1
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Liu W, Fu W, Sun M, Han K, Hu R, Liu D, Wang J. Straightforward neuron micropatterning and neuronal network construction on cell-repellent polydimethylsiloxane using microfluidics-guided functionalized Pluronic modification. Analyst 2021; 146:454-462. [PMID: 33491017 DOI: 10.1039/d0an02139c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal cell microengineering involving micropatterning and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidics enables promising advances in microscale neuron control. However, a facile methodology for the precise and effective manipulation of neurons on a cell-repellent PDMS substrate remains challenging. Herein, a simple and straightforward strategy for neuronal cell patterning and neuronal network construction on PDMS based on microfluidics-assisted modification of functionalized Pluronic is described. The cell patterning process simply involves a one-step microfluidic modification and routine in vitro culture. It is demonstrated that multiple types of neuronal cell arrangements with various spatial profiles can be conveniently produced using this patterning tool. The precise control of neuronal cells with high patterning fidelity up to single cell resolution, as well as high adhesion and differentiation, is achieved too. Furthermore, neuronal network construction using the respective cell population and single cell patterning prove to be applicable. This achievement provides a convenient and feasible methodology for engineering neuronal cells on PDMS substrates, which will be useful for applications in many neuron-related microscale analytical research fields, including cell engineering, neurobiology, neuropharmacology, and neuronal sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenming Liu
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
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2
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Yuan X, Wolf N, Hondrich TJJ, Shokoohimehr P, Milos F, Glass M, Mayer D, Maybeck V, Prömpers M, Offenhäusser A, Wördenweber R. Engineering Biocompatible Interfaces via Combinations of Oxide Films and Organic Self-Assembled Monolayers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:17121-17129. [PMID: 32186363 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c02141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we demonstrate that cell adhesion and neuron maturation can be guided by patterned oxide surfaces functionalized with organic molecular layers. It is shown that the difference in the surface potential of various oxides (SiO2, Ta2O5, TiO2, and Al2O3) can be increased by functionalization with a silane, (3-aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane (APTES), which is deposited from the gas phase on the oxide. Furthermore, it seems that only physisorbed layers (no chemical binding) can be achieved for some oxides (Ta2O5 and TiO2), whereas self-assembled monolayers (SAM) form on other oxides (SiO2 and Al2O3). This does not only alter the surface potential but also affects the neuronal cell growth. The already high cell density on SiO2 is increased further by the chemically bound APTES SAM, whereas the already low cell density on Ta2O5 is even further reduced by the physisorbed APTES layer. As a result, the cell density is ∼8 times greater on SiO2 compared to Ta2O5, both coated with APTES. Furthermore, neurons form the typical networks on SiO2, whereas they tend to cluster to form neurospheres on Ta2O5. Using lithographically patterned Ta2O5 layers on SiO2 substrates functionalized with APTES, the guided growth can be transferred to complex patterns. Cell cultures and molecular layers can easily be removed, and the cell experiment can be repeated after functionalization of the patterned oxide surface with APTES. Thus, the combination of APTES-functionalized patterned oxides might offer a promising way of achieving guided neuronal growth on robust and reusable substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Yuan
- Institute of Complex Systems-Bioelectronics (ICS-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Wolf
- Institute of Complex Systems-Bioelectronics (ICS-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Timm J J Hondrich
- Institute of Complex Systems-Bioelectronics (ICS-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Pegah Shokoohimehr
- Institute of Complex Systems-Bioelectronics (ICS-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Frano Milos
- Institute of Complex Systems-Bioelectronics (ICS-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Manuel Glass
- Institute of Complex Systems-Bioelectronics (ICS-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Dirk Mayer
- Institute of Complex Systems-Bioelectronics (ICS-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Vanessa Maybeck
- Institute of Complex Systems-Bioelectronics (ICS-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Michael Prömpers
- Institute of Complex Systems-Bioelectronics (ICS-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Andreas Offenhäusser
- Institute of Complex Systems-Bioelectronics (ICS-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Roger Wördenweber
- Institute of Complex Systems-Bioelectronics (ICS-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
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3
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Gonzalez M, Guo X, Lin M, Stancescu M, Molnar P, Spradling S, Hickman JJ. Polarity Induced in Human Stem Cell Derived Motoneurons on Patterned Self-Assembled Monolayers. