Comparing the properties of neuronal culture systems: a shopping guide for the cell biologist

Fly-on-a-Chip: Microfluidics for Drosophila melanogaster Studies

The fruit fly or Drosophila melanogaster has been used as a promising model organism in genetics, developmental and behavioral studies as well as in the fields of neuroscience, pharmacology, and toxicology. Not only all the developmental stages of Drosophila, including embryonic, larval, and adulthood stages, have been used in experimental in vivo biology, but also the organs, tissues, and cells extracted from this model have found applications in in vitro assays. However, the manual manipulation, cellular investigation and behavioral phenotyping techniques utilized in conventional Drosophila-based in vivo and in vitro assays are mostly time-consuming, labor-intensive, and low in throughput. Moreover, stimulation of the organism with external biological, chemical, or physical signals requires precision in signal delivery, while quantification of neural and behavioral phenotypes necessitates optical and physical accessibility to Drosophila. Recently, microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices have emerged as powerful tools to overcome these challenges. This review paper demonstrates the role of microfluidic technology in Drosophila studies with a focus on both in vivo and in vitro investigations. The reviewed microfluidic devices are categorized based on their applications to various stages of Drosophila development. We have emphasized technologies that were utilized for tissue- and behavior-based investigations. Furthermore, the challenges and future directions in Drosophila-on-a-chip research, and its integration with other advanced technologies, will be discussed.

Controlling the morphology and outgrowth of nerve and neuroglial cells: The effect of surface topography

Unlike other tissue types, like epithelial tissue, which consist of cells with a much more homogeneous structure and function, the nervous tissue spans in a complex multilayer environment whose topographical features display a large spectrum of morphologies and size scales. Traditional cell cultures, which are based on two-dimensional cell-adhesive culture dishes or coverslips, are lacking topographical cues and mainly simulate the biochemical microenvironment of the cells. With the emergence of micro- and nano-fabrication techniques new types of cell culture platforms are developed, where the effect of various topographical cues on cellular morphology, proliferation and differentiation can be studied. Different approaches (regarding the material, fabrication technique, topographical characteristics, etc.) have been implemented. The present review paper aims at reviewing the existing body of literature on the use of artificial micro- and nano-topographical features to control neuronal and neuroglial cells' morphology, outgrowth and neural network topology. The cell responses-from phenomenology to investigation of the underlying mechanisms- on the different topographies, including both deterministic and random ones, are summarized.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

There is increasing evidence that physical cues, such as topography, can have a significant impact on the neural cell functions. With the aid of micro-and nanofabrication techniques, new types of cell culture platforms are developed and the effect of surface topography on the cells has been studied. The present review article aims at reviewing the existing body of literature reporting on the use of various topographies to study and control the morphology and functions of cells from nervous tissue, i.e. the neuronal and the neuroglial cells. The cell responses-from phenomenology to investigation of the underlying mechanisms- on the different topographies, including both deterministic and random ones, are summarized.

Comparative study of human neuronal and glial cell sensitivity for in vitro neurogenotoxicity testing

Cell cultures from neuronal and glial origin have proven to be powerful tools for elucidating cellular and molecular mechanisms of nervous system development and physiology, and as neurotoxicity models to evaluate in vitro the possible effects of chemicals. But cellular heterogeneity of nervous system is considerable and these cells have been shown to respond diversely to neurotoxic insults, leading to disparate results from different studies. To shed more light on suitability of cellular models of nervous origin for neurotoxicity screening, the objective of this study was to compare the sensitivity to genetic damage induction of two nervous cell lines. To this aim, neurons (SH-SY5Y) and glial (A172) cells were treated with differently-acting genotoxic agents (bleomycin, actinomycin-D, methyl methanesulfonate, mitomycin C, and griseofulvin). After discarding cytotoxicity, genotoxicity was evaluated by a battery of assays encompassing detection of different genetic lesions. Results obtained showed that glial cells are generally more resistant to genotoxic damage induced by clastogenic agents, but more sensitive to aneugenic effects. These results highlight the need of proper design of in vitro neurotoxicology studies, especially for neurogenotoxicity screening, emphasizing the importance of employing more than one nervous cell type for testing the potential toxicity of a particular exposure.

