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Jones PD, Molina-Martínez B, Niedworok A, Cesare P. A microphysiological system for parallelized morphological and electrophysiological read-out of 3D neuronal cell culture. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1750-1761. [PMID: 38348692 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00963g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Three-dimensional in vitro models in microfluidic systems are promising tools for studying cell biology, with complex models using multiple cell types combined with high resolution imaging. Neuronal models demand electrical readout of the activity of networks of single neurons, yet classical planar microelectrode arrays struggle to capture extracellular action potentials when neural soma are suspended distant from the microelectrodes. This study introduces sophisticated microfluidic microelectrode arrays, specifically tailored for electrophysiology of 3D neuronal cultures. Using multilayer photolithography of permanent epoxy photoresists, we developed devices having 12 independent culture modules in a convenient format. Each module has two adjacent compartments for hydrogel-based 3D cell culture, with tunnels allowing projection of neurites between compartments. Microelectrodes integrated in the tunnels record action potentials as they pass between the compartments. Mesh ceilings separate the compartments from overlying wells, allowing for simple cell seeding and later nutrient, gas and waste exchange and application of test substances. Using these devices, we have demonstrated 3D neuronal culture, including electrophysiological recording and live imaging. This microphysiological platform will enable high-throughput investigation of neuronal networks for investigation of neurological disorders, neural pharmacology and basic neuroscience. Further models could include cocultures representing multiple brain regions or innervation models of other organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Jones
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany.
| | - Beatriz Molina-Martínez
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany.
| | - Anita Niedworok
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany.
| | - Paolo Cesare
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany.
- Department for Microphysiological Systems, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
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2
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Zips S, Huang B, Hotte S, Hiendlmeier L, Wang C, Rajamani K, Buriez O, Al Boustani G, Chen Y, Wolfrum B, Yamada A. Aerosol Jet-Printed High-Aspect Ratio Micro-Needle Electrode Arrays Applied for Human Cerebral Organoids and 3D Neurospheroid Networks. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37469180 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c06210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The human brain is a complex and poorly accessible organ. Thus, new tools are required for studying the neural function in a controllable environment that preserves multicellular interaction and neuronal wiring. In particular, high-throughput methods that alleviate the need for animal experiments are essential for future studies. Recent developments of induced pluripotent stem cell technologies have enabled in vitro modeling of the human brain by creating three-dimensional brain tissue mimic structures. To leverage these new technologies, a systematic and versatile approach for evaluating neuronal activity at larger tissue depths within the regime of tens to hundreds of micrometers is required. Here, we present an aerosol-jet- and inkjet-printing-based method to fabricate microelectrode arrays, equipped with high-aspect ratio μ-needle electrodes that penetrate 3D neural network assemblies. The arrays have been successfully applied for electrophysiological recordings on interconnected neurospheroids formed on an engineered substrate and on cerebral organoids, both derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Zips
- Neuroelectronics─Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 11, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Boxin Huang
- PASTEUR, Department of Chemistry, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Salammbô Hotte
- PASTEUR, Department of Chemistry, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Lukas Hiendlmeier
- Neuroelectronics─Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 11, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Chen Wang
- Neuroelectronics─Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 11, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Karthyayani Rajamani
- PASTEUR, Department of Chemistry, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Buriez
- PASTEUR, Department of Chemistry, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - George Al Boustani
- Neuroelectronics─Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 11, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Yong Chen
- PASTEUR, Department of Chemistry, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Bernhard Wolfrum
- Neuroelectronics─Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 11, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Ayako Yamada
- PASTEUR, Department of Chemistry, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
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3
