience, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea.,Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - C Justin Lee
- Center for Neuroscience, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea.,Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea.,Center for Glia-Neuron Interaction, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea.,Department of Neuroscience, Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Eun-Mi Hur
- Center for Neuroscience, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea.,Convergence Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Care System of Dementia, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea.,Department of Neuroscience, Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
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40
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Jakobsson A, Ottosson M, Zalis MC, O'Carroll D, Johansson UE, Johansson F. Three-dimensional functional human neuronal networks in uncompressed low-density electrospun fiber scaffolds. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2017; 13:1563-1573. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2016.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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41
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Spencer KC, Sy JC, Falcón-Banchs R, Cima MJ. A three dimensional in vitro glial scar model to investigate the local strain effects from micromotion around neural implants. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:795-804. [PMID: 28119969 PMCID: PMC5389738 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc01411a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Glial scar formation remains a significant barrier to the long term success of neural probes. Micromotion coupled with mechanical mismatch between the probe and tissue is believed to be a key driver of the inflammatory response. In vitro glial scar models present an intermediate step prior to conventional in vivo histology experiments as they enable cell-device interactions to be tested on a shorter timescale, with the ability to conduct broader biochemical assays. No established in vitro models have incorporated methods to assess device performance with respect to mechanical factors. In this study, we describe an in vitro glial scar model that combines high-precision linear actuators to simulate axial micromotion around neural implants with a 3D primary neural cell culture in a collagen gel. Strain field measurements were conducted to visualize the local displacement within the gel in response to micromotion. Primary brain cell cultures were found to be mechanically responsive to micromotion after one week in culture. Astrocytes, as determined by immunohistochemical staining, were found to have significantly increased in cell areas and perimeters in response to micromotion compared to static control wells. These results demonstrate the importance of micromotion when considering the chronic response to neural implants. Going forward, this model provides advantages over existing in vitro models as it will enable critical mechanical design factors of neural implants to be evaluated prior to in vivo testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Spencer
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Jay C Sy
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Roberto Falcón-Banchs
- University of California, Berkeley and University of California, San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, USA
| | - Michael J Cima
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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42
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Watson PMD, Kavanagh E, Allenby G, Vassey M. Bioengineered 3D Glial Cell Culture Systems and Applications for Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation. SLAS DISCOVERY 2017; 22:583-601. [PMID: 28346104 DOI: 10.1177/2472555217691450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation are key features in a range of chronic central nervous system (CNS) diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as acute conditions like stroke and traumatic brain injury, for which there remains significant unmet clinical need. It is now well recognized that current cell culture methodologies are limited in their ability to recapitulate the cellular environment that is present in vivo, and there is a growing body of evidence to show that three-dimensional (3D) culture systems represent a more physiologically accurate model than traditional two-dimensional (2D) cultures. Given the complexity of the environment from which cells originate, and their various cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, it is important to develop models that can be controlled and reproducible for drug discovery. 3D cell models have now been developed for almost all CNS cell types, including neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocyte cells. This review will highlight a number of current and emerging techniques for the culture of astrocytes and microglia, glial cell types with a critical role in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory conditions. We describe recent advances in glial cell culture using electrospun polymers and hydrogel macromolecules, and highlight how these novel culture environments influence astrocyte and microglial phenotypes in vitro, as compared to traditional 2D systems. These models will be explored to illuminate current trends in the techniques used to create 3D environments for application in research and drug discovery focused on astrocytes and microglial cells.
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43
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Banerjee J, Shi Y, Azevedo HS. In vitro blood–brain barrier models for drug research: state-of-the-art and new perspectives on reconstituting these models on artificial basement membrane platforms. Drug Discov Today 2016; 21:1367-1386. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2016.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 05/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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44
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Astrocytes Grown in Alvetex(®) Three Dimensional Scaffolds Retain a Non-reactive Phenotype. Neurochem Res 2016; 41:1857-67. [PMID: 27099962 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-1911-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Protocols which permit the extraction of primary astrocytes from either embryonic or postnatal mice are well established however astrocytes in culture are different to those in the mature CNS. Three dimensional (3D) cultures, using a variety of scaffolds may enable better phenotypic properties to be developed in culture. We present data from embryonic (E15) and postnatal (P4) murine primary cortical astrocytes grown on coated coverslips or a 3D polystyrene scaffold, Alvetex. Growth of both embryonic and postnatal primary astrocytes in the 3D scaffold changed astrocyte morphology to a mature, protoplasmic phenotype. Embryonic-derived astrocytes in 3D expressed markers of mature astrocytes, namely the glutamate transporter GLT-1 with low levels of the chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans, NG2 and SMC3. Embryonic astrocytes derived in 3D show lower levels of markers of reactive astrocytes, namely GFAP and mRNA levels of LCN2, PTX3, Serpina3n and Cx43. Postnatal-derived astrocytes show few protein changes between 2D and 3D conditions. Our data shows that Alvetex is a suitable scaffold for growth of astrocytes, and with appropriate choice of cells allows the maintenance of astrocytes with the properties of mature cells and a non-reactive phenotype.