Large-scale topographical screen for investigation of physical neural-guidance cues

A combinatorial approach was used to present primary neurons with a large library of topographical features in the form of micropatterned substrate for high-throughput screening of physical neural-guidance cues that can effectively promote different aspects of neuronal development, including axon and dendritic outgrowth. Notably, the neuronal-guidance capability of specific features was automatically identified using a customized image processing software, thus significantly increasing the screening throughput with minimal subjective bias. Our results indicate that the anisotropic topographies promote axonal and in some cases dendritic extension relative to the isotropic topographies, while dendritic branching showed preference to plain substrates over the microscale features. The results from this work can be readily applied towards engineering novel biomaterials with precise surface topography that can serve as guidance conduits for neuro-regenerative applications. This novel topographical screening strategy combined with the automated processing capability can also be used for high-throughput screening of chemical or genetic regulatory factors in primary neurons.

Analysis of mitochondrial traffic in Drosophila

The extreme geometry of neurons spreads the need for mitochondrial functions out irregularly across vast cellular distances. This makes the long-distance transport of mitochondria a critical feature of their function in neurons. Axonal transport of mitochondria has been studied profitably in a variety of in vitro systems, particularly embryonic neurons grown in culture. This has allowed not only detailed motility analysis via light microscopy but also the ability to challenge the system with pharmacological agents and transfection. It does, however, carry caveats about its relevance to events in cells of the intact nervous system. In recent years, it has become possible to observe, quantify, and analyze the behavior of mitochondria within axons of the nervous system of live organisms. Here, we describe how to prepare the Drosophila larva for direct observation of mitochondrial axonal transport and how to gather and analyze motility data from this preparation, using confocal microscopy. This system takes advantage of our ability in Drosophila to express mitochondrially targeted fluorescent proteins in specific neuronal cell types, which allows us to visualize their traffic with ease, and to distinguish anterograde from retrograde traffic. Drosophila genetics also allows the analysis of mutations, gene overexpression, and knockdowns that affect mitochondrial function, including models of neurodegenerative disease. In addition, this preparation allows the visualization of the distribution and morphology of mitochondria in cell bodies within the central nervous system and in synapses. It is also possible to analyze mitochondrial functions other than transport, such as inner membrane potential, using this preparation.

Biophysics of substrate interaction: influence on neural motility, differentiation, and repair

The identity and behavior of a cell is shaped by the molecular and mechanical composition of its surroundings. Molecular cues have firmly established roles in guiding both neuronal fate decisions and the migration of cells and axons. However, there is growing evidence that topographical and rigidity cues in the extracellular environment act synergistically with these molecular cues. Like chemical cues, physical factors do not elicit a fixed response, but rather one that depends on the sensory makeup of the cell. Moreover, from developmental studies and the plasticity of neural tissue, it is evident that there is dynamic feedback between physical and chemical factors to produce the final morphology. Here, we focus on our current understanding of how these physical cues shape cellular differentiation and migration, and discuss their relevance to repairing the injured nervous system.

Experimental psychiatric illness and drug abuse models: from human to animal, an overview

Preclinical animal models have supported much of the recent rapid expansion of neuroscience research and have facilitated critical discoveries that undoubtedly benefit patients suffering from psychiatric disorders. This overview serves as an introduction for the following chapters describing both in vivo and in vitro preclinical models of psychiatric disease components and briefly describes models related to drug dependence and affective disorders. Although there are no perfect animal models of any psychiatric disorder, models do exist for many elements of each disease state or stage. In many cases, the development of certain models is essentially restricted to the human clinical laboratory domain for the purpose of maximizing validity, whereas the use of in vitro models may best represent an adjunctive, well-controlled means to model specific signaling mechanisms associated with psychiatric disease states. The data generated by preclinical models are only as valid as the model itself, and the development and refinement of animal models for human psychiatric disorders continues to be an important challenge. Collaborative relationships between basic neuroscience and clinical modeling could greatly benefit the development of new and better models, in addition to facilitating medications development.