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Jeong S, Kang HW, Kim SH, Hong GS, Nam MH, Seong J, Yoon ES, Cho IJ, Chung S, Bang S, Kim HN, Choi N. Integration of reconfigurable microchannels into aligned three-dimensional neural networks for spatially controllable neuromodulation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf0925. [PMID: 36897938 PMCID: PMC10005277 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf0925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Anisotropically organized neural networks are indispensable routes for functional connectivity in the brain, which remains largely unknown. While prevailing animal models require additional preparation and stimulation-applying devices and have exhibited limited capabilities regarding localized stimulation, no in vitro platform exists that permits spatiotemporal control of chemo-stimulation in anisotropic three-dimensional (3D) neural networks. We present the integration of microchannels seamlessly into a fibril-aligned 3D scaffold by adapting a single fabrication principle. We investigated the underlying physics of elastic microchannels' ridges and interfacial sol-gel transition of collagen under compression to determine a critical window of geometry and strain. We demonstrated the spatiotemporally resolved neuromodulation in an aligned 3D neural network by local deliveries of KCl and Ca2+ signal inhibitors, such as tetrodotoxin, nifedipine, and mibefradil, and also visualized Ca2+ signal propagation with a speed of ~3.7 μm/s. We anticipate that our technology will pave the way to elucidate functional connectivity and neurological diseases associated with transsynaptic propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohyeon Jeong
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Korea
- MEPSGEN Co. Ltd., Seoul 05836, Korea
| | - Hyun Wook Kang
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - So Hyun Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
- SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Seongnam 13494, Korea
| | - Gyu-Sang Hong
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Min-Ho Nam
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Jihye Seong
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Korea
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
- KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02453, Korea
| | - Eui-Sung Yoon
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
- Division of Nano and Information Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Il-Joo Cho
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Seok Chung
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Seokyoung Bang
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Goyang 10326, Korea
| | - Hong Nam Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Korea
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Yonsei-KIST Convergence Research Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Nakwon Choi
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
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4
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Brown S, Atherton E, Borton DA. A Three-Dimensional Primary Cortical Culture System Compatible with Transgenic Disease Models, Virally Mediated Fluorescence, and Live Microscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2683:153-167. [PMID: 37300773 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3287-1_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In vitro cell culture models can offer high-resolution and high-throughput experimentation of cellular behaviors. However, in vitro culture approaches often fail to fully recapitulate complex cell processes involving synergistic interactions between heterogeneous neural cell populations and the surrounding neural microenvironment. Here, we describe the formation of a three-dimensional primary cortical cell culture system compatible with live confocal microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Brown
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Elaina Atherton
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - David A Borton
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
- Department of Veteran Affairs, Providence Medical Center, Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology, Providence, RI, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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5
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Effect of 3D Synthetic Microscaffold Nichoid on the Morphology of Cultured Hippocampal Neurons and Astrocytes. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132008. [PMID: 35805092 PMCID: PMC9265925 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The human brain is the most complex organ in biology. This complexity is due to the number and the intricate connections of brain cells and has so far limited the development of in vitro models for basic and applied brain research. We decided to create a new, reliable, and cost-effective in vitro system based on the Nichoid, a 3D microscaffold microfabricated by two-photon laser polymerization technology. We investigated whether these 3D microscaffold devices can create an environment allowing the manipulation, monitoring, and functional assessment of a mixed population of brain cells in vitro. With this aim, we set up a new model of hippocampal neurons and astrocytes co-cultured in the Nichoid microscaffold to generate brain micro-tissues of 30 μm thickness. After 21 days in culture, we morphologically characterized the 3D spatial organization of the hippocampal astrocytes and neurons within the microscaffold, and we compared our observations to those made using the classical 2D co-culture system. We found that the co-cultured cells colonized the entire volume of the 3D devices. Using confocal microscopy, we observed that within this period the different cell types had become well-differentiated. This was further elaborated with the use of drebrin, PSD-95, and synaptophysin antibodies that labeled the majority of neurons, both in the 2D as well as in the 3D co-cultures. Using scanning electron microscopy, we found that neurons in the 3D co-culture displayed a significantly larger amount of dendritic protrusions compared to neurons in the 2D co-culture. This latter observation indicates that neurons growing in a 3D environment may be more prone to form connections than those co-cultured in a 2D condition. Our results show that the Nichoid can be used as a 3D device to investigate the structure and morphology of neurons and astrocytes in vitro. In the future, this model can be used as a tool to study brain cell interactions in the discovery of important mechanisms governing neuronal plasticity and to determine the factors that form the basis of different human brain diseases. This system may potentially be further used for drug screening in the context of various brain diseases.