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:2756-2764. [PMID: 31063682 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The control of polarized human neurite/axon development at the single neuron level is critical in geographically directing signal propagation in engineered neural networks, for both in vitro and in vivo applications. While there is an increasing need to exert control over axonal growth for the successful development and establishment of integrative and functional in vitro systems, controlled, polarized distribution of either human-derived neurons or motoneurons in vitro has yet to be reported. In this study, we established the polarized distribution of stem cell derived human motoneurons, using a patterned surface, and maintained the cells in a serum-free system. A surface pattern with defined polarity was developed using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). A cell permissive SAM, DETA (trimethoxysilyl propyldiethylenetri-amine), combined with photolithography and a nonpermissive fluorinated silane, 13F (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydroctyl-1-dimethylchloro-silane), generated a surface where neurons only adhered to the designed attachment sites and did so with preferred orientation. In addition, 75% of the cells attached to the patterns were motoneurons compared to their percentage in the standard unpatterned surface which was used as a control condition (20%), demonstrating the preference of these human motoneurons in adhering to the patterns. The ability to dictate the distribution and polarity of human motoneurons will be essential to the engineering of human-based functional in vitro systems in which the control of signal propagation is necessary but more importantly for cell implantation studies. Such systems will greatly benefit the study of motor function as well as aid the development of high-throughput systems for drug screening and test beds for use in preclinical studies related to conditions such as spinal cord injury, ALS, and muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Gonzalez
- Hybrid Systems Lab, NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Xiufang Guo
- Hybrid Systems Lab, NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Min Lin
- Hybrid Systems Lab, NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Maria Stancescu
- Hybrid Systems Lab, NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Physical Sciences Building (PS) Room 255, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, Florida 32816-2366, United States
| | - Peter Molnar
- Hybrid Systems Lab, NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Severo Spradling
- Biomolecular Science Center, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, 12722 Research Parkway, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - James J. Hickman
- Hybrid Systems Lab, NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Physical Sciences Building (PS) Room 255, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, Florida 32816-2366, United States
- Biomolecular Science Center, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, 12722 Research Parkway, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
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4
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Moretti D, DiFrancesco ML, Sharma PP, Dante S, Albisetti E, Monticelli M, Bertacco R, Petti D, Baldelli P, Benfenati F. Biocompatibility of a Magnetic Tunnel Junction Sensor Array for the Detection of Neuronal Signals in Culture. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:909. [PMID: 30618547 PMCID: PMC6299031 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetoencephalography has been established nowadays as a crucial in vivo technique for clinical and diagnostic applications due to its unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution and its non-invasive methods. However, the innate nature of the biomagnetic signals derived from active biological tissue is still largely unknown. One alternative possibility for in vitro analysis is the use of magnetic sensor arrays based on Magnetoresistance. However, these sensors have never been used to perform long-term in vitro studies mainly due to critical biocompatibility issues with neurons in culture. In this study, we present the first biomagnetic chip based on magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) technology for cell culture studies and show the biocompatibility of these sensors. We obtained a full biocompatibility of the system through the planarization of the sensors and the use of a three-layer capping of SiO2/Si3N4/SiO2. We grew primary neurons up to 20 days on the top of our devices and obtained proper functionality and viability of the overlying neuronal networks. At the same time, MTJ sensors kept their performances unchanged for several weeks in contact with neurons and neuronal medium. These results pave the way to the development of high performing biomagnetic sensing technology for the electrophysiology of in vitro systems, in analogy with Multi Electrode Arrays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Moretti
- Center of Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Mattia Lorenzo DiFrancesco
- Center of Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Dante
- Department of Nanoscopy & NIC@IIT, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Riccardo Bertacco
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.,IFN-CNR, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Petti
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Baldelli
- Center of Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center of Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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5
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Yang Y, Zhang Y, Chai R, Gu Z. Designs of Biomaterials and Microenvironments for Neuroengineering. Neural Plast 2018; 2018:1021969. [PMID: 30627148 PMCID: PMC6304813 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1021969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical research on neuroengineering is primarily focused on biocompatible materials, which can be used to provide electroactive and topological cues, regulate the microenvironment, and perform other functions. Novel biomaterials for neuroengineering have been received much attention in the field of research, including graphene, photonic crystals, and organ-on-a-chip. Graphene, which has the advantage of high mechanical strength and chemical stability with the unique electrochemical performance for electrical signal detection and transmission, has significant potential as a conductive scaffolding in the field of medicine. Photonic crystal materials, known as a novel concept in nerve substrates, have provided a new avenue for neuroengineering research because of their unique ordered structure and spectral attributes. The "organ-on-a-chip" systems have shown significant prospects for the developments of the solutions to nerve regeneration by mimicking the microenvironment of nerve tissue. This paper presents a review of current progress in the designs of biomaterials and microenvironments and provides case studies in developing nerve system stents upon these biomaterials. In addition, we compose a conductive patterned compounded biomaterial, which could mimic neuronal microenvironment for neuroengineering by concentrating the advantage of such biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanru Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yuhua Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Renjie Chai
- Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Zhongze Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
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6
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Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy: Challenges and Perspectives towards Increased Application on Biomaterials and Biological Samples. MATERIALS 2018; 11:ma11060951. [PMID: 29874810 PMCID: PMC6025522 DOI: 10.3390/ma11060951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We report and comment on the possible increase of application of scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) for biomaterials, biological substrates, and biological samples. First, the fundamental concepts and the practical limitations of SKPM are presented, pointing out the difficulties in proper probe calibration. Then, the most relevant literature on the use of SKPM on biological substrates and samples is briefly reviewed. We report first about biocompatible surfaces used as substrates for subsequent biological applications, such as cultures of living cells. Then, we briefly review the SKPM measurements made on proteins, DNA, and similar biomolecular systems. Finally, some considerations about the perspectives for the use of SKPM in the field of life sciences are made. This work does not pretend to provide a comprehensive view of this emerging scenario, yet we believe that it is time to put these types of application of SKPM under focus, and to face the related challenges, such as measuring in liquid and quantitative comparison with other techniques for the electrical potential readout.
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7
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Rothbauer M, Zirath H, Ertl P. Recent advances in microfluidic technologies for cell-to-cell interaction studies. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:249-270. [PMID: 29143053 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00815e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic cell cultures are ideally positioned to become the next generation of in vitro diagnostic tools for biomedical research, where key biological processes such as cell signalling and dynamic cell-to-cell interactions can be reliably analysed under reproducible physiological cell culture conditions. In the last decade, a large number of microfluidic cell analysis systems have been developed for a variety of applications including drug target optimization, drug screening and toxicological testing. More recently, advanced in vitro microfluidic cell culture systems have emerged that are capable of replicating the complex three-dimensional architectures of tissues and organs and thus represent valid biological models for investigating the mechanism and function of human tissue structures, as well as studying the onset and progression of diseases such as cancer. In this review, we present the most important developments in single-cell, 2D and 3D microfluidic cell culture systems for studying cell-to-cell interactions published over the last 6 years, with a focus on cancer research and immunotherapy, vascular models and neuroscience. In addition, the current technological development of microdevices with more advanced physiological cell microenvironments that integrate multiple organ models, namely, the so-called body-, human- and multi-organ-on-a-chip, is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Rothbauer
- Vienna University of Technology, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria.
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8
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Keshavan S, Naskar S, Diaspro A, Cancedda L, Dante S. Developmental refinement of synaptic transmission on micropatterned single layer graphene. Acta Biomater 2018; 65:363-375. [PMID: 29122711 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Interfacing neurons with graphene, a single atomic layer of sp2 hybridized C-atoms, is a key paradigm in understanding how to exploit the unique properties of such a two-dimensional system for neural prosthetics and biosensors development. In order to fabricate graphene-based circuitry, a reliable large area patterning method is a requirement. Following a previously developed protocol, we monitored the in vitro neuronal development of geometrically ordered neural network growing onto patterned Single Layer Graphene (SLG) coated with poly-D-lysine. The microscale patterns were fabricated via laser micromachining and consisted of SLG stripes separated by micrometric ablated stripes. A comprehensive analysis of the biointerface was carried out combining the surface characterization of SLG transferred on the glass substrates and Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of the developing neural network. Neuronal and glial cells proliferation, as well as cell viability, were compared on glass, SLG and SLG-patterned surfaces. Further, we present a comparative developmental study on the efficacy of synaptic transmission on control glass, on transferred SLG, and on the micropatterned SLG substrates by recording miniature post synaptic currents (mPSCs). The mPSC frequencies and amplitudes obtained on SLG-stripes, SLG only and on glass were compared. Our results indicate a very similar developmental trend in the three groups, indicating that both SLG and patterned SLG preserve synaptic efficacy and can be potentially exploited for the fabrication of large area devices for neuron sensing or stimulation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE This paper compares the morphological and functional development of neural networks forming on glass, on Single Layer Graphene (SLG) and on microsized patterned SLG substrates after neuron spontaneous migration. Neurons developing on SLG are viable after two weeks in vitro, and, on SLG, glial cell proliferation is enhanced. The functionality of the neural networks is demonstrated by measuring the development of neuron synapses in the first and second week in vitro. Preserving the neuron synaptic efficacy, both homogeneous and patterned interfaces based on graphene can be potentially exploited for the fabrication of large area devices for neuron sensing or stimulation, as well as for next generation of bio-electronic systems, to be used as brain-interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Keshavan
- Department of Nanophysics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.