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45
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Dauth S, Grevesse T, Pantazopoulos H, Campbell PH, Maoz BM, Berretta S, Parker KK. Extracellular matrix protein expression is brain region dependent. J Comp Neurol 2016; 524:1309-36. [PMID: 26780384 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
In the brain, extracellular matrix (ECM) components form networks that contribute to structural and functional diversity. Maladaptive remodeling of ECM networks has been reported in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, suggesting that the brain microenvironment is a dynamic structure. A lack of quantitative information about ECM distribution in the brain hinders an understanding of region-specific ECM functions and the role of ECM in health and disease. We hypothesized that each ECM protein as well as specific ECM structures, such as perineuronal nets (PNNs) and interstitial matrix, are differentially distributed throughout the brain, contributing to the unique structure and function in the various regions of the brain. To test our hypothesis, we quantitatively analyzed the distribution, colocalization, and protein expression of aggrecan, brevican, and tenascin-R throughout the rat brain utilizing immunohistochemistry and mass spectrometry analysis and assessed the effect of aggrecan, brevican, and/or tenascin-R on neurite outgrowth in vitro. We focused on aggrecan, brevican, and tenascin-R as they are especially expressed in the mature brain, and have established roles in brain development, plasticity, and neurite outgrowth. The results revealed a differentiated distribution of all three proteins throughout the brain and indicated that their presence significantly reduces neurite outgrowth in a 3D in vitro environment. These results underline the importance of a unique and complex ECM distribution for brain physiology and suggest that encoding the distribution of distinct ECM proteins throughout the brain will aid in understanding their function in physiology and in turn assist in identifying their role in disease. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:1309-1336, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Dauth
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138
| | - Thomas Grevesse
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138
| | - Harry Pantazopoulos
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, 02478.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115
| | - Patrick H Campbell
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138
| | - Ben M Maoz
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138
| | - Sabina Berretta
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, 02478.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115.,Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115
| | - Kevin Kit Parker
- Disease Biophysics Group, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138
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46
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Holloway PM, Gavins FNE. Modeling Ischemic Stroke In Vitro: Status Quo and Future Perspectives. Stroke 2016; 47:561-9. [PMID: 26742797 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.115.011932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Holloway
- From the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA
| | - Felicity N E Gavins
- From the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA.
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47
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Knowlton S, Cho Y, Li XJ, Khademhosseini A, Tasoglu S. Utilizing stem cells for three-dimensional neural tissue engineering. Biomater Sci 2016; 4:768-84. [DOI: 10.1039/c5bm00324e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional neural tissue engineering has significantly advanced the development of neural disease models and replacement tissues for patients by leveraging the unique capabilities of stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yongku Cho
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
- University of Connecticut
- Storrs
- USA
| | - Xue-Jun Li
- Department of Neuroscience
- University of Connecticut Health Center
- Farmington
- USA
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Center for Biomedical Engineering
- Department of Medicine
- Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Cambridge
| | - Savas Tasoglu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- University of Connecticut
- Storrs
- USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
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48
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Sreekanthreddy P, Gromnicova R, Davies H, Phillips J, Romero IA, Male D. A three-dimensional model of the human blood-brain barrier to analyse the transport of nanoparticles and astrocyte/endothelial interactions. F1000Res 2015; 4:1279. [PMID: 26870320 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.7142.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop a three-dimensional (3D) model of the human blood-brain barrier in vitro, which mimics the cellular architecture of the CNS and could be used to analyse the delivery of nanoparticles to cells of the CNS. The model includes human astrocytes set in a collagen gel, which is overlaid by a monolayer of human brain endothelium (hCMEC/D3 cell line). The model was characterised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. A collagenase digestion method could recover the two cell types separately at 92-96% purity. Astrocytes grown in the gel matrix do not divide and they have reduced expression of aquaporin-4 and the endothelin receptor, type B compared to two-dimensional cultures, but maintain their expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein. The effects of conditioned media from these astrocytes on the barrier phenotype of the endothelium was compared with media from astrocytes grown conventionally on a two-dimensional (2D) substratum. Both induce the expression of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1 and claudin-5 in hCMEC/D3 cells, but there was no difference between the induced expression levels by the two media. The model has been used to assess the transport of glucose-coated 4nm gold nanoparticles and for leukocyte migration. TEM was used to trace and quantitate the movement of the nanoparticles across the endothelium and into the astrocytes. This blood-brain barrier model is very suitable for assessing delivery of nanoparticles and larger biomolecules to cells of the CNS, following transport across the endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Radka Gromnicova