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6
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Electrophysiological Recordings from Embryonic Mouse Motoneurons Cultured on Electrospun Poly-Lactic Acid (PLA) and Polypyrrole-Coated PLA Scaffolds. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2022; 26:183-92. [PMID: 35373542 PMCID: PMC9440684 DOI: 10.52547/ibj.26.3.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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7
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Weir N, Stevens B, Wagner S, Miles A, Ball G, Howard C, Chemmarappally J, McGinnity M, Hargreaves AJ, Tinsley C. Aligned Poly-l-lactic Acid Nanofibers Induce Self-Assembly of Primary Cortical Neurons into 3D Cell Clusters. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:765-776. [PMID: 35084839 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c01102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Relative to two-dimensional (2D) culture, three-dimensional (3D) culture of primary neurons has yielded increasingly physiological responses from cells. Electrospun nanofiber scaffolds are frequently used as a 3D biomaterial support for primary neurons in neural tissue engineering, while hydrophobic surfaces typically induce aggregation of cells. Poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) was electrospun as aligned PLLA nanofiber scaffolds to generate a structure with both qualities. Primary cortical neurons from E18 Sprague-Dawley rats cultured on aligned PLLA nanofibers generated 3D clusters of cells that extended highly aligned, fasciculated neurite bundles within 10 days. These clusters were viable for 28 days and responsive to AMPA and GABA. Relative to the 2D culture, the 3D cultures exhibited a more developed profile; mass spectrometry demonstrated an upregulation of proteins involved in cortical lamination, polarization, and axon fasciculation and a downregulation of immature neuronal markers. The use of artificial neural network inference suggests that the increased formation of synapses may drive the increase in development that is observed for the 3D cell clusters. This research suggests that aligned PLLA nanofibers may be highly useful for generating advanced 3D cell cultures for high-throughput systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Weir
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Bob Stevens
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Sarah Wagner
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Amanda Miles
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Graham Ball
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Charlotte Howard
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Joseph Chemmarappally
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Martin McGinnity
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Alan Jeffrey Hargreaves
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
| | - Chris Tinsley
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, U.K
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8
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Molina-Martínez B, Jentsch LV, Ersoy F, van der Moolen M, Donato S, Ness TV, Heutink P, Jones PD, Cesare P. A multimodal 3D neuro-microphysiological system with neurite-trapping microelectrodes. Biofabrication 2021; 14. [PMID: 34942606 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac463b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional cell technologies as pre-clinical models are emerging tools for mimicking the structural and functional complexity of the nervous system. The accurate exploration of phenotypes in engineered 3D neuronal cultures, however, demands morphological, molecular and especially functional measurements. Particularly crucial is measurement of electrical activity of individual neurons with millisecond resolution. Current techniques rely on customized electrophysiological recording set-ups, characterized by limited throughput and poor integration with other readout modalities. Here we describe a novel approach, using multiwell glass microfluidic microelectrode arrays, allowing non-invasive electrical recording from engineered 3D neural tissues. We demonstrate parallelized studies with reference compounds, calcium imaging and optogenetic stimulation. Additionally, we show how microplate compatibility allows automated handling and high-content analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. This microphysiological platform opens up new avenues for high-throughput studies on the functional, morphological and molecular details of neurological diseases and their potential treatment by therapeutic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Molina-Martínez
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Markwiesenstrasse 55, Reutlingen, 72770, GERMANY
| | - Laura-Victoria Jentsch
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Markwiesenstrasse 55, Reutlingen, 72770, GERMANY
| | - Fulya Ersoy
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Markwiesenstrasse 55, Reutlingen, 72770, GERMANY