| | - Shovan Naskar
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Alberto Diaspro
- Department of Nanophysics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy; Department of Physics, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Laura Cancedda
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Dante
- Department of Nanophysics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.
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9
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Hassanzadeh-Barforoushi A, Shemesh J, Farbehi N, Asadnia M, Yeoh GH, Harvey RP, Nordon RE, Warkiani ME. A rapid co-culture stamping device for studying intercellular communication. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35618. [PMID: 27752145 PMCID: PMC5067516 DOI: 10.1038/srep35618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of tissue development and repair depends on communication between neighbouring cells. Recent advances in cell micro-contact printing and microfluidics have facilitated the in-vitro study of homotypic and heterotypic cell-cell interaction. Nonetheless, these techniques are still complicated to perform and as a result, are seldom used by biologists. We report here development of a temporarily sealed microfluidic stamping device which utilizes a novel valve design for patterning two adherent cell lines with well-defined interlacing configurations to study cell-cell interactions. We demonstrate post-stamping cell viability of >95%, the stamping of multiple adherent cell types, and the ability to control the seeded cell density. We also show viability, proliferation and migration of cultured cells, enabling analysis of co-culture boundary conditions on cell fate. We also developed an in-vitro model of endothelial and cardiac stem cell interactions, which are thought to regulate coronary repair after myocardial injury. The stamp is fabricated using microfabrication techniques, is operated with a lab pipettor and uses very low reagent volumes of 20 μl with cell injection efficiency of >70%. This easy-to-use device provides a general strategy for micro-patterning of multiple cell types and will be important for studying cell-cell interactions in a multitude of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan Shemesh
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Nona Farbehi
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Mohsen Asadnia
- Department of Engineering, Faculty of Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Guan Heng Yeoh
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Richard P. Harvey
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010; St. Vincent’s Clinical School and School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Robert E. Nordon
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Perth, WA 6027, Australia
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10
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Alloisio S, Garbati P, Viti F, Dante S, Barbieri R, Arnaldi G, Petrelli A, Gigoni A, Giannoni P, Quarto R, Nobile M, Vassalli M, Pagano A. Generation of a Functional Human Neural Network by NDM29 Overexpression in Neuroblastoma Cancer Cells. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:6097-6106. [PMID: 27699601 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0161-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in life sciences suggest that human and rodent cell responses to stimuli might differ significantly. In this context, the results achieved in neurotoxicology and biomedical research practices using neural networks obtained from mouse or rat primary culture of neurons would benefit of the parallel evaluation of the same parameters using fully differentiated neurons with a human genetic background, thus emphasizing the current need of neuronal cells with human origin. In this work, we developed a human functionally active neural network derived by human neuroblastoma cancer cells genetically engineered to overexpress NDM29, a non-coding RNA whose increased synthesis causes the differentiation toward a neuronal phenotype. These cells are here analyzed accurately showing functional and morphological traits of neurons such as the expression of neuron-specific proteins and the possibility to generate the expected neuronal current traces and action potentials. Their morphometrical analysis is carried out by quantitative phase microscopy showing soma and axon sizes compatible with those of functional neurons. The ability of these cells to connect autonomously forming physical junctions recapitulates that of hippocampal neurons, as resulting by connect-ability test. Lastly, these cells self-organize in neural networks able to produce spontaneous firing, in which spikes can be clustered in bursts. Altogether, these results show that the neural network obtained by NDM29-dependent differentiation of neuroblastoma cells is a suitable tool for biomedical research practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Alloisio
- ETT Spa, via Sestri 37, 16154, Genoa, Italy.,National Research Council, Institute of Biophysics, via De Marini 6, 16149, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Federica Viti
- National Research Council, Institute of Biophysics, via De Marini 6, 16149, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Dante
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, I-16163, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Arnaldi
- IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessia Petrelli
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, I-16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Arianna Gigoni
- IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Giannoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Quarto
- IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Mario Nobile
- National Research Council, Institute of Biophysics, via De Marini 6, 16149, Genoa, Italy
| | - Massimo Vassalli
- National Research Council, Institute of Biophysics, via De Marini 6, 16149, Genoa, Italy
| | - Aldo Pagano
- IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy. .,Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy.