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Heather Davies
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - James Phillips
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Ignacio A Romero
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - David Male
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
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49
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Sreekanthreddy P, Gromnicova R, Davies H, Phillips J, Romero IA, Male D. A three-dimensional model of the human blood-brain barrier to analyse the transport of nanoparticles and astrocyte/endothelial interactions. F1000Res 2015; 4:1279. [PMID: 26870320 PMCID: PMC4732555 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.7142.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop a three-dimensional (3D) model of the human blood-brain barrier
in vitro, which mimics the cellular architecture of the CNS and could be used to analyse the delivery of nanoparticles to cells of the CNS. The model includes human astrocytes set in a collagen gel, which is overlaid by a monolayer of human brain endothelium (hCMEC/D3 cell line). The model was characterised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. A collagenase digestion method could recover the two cell types separately at 92-96% purity. Astrocytes grown in the gel matrix do not divide and they have reduced expression of aquaporin-4 and the endothelin receptor, type B compared to two-dimensional cultures, but maintain their expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein. The effects of conditioned media from these astrocytes on the barrier phenotype of the endothelium was compared with media from astrocytes grown conventionally on a two-dimensional (2D) substratum. Both induce the expression of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1 and claudin-5 in hCMEC/D3 cells, but there was no difference between the induced expression levels by the two media. The model has been used to assess the transport of glucose-coated 4nm gold nanoparticles and for leukocyte migration. TEM was used to trace and quantitate the movement of the nanoparticles across the endothelium and into the astrocytes. This blood-brain barrier model is very suitable for assessing delivery of nanoparticles and larger biomolecules to cells of the CNS, following transport across the endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Radka Gromnicova
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Heather Davies
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - James Phillips
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Ignacio A Romero
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - David Male
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
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50
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Hashemian S, O'Rourke C, Phillips JB, Strömberg I, Af Bjerkén S. Embryonic and mature astrocytes exert different effects on neuronal growth in rat ventral mesencephalic slice cultures. SPRINGERPLUS 2015; 4:558. [PMID: 26435904 PMCID: PMC4586178 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1362-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
One obstacle with grafting of dopamine neurons in Parkinson’s disease is the insufficient ability of the transplant to reinnervate the host striatum. Another issue is the prospective interaction between the donor fetal tissue and the adult astrocytes of the host. To study nerve fiber growth and its interaction with immature/mature astrocytes, ventral mesencephalic (VM) organotypic rat tissue cultures from embryonic days (E) 12, E14, and E18 were studied up to 35 days in vitro (DIV), and co-cultures of E14 VM tissue and mature green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive astrocytes were performed. Generally, nerve fibers grew from the tissue slice either in association with a monolayer of migrated astroglia surrounding the tissue (glial-associated), or distal to the astroglia as non-glial-associated outgrowth. The tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive glial-associated nerve fiber outgrowth reached a plateau at 21 DIV in E12 and E14 cultures. In E18 cultures, TH-positive neurons displayed short processes and migrated onto the astrocytes. While the non-glial-associated nerve fiber outgrowth dominated the E14 cultures, it was found absent in E18 cultures. The GFP-positive cells in the VM and GFP-positive astrocyte co-cultures were generally located distal to the monolayer of migrated fetal astrocytes, a few GFP-positive cells were however observed within the astrocytic monolayer. In those cases TH-positive neurons migrated towards the GFP-positive cells. Both the non-glial- and glial-associated nerve fibers grew onto the GFP-positive cells. Taken together, the glial-associated growth has limited outgrowth compared to the non-glial-associated nerve fibers, while none of the outgrowth types were hampered by the mature astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Hashemian
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Caitriona O'Rourke
- Department of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA UK ; Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8LD UK
| | - James B Phillips
- Department of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA UK ; Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8LD UK
| | - Ingrid Strömberg
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sara Af Bjerkén
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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