| | - Matthijs van der Moolen
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Markwiesenstrasse 55, Reutlingen, 72770, GERMANY
| | - Stella Donato
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Otfried Müller Strasse 23, Tübingen, 72076, GERMANY
| | - Torbjørn V Ness
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences NMBU, Universitetstunet 3, As, 1432, NORWAY
| | - Peter Heutink
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Otfried Müller Strasse 23, Tübingen, 72076, GERMANY
| | - Peter D Jones
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen (Germany), Markwiesenstrasse 55, Reutlingen, 72770, GERMANY
| | - Paolo Cesare
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Markwiesenstrasse 55, Reutlingen, 72770, GERMANY
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9
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Josephine Boder E, Banerjee IA. Alzheimer's Disease: Current Perspectives and Advances in Physiological Modeling. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:211. [PMID: 34940364 PMCID: PMC8698996 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8120211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Though Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, complete disease-modifying treatments are yet to be fully attained. Until recently, transgenic mice constituted most in vitro model systems of AD used for preclinical drug screening; however, these models have so far failed to adequately replicate the disease's pathophysiology. However, the generation of humanized APOE4 mouse models has led to key discoveries. Recent advances in stem cell differentiation techniques and the development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have facilitated the development of novel in vitro devices. These "microphysiological" systems-in vitro human cell culture systems designed to replicate in vivo physiology-employ varying levels of biomimicry and engineering control. Spheroid-based organoids, 3D cell culture systems, and microfluidic devices or a combination of these have the potential to replicate AD pathophysiology and pathogenesis in vitro and thus serve as both tools for testing therapeutics and models for experimental manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ipsita A. Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458, USA;
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10
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Capturing the third dimension in drug discovery: Spatially-resolved tools for interrogation of complex 3D cell models. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 55:107883. [PMID: 34875362 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Advanced three-dimensional (3D) cell models have proven to be capable of depicting architectural and microenvironmental features of several tissues. By providing data of higher physiological and pathophysiological relevance, 3D cell models have been contributing to a better understanding of human development, pathology onset and progression mechanisms, as well as for 3D cell-based assays for drug discovery. Nonetheless, the characterization and interrogation of these tissue-like structures pose major challenges on the conventional analytical methods, pushing the development of spatially-resolved technologies. Herein, we review recent advances and pioneering technologies suitable for the interrogation of multicellular 3D models, while capable of retaining biological spatial information. We focused on imaging technologies and omics tools, namely transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. The advantages and shortcomings of these novel methodologies are discussed, alongside the opportunities to intertwine data from the different tools.
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Guy B, Zhang JS, Duncan LH, Johnston RJ. Human neural organoids: Models for developmental neurobiology and disease. Dev Biol 2021; 478:102-121. [PMID: 34181916 PMCID: PMC8364509 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Human organoids stand at the forefront of basic and translational research, providing experimentally tractable systems to study human development and disease. These stem cell-derived, in vitro cultures can generate a multitude of tissue and organ types, including distinct brain regions and sensory systems. Neural organoid systems have provided fundamental insights into molecular mechanisms governing cell fate specification and neural circuit assembly and serve as promising tools for drug discovery and understanding disease pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss several human neural organoid systems, how they are generated, advances in 3D imaging and bioengineering, and the impact of organoid studies on our understanding of the human nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Guy
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Jingliang Simon Zhang
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Leighton H Duncan
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Robert J Johnston
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.