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11
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Mescola A, Canale C, Prato M, Diaspro A, Berdondini L, Maccione A, Dante S. Specific Neuron Placement on Gold and Silicon Nitride-Patterned Substrates through a Two-Step Functionalization Method. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2016; 32:6319-6327. [PMID: 27268249 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b01352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The control of neuron-substrate adhesion has been always a challenge for fabricating neuron-based cell chips and in particular for multielectrode array (MEA) devices, which warrants the investigation of the electrophysiological activity of neuronal networks. The recent introduction of high-density chips based on the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology, integrating thousands of electrodes, improved the possibility to sense large networks and raised the challenge to develop newly adapted functionalization techniques to further increase neuron electrode localization to avoid the positioning of cells out of the recording area. Here, we present a simple and straightforward chemical functionalization method that leads to the precise and exclusive positioning of the neural cell bodies onto modified electrodes and inhibits, at the same time, cellular adhesion in the surrounding insulator areas. Different from other approaches, this technique does not require any adhesion molecule as well as complex patterning technique such as μ-contact printing. The functionalization was first optimized on gold (Au) and silicon nitride (Si3N4)-patterned surfaces. The procedure consisted of the introduction of a passivating layer of hydrophobic silane molecules (propyltriethoxysilane [PTES]) followed by a treatment of the Au surface using 11-amino-1-undecanethiol hydrochloride (AT). On model substrates, well-ordered neural networks and an optimal coupling between a single neuron and single micrometric functionalized Au surface were achieved. In addition, we presented the preliminary results of this functionalization method directly applied on a CMOS-MEA: the electrical spontaneous spiking and bursting activities of the network recorded for up to 4 weeks demonstrate an excellent and stable neural adhesion and functional behavior comparable with what expected using a standard adhesion factor, such as polylysine or laminin, thus demonstrating that this procedure can be considered a good starting point to develop alternatives to the traditional chip coatings to provide selective and specific neuron-substrate adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Mescola
- Department of Nanophysics, ‡Department of Nanochemistry, and §Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Claudio Canale
- Department of Nanophysics, ‡Department of Nanochemistry, and §Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Mirko Prato
- Department of Nanophysics, ‡Department of Nanochemistry, and §Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Alberto Diaspro
- Department of Nanophysics, ‡Department of Nanochemistry, and §Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Berdondini
- Department of Nanophysics, ‡Department of Nanochemistry, and §Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Maccione
- Department of Nanophysics, ‡Department of Nanochemistry, and §Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Dante
- Department of Nanophysics, ‡Department of Nanochemistry, and §Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
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Kanner S, Bisio M, Cohen G, Goldin M, Tedesco M, Hanein Y, Ben-Jacob E, Barzilai A, Chiappalone M, Bonifazi P. Design, Surface Treatment, Cellular Plating, and Culturing of Modular Neuronal Networks Composed of Functionally Inter-connected Circuits. J Vis Exp 2015. [PMID: 25938894 DOI: 10.3791/52572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain operates through the coordinated activation and the dynamic communication of neuronal assemblies. A major open question is how a vast repertoire of dynamical motifs, which underlie most diverse brain functions, can emerge out of a fixed topological and modular organization of brain circuits. Compared to in vivo studies of neuronal circuits which present intrinsic experimental difficulties, in vitro preparations offer a much larger possibility to manipulate and probe the structural, dynamical and chemical properties of experimental neuronal systems. This work describes an in vitro experimental methodology which allows growing of modular networks composed by spatially distinct, functionally interconnected neuronal assemblies. The protocol allows controlling the two-dimensional (2D) architecture of the neuronal network at different levels of topological complexity. A desired network patterning can be achieved both on regular cover slips and substrate embedded micro electrode arrays. Micromachined structures are embossed on a silicon wafer and used to create biocompatible polymeric stencils, which incorporate the negative features of the desired network architecture. The stencils are placed on the culturing substrates during the surface coating procedure with a molecular layer for promoting cellular adhesion. After removal of the stencils, neurons are plated and they spontaneously redirected to the coated areas. By decreasing the inter-compartment distance, it is possible to obtain either isolated or interconnected neuronal circuits. To promote cell survival, cells are co-cultured with a supporting neuronal network which is located at the periphery of the culture dish. Electrophysiological and optical recordings of the activity of modular networks obtained respectively by using substrate embedded micro electrode arrays and calcium imaging are presented. While each module shows spontaneous global synchronizations, the occurrence of inter-module synchronization is regulated by the density of connection among the circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivan Kanner