Mitochondrial membrane potential in axons increases with local nerve growth factor or semaphorin signaling

Neurons concentrate mitochondria at sites in the cell that have a high demand for ATP and/or calcium buffering. To accomplish this, mitochondrial transport and docking are thought to respond to intracellular signaling pathways. However, the cell might also concentrate mitochondrial function by locally modulating mitochondrial activity. We tested this hypothesis by measuring the membrane potential of individual mitochondria throughout the axons of chick sensory neurons using the dye tetramethylrhodamine methylester (TMRM). We found no difference in the TMRM mitochondrial-to-cytoplasmic fluorescence ratio (F(m)/F(c)) among three functionally distinct regions: axonal branch points, distal axons, and the remaining axon shaft. In addition, we found no difference in F(m)/F(c) among stationary, retrogradely moving, or anterogradely moving mitochondria. However, F(m)/F(c) was significantly higher in the lamellipodia of growth cones, and among a small fraction of mitochondria throughout the axon. To identify possible signals controlling membrane potential, we used beads covalently coupled to survival and guidance cues to provide a local stimulus along the axon shaft. NGF- or semaphorin 3A-coupled beads caused a significant increase in F(m)/F(c) in the immediately adjacent region of axon, and this was diminished in the presence of the PI3 (phosphatidylinositol-3) kinase inhibitor LY294002 [2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one] or the MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase inhibitor U0126 (1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis[2-amino-phenylthio]butadiene), demonstrating that signaling pathways downstream of both ligands affect the DeltaPsi(m) of mitochondria. In addition, general inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinase activity produced a profound global decrease in F(m)/F(c). Thus, two guidance molecules that exert different effects on growth cone motility both elicit local, receptor-mediated increases in membrane potential.

Dynamic control of extracellular environment in in vitro neural recording systems

A technique is presented for rapid fabrication of microfluidic channels on top of multichannel in vitro neural recording electrode arrays. The channels allow dynamic control of transient flow over localized areas of the array. Dorsal root ganglion neurons were integrated into the system. The device was used to demonstrate precise control of the extracellular microenvironment of individual cells on the array. Because the methods presented here are not specific to a particular cell type or neural recording system, the technique is amenable to a wide range of applications within the neuroscience field.

alpha-L-Iduronidase transport in neurites

Effective therapeutic strategies for mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPSI) rely on mannose-6-phosphate receptor-mediated uptake of extracellular alpha-l-iduronidase (IDUA), the missing lysosomal enzyme in this disease, by deficient cells. Intravenously infused recombinant human IDUA does not reach the central nervous system, whereas neuropathology and neurological manifestations are prominent in Hurler syndrome, the most severe and most frequent form of MPSI. The creation of a single intracerebral source of IDUA by gene therapy was proved efficient to deliver enzyme throughout the brain of MPSI mice. IDUA spreading far beyond areas where the enzyme was synthesized suggested transport along neuronal processes. To examine the mechanisms of IDUA spreading in the brain, we constructed a chimeric protein in which GFP is fused at the C-terminus of IDUA. The fusion protein was expressed in rat primary neurons using lentivirus vectors. Fluorescent IDUA retained full catalytic activity including on natural substrates, interacted with mannose-6-phosphate receptors and was appropriately addressed to lysosomes. Fluorescent vesicles were broadly distributed over neuronal soma and processes. Time-lapse fluorescent video-microscopy showed that 54% of fluorescent vesicles exhibited either retrograde or anterograde displacements along neurites. Most moving organelles showed complex movements with frequent direction changes and arrests. Motility depended on microtubule integrity. Efficient axono-dendritic transport of IDUA provides a rationale for gene therapy based on the release of therapeutic enzyme at discrete locations within the central nervous system of patients with severe form of MPSI.

Dynamic control of extracellular environment in in vitro neural recording systems

A technique is presented for rapid fabrication of microfluidic channels on top of multichannel in vitro neural recording electrode arrays. The channels allow dynamic control of both stable and transient flow patterns over localized areas of the array, over biologically relevant timescales. A cellular model consisting of thermally sensitive dorsal root ganglion neurons was integrated into the devices. The device was used to demonstrate precise control of the extracellular microenvironment of individual cells on the array. Since the methods presented here are not specific to a particular cell type or neural recording system, the technique is amenable to a wide range of applications within the neuroscience field.