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12
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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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13
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Roy HS, Singh R, Ghosh D. SARS-CoV-2 and tissue damage: current insights and biomaterial-based therapeutic strategies. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:2804-2824. [PMID: 33666206 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm02077j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on humanity has gained worldwide attention and importance due to the rapid transmission, lack of treatment options and high mortality rate of the virus. While scientists across the world are searching for vaccines/drugs that can control the spread of the virus and/or reduce the risks associated with infection, patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been reported to have tissue/organ damage. With most tissues/organs having limited regenerative potential, interventions that prevent further damage or facilitate healing would be helpful. In the past few decades, biomaterials have gained prominence in the field of tissue engineering, in view of their major role in the regenerative process. Here we describe the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on multiple tissues/organs, and provide evidence for the positive role of biomaterials in aiding tissue repair. These findings are further extrapolated to explore their prospects as a therapeutic platform to address the tissue/organ damage that is frequently observed during this viral outbreak. This study suggests that the biomaterial-based approach could be an effective strategy for regenerating tissues/organs damaged by SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himadri Shekhar Roy
- Department of Biological Science, Institute of Nanoscience and Technology (INST), Habitat Centre, Sector 64, Phase 10, Mohali-160062, Punjab, India.
| | - Rupali Singh
- Department of Biological Science, Institute of Nanoscience and Technology (INST), Habitat Centre, Sector 64, Phase 10, Mohali-160062, Punjab, India.
| | - Deepa Ghosh
- Department of Biological Science, Institute of Nanoscience and Technology (INST), Habitat Centre, Sector 64, Phase 10, Mohali-160062, Punjab, India.
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14
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Forro C, Caron D, Angotzi GN, Gallo V, Berdondini L, Santoro F, Palazzolo G, Panuccio G. Electrophysiology Read-Out Tools for Brain-on-Chip Biotechnology. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:124. [PMID: 33498905 PMCID: PMC7912435 DOI: 10.3390/mi12020124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Brain-on-Chip (BoC) biotechnology is emerging as a promising tool for biomedical and pharmaceutical research applied to the neurosciences. At the convergence between lab-on-chip and cell biology, BoC couples in vitro three-dimensional brain-like systems to an engineered microfluidics platform designed to provide an in vivo-like extrinsic microenvironment with the aim of replicating tissue- or organ-level physiological functions. BoC therefore offers the advantage of an in vitro reproduction of brain structures that is more faithful to the native correlate than what is obtained with conventional cell culture techniques. As brain function ultimately results in the generation of electrical signals, electrophysiology techniques are paramount for studying brain activity in health and disease. However, as BoC is still in its infancy, the availability of combined BoC-electrophysiology platforms is still limited. Here, we summarize the available biological substrates for BoC, starting with a historical perspective. We then describe the available tools enabling BoC electrophysiology studies, detailing their fabrication process and technical features, along with their advantages and limitations. We discuss the current and future applications of BoC electrophysiology, also expanding to complementary approaches. We conclude with an evaluation of the potential translational applications and prospective technology developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Forro
- Tissue Electronics, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci, 53-80125 Naples, Italy; (C.F.); (F.S.)
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Davide Caron
- Enhanced Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30-16163 Genova, Italy; (D.C.); (V.G.)
| | - Gian Nicola Angotzi
- Microtechnology for Neuroelectronics, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30-16163 Genova, Italy; (G.N.A.); (L.B.)
| | - Vincenzo Gallo
- Enhanced Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30-16163 Genova, Italy; (D.C.); (V.G.)
| | - Luca Berdondini
- Microtechnology for Neuroelectronics, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30-16163 Genova, Italy; (G.N.A.); (L.B.)
| | - Francesca Santoro
- Tissue Electronics, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci, 53-80125 Naples, Italy; (C.F.); (F.S.)
| | - Gemma Palazzolo
- Enhanced Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30-16163 Genova, Italy; (D.C.); (V.G.)
| | - Gabriella Panuccio
- Enhanced Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego, 30-16163 Genova, Italy; (D.C.); (V.G.)