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University
| | - Marta Bisio
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
| | - Gilad Cohen
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel-Aviv University
| | - Miri Goldin
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel-Aviv University
| | - Marieteresa Tedesco
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and System Engineering, University of Genova
| | - Yael Hanein
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel-Aviv University
| | | | - Ari Barzilai
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University
| | - Michela Chiappalone
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
| | - Paolo Bonifazi
- Department of Neurobiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University; School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel-Aviv University;
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Emergence of bursting activity in connected neuronal sub-populations. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107400. [PMID: 25250616 PMCID: PMC4175468 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Uniform and modular primary hippocampal cultures from embryonic rats were grown on commercially available micro-electrode arrays to investigate network activity with respect to development and integration of different neuronal populations. Modular networks consisting of two confined active and inter-connected sub-populations of neurons were realized by means of bi-compartmental polydimethylsiloxane structures. Spontaneous activity in both uniform and modular cultures was periodically monitored, from three up to eight weeks after plating. Compared to uniform cultures and despite lower cellular density, modular networks interestingly showed higher firing rates at earlier developmental stages, and network-wide firing and bursting statistics were less variable over time. Although globally less correlated than uniform cultures, modular networks exhibited also higher intra-cluster than inter-cluster correlations, thus demonstrating that segregation and integration of activity coexisted in this simple yet powerful in vitro model. Finally, the peculiar synchronized bursting activity shown by confined modular networks preferentially propagated within one of the two compartments (‘dominant’), even in cases of perfect balance of firing rate between the two sub-populations. This dominance was generally maintained during the entire monitored developmental frame, thus suggesting that the implementation of this hierarchy arose from early network development.
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Simi A, Amin H, Maccione A, Nieus T, Berdondini L. Integration of microstructured scaffolds, neurons, and multielectrode arrays. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2014; 214:415-42. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63486-3.00017-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Bosca A, Martina M, Py C. Planar patch clamp for neuronal networks--considerations and future perspectives. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1183:93-113. [PMID: 25023304 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1096-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The patch-clamp technique is generally accepted as the gold standard for studying ion channel activity allowing investigators to either "clamp" membrane voltage and directly measure transmembrane currents through ion channels, or to passively monitor spontaneously occurring intracellular voltage oscillations. However, this resulting high information content comes at a price. The technique is labor-intensive and requires highly trained personnel and expensive equipment. This seriously limits its application as an interrogation tool for drug development. Patch-clamp chips have been developed in the last decade to overcome the tedious manipulations associated with the use of glass pipettes in conventional patch-clamp experiments. In this chapter, we describe some of the main materials and fabrication protocols that have been developed to date for the production of patch-clamp chips. We also present the concept of a patch-clamp chip array providing high resolution patch-clamp recordings from individual cells at multiple sites in a network of communicating neurons. On this chip, the neurons are aligned with the aperture-probes using chemical patterning. In the discussion we review the potential use of this technology for pharmaceutical assays, neuronal physiology and synaptic plasticity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Bosca
- Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy,
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