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15
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Zhu H, Qiao X, Liu W, Wang C, Zhao Y. Microglia Play an Essential Role in Synapse Development and Neuron Maturation in Tissue-Engineered Neural Tissues. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:586452. [PMID: 33328858 PMCID: PMC7717954 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.586452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In the process of constructing engineered neural tissues, we often use mixed primary neural cells, which contain microglia in the cell culture. However, the role that microglia play in the construction of engineered neural tissue has not been well studied. Here, we generated three-dimensional (3D) engineered neural tissues by silk fibroin/collagen composite scaffolds and primary mixed cortical cells. We depleted microglial cells by magnetic separation. Then, we analyzed the neural growth, development, mature and synapse-related gene, and protein expressions compared with the control engineered neural tissues with the microglia-depleted engineered neural tissues. We found that the engineered neural tissues constructed by magnetic separation to remove microglia showed a decrease in the number of synaptic proteins and mature neurons. These findings link microglia to neuron and synaptic maturation and suggest the importance of microglia in constructing engineered neural tissues in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Zhu
- Tissue Engineering Research Center, Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Department of Neural Engineering and BiologicalInterdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Qiao
- Tissue Engineering Research Center, Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Department of Neural Engineering and BiologicalInterdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Tissue Engineering Research Center, Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Department of Neural Engineering and BiologicalInterdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Changyong Wang
- Tissue Engineering Research Center, Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Department of Neural Engineering and BiologicalInterdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuwei Zhao
- Tissue Engineering Research Center, Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Department of Neural Engineering and BiologicalInterdisciplinary Studies, Institute of Military Cognition and Brain Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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16
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Kundu A, McCoy L, Azim N, Nguyen H, Didier CM, Ausaf T, Sharma AD, Curley JL, Moore MJ, Rajaraman S. Fabrication and Characterization of 3D Printed, 3D Microelectrode Arrays for Interfacing with a Peripheral Nerve-on-a-Chip. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 7:3018-3029. [PMID: 34275292 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We present a nontraditional fabrication technique for the realization of three-dimensional (3D) microelectrode arrays (MEAs) capable of interfacing with 3D cellular networks in vitro. The technology uses cost-effective makerspace microfabrication techniques to fabricate the 3D MEAs with 3D printed base structures with the metallization of the microtowers and conductive traces being performed by stencil mask evaporation techniques. A biocompatible lamination layer insulates the traces for realization of 3D microtower MEAs (250 μm base diameter, 400 μm height). The process has additionally been extended to realize smaller electrodes (30 μm × 30 μm) at a height of 400 μm atop the 3D microtower using laser micromachining of an additional silicon dioxide (SiO2) insulation layer. A 3D microengineered, nerve-on-a-chip in vitro model for recording and stimulating electrical activity of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells has further been integrated with the 3D MEA. We have characterized the 3D electrodes for electrical, chemical, electrochemical, biological, and chip hydration stability performance metrics. A decrease in impedance from 1.8 kΩ to 670 Ω for the microtower electrodes and 55 to 39 kΩ for the 30 μm × 30 μm microelectrodes can be observed for an electrophysiologically relevant frequency of 1 kHz upon platinum electroless plating. Biocompatibility assays on the components of the system resulted in a large range (∼3%-70% live cells), depending on the components. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of the resin material start to reveal possible compositional clues for the resin, and the hydration stability is demonstrated in in-vitro-like conditions for 30 days. The fabricated 3D MEAs are rapidly produced with minimal usage of a cleanroom and are fully functional for electrical interrogation of the 3D organ-on-a-chip models for high-throughput of pharmaceutical screening and toxicity testing of compounds in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avra Kundu
- NanoScience Technology Center (NSTC), University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816, United States
| | - Laurie McCoy
- AxoSim, Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Nilab Azim
- NanoScience Technology Center (NSTC), University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816, United States
| | - Hieu Nguyen
- AxoSim, Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Charles M Didier
- NanoScience Technology Center (NSTC), University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816, United States.,Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32827, United States
| | - Tariq Ausaf
- NanoScience Technology Center (NSTC), University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816, United States.,Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
| | - Anup D Sharma
- AxoSim, Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - J Lowry Curley
- AxoSim, Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Michael J Moore
- AxoSim, Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | - Swaminathan Rajaraman
- NanoScience Technology Center (NSTC), University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816, United States.,Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32827, United States.,Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States.,Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, United States
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17
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Vernekar VN, LaPlaca MC. 3-D multi-electrode arrays detect early spontaneous electrophysiological activity in 3-D neuronal-astrocytic co-cultures. Biomed Eng Lett 2020; 10:579-591. [PMID: 33194249 DOI: 10.1007/s13534-020-00166-5] [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: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3-D) neural cultures represent a promising platform for studying disease and drug screening. Tools and methodologies for measuring the electrophysiological function in these cultures are needed. Therefore, the purpose of this work was primarily to develop a methodology to interface engineered 3-D dissociated neural cultures with commercially available 3-D multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) reliably over 3 weeks to enable the recording of their electrophysiological activity. We further compared the functional output of these cultures to their structural and synaptic network development over time. We reliably interfaced a primary rodent neuron-astrocyte (2:1) 3-D co-culture (2500 cells/mm3 plating cell density) in Matrigel™ (7.5 mg/mL) that was up to 750 µm thick (30-40 cell-layers) with spiked 3-D MEAs while maintaining high viability. Using these MEAs we successfully recorded the spontaneous development of neural network-level electrophysiological activity and measured the development of putative synapses and neuronal maturation in these co-cultures using immunocytochemistry over 3 weeks in vitro. Planar (2-D) MEAs interfaced with these cultures served as recording controls. Neurons within this interfaced 3-D culture-MEA system exhibited considerable neurite outgrowth, networking, neuronal maturation, synaptogenesis, and culture-wide spontaneous firing of synchronized spikes and bursts of action potentials. Network-wide spikes and synchronized bursts increased rapidly (first detected at 2 days) during the first week in culture, plateaued during the second week, and reduced slightly in the third week, while maintaining high viability throughout the 3-week culturing period. Early electrophysiology activity occurred prior to neuronal process maturation and significant synaptic density increases in the second week. We successfully interfaced 3-D neural co-cultures with 3-D MEAs and recorded the electrophysiological activity of these cultures over 3 weeks. The initial period of rapid increase in electrophysiological activity, followed by a period of neuronal maturation and high-level of synapse formation in these cultures suggests a developmental homeostatic process. This methodology can enable future applications both in fundamental investigations of neural network behavior and in translational studies involving drug testing and neural interfacing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varadraj N Vernekar
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory, Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, 313 Ferst Dr., Atlanta, GA 30332-0535 USA
| | - Michelle C LaPlaca
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory, Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, 313 Ferst Dr., Atlanta, GA 30332-0535 USA
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18
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Harberts J, Fendler C, Teuber J, Siegmund M, Silva A, Rieck N, Wolpert M, Zierold R, Blick RH. Toward Brain-on-a-Chip: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Guided Neuronal Networks in Tailor-Made 3D Nanoprinted Microscaffolds. ACS NANO 2020; 14:13091-13102. [PMID: 33058673 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c04640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Brain-on-a-chip (BoC) concepts should consider three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds to mimic the 3D nature of the human brain not accessible by conventional planar cell culturing. Furthermore, the essential key to adequately address drug development for human pathophysiological diseases of the nervous system, such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, is to employ human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons instead of neurons from animal models. To address both issues, we present electrophysiologically mature human iPSC-derived neurons cultured in BoC applicable microscaffolds prepared by direct laser writing. 3D nanoprinted tailor-made elevated cavities interconnected by freestanding microchannels were used to create defined neuronal networks-as a proof of concept-with two-dimensional topology. The neuronal outgrowth in these nonplanar structures was investigated, among others, in terms of neurite length, size of continuous networks, and branching behavior using z-stacks prepared by confocal microscopy and cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy images prepared by focused ion beam milling. Functionality of the human iPSC-derived neurons was demonstrated with patch clamp measurements in both current- and voltage-clamp mode. Action potentials and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents-fundamental prerequisites for proper network signaling-prove full integrity of these artificial neuronal networks. Considering the network formation occurring within only a few days and the versatile nature of direct laser writing to create even more complex scaffolds for 3D network topologies, we believe that our study offers additional approaches in human disease research to mimic the complex interconnectivity of the human brain in BoC studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jann Harberts
- Center for Hybrid Nanostructures, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cornelius Fendler
- Center for Hybrid Nanostructures, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jeremy Teuber
- Center for Hybrid Nanostructures, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malte Siegmund
- Center for Hybrid Nanostructures, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Aaron Silva
- Center for Hybrid Nanostructures, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Niklas Rieck
- Center for Hybrid Nanostructures, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- School of Life Science Hamburg gGmbH, Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Merle Wolpert
- Center for Hybrid Nanostructures, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- School of Life Science Hamburg gGmbH, Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Robert Zierold
- Center for Hybrid Nanostructures, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Robert H Blick
- Center for Hybrid Nanostructures, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Material Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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19
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Raimondi I, Tunesi M, Forloni G, Albani D, Giordano C. 3D brain tissue physiological model with co-cultured primary neurons and glial cells in hydrogels. J Tissue Eng 2020; 11:2041731420963981. [PMID: 33117519 PMCID: PMC7570768 DOI: 10.1177/2041731420963981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, researchers have focused on the role of gut microbiota on human health and reported the existence of a bidirectional relationship between intestinal microbiota and the brain, referred to as microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). In this context, the development of an organ-on-a-chip platform recapitulating the main players of the MGBA would help in the investigations of the biochemical mechanisms involved. In this work, we focused on the development of a new, hydrogel-based, 3D brain-like tissue model to be hosted in the brain compartment of the aforementioned platform. We previously cultured primary mouse microglial cells, cortical neurons and astrocytes independently, once embedded or covered by a millimeter layer of two selected collagen-based hydrogels. We evaluated cell metabolic activity up to 21 days, cell morphology, spatial distribution and synapse formation. Then, we exploited the best performing culturing condition and developed a more complex brain-like tissue model based on the co-culture of cortical neurons and glial cells in physiological conditions. The obtained results indicate that our 3D hydrogel-based brain tissue model is suitable to recapitulate in vitro the key biochemical parameters of brain tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Raimondi
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Tunesi
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Albani
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Carmen Giordano
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
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20
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Abstract
Modulation of cellular electrophysiology helps develop an understanding of cellular development and function in healthy and diseased states. We modulate the electrophysiology of neuronal cells in two-dimensional (2D) and 3D assemblies with subcellular precision via photothermal stimulation using a multiscale fuzzy graphene nanostructure. Nanowire (NW)-templated 3D fuzzy graphene (NT-3DFG) nanostructures enable remote, nongenetic photothermal stimulation with laser energies as low as subhundred nanojoules without generating cellular stress. NT-3DFG serves as a powerful toolset for studies of cell signaling within and between in vitro 3D models (human-based organoids and spheroids) and can enable therapeutic interventions. The ability to modulate cellular electrophysiology is fundamental to the investigation of development, function, and disease. Currently, there is a need for remote, nongenetic, light-induced control of cellular activity in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) platforms. Here, we report a breakthrough hybrid nanomaterial for remote, nongenetic, photothermal stimulation of 2D and 3D neural cellular systems. We combine one-dimensional (1D) nanowires (NWs) and 2D graphene flakes grown out-of-plane for highly controlled photothermal stimulation at subcellular precision without the need for genetic modification, with laser energies lower than a hundred nanojoules, one to two orders of magnitude lower than Au-, C-, and Si-based nanomaterials. Photothermal stimulation using NW-templated 3D fuzzy graphene (NT-3DFG) is flexible due to its broadband absorption and does not generate cellular stress. Therefore, it serves as a powerful toolset for studies of cell signaling within and between tissues and can enable therapeutic interventions.
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21
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Schaumann EN, Tian B. Biological Interfaces, Modulation, and Sensing with Inorganic Nano-Bioelectronic Materials. SMALL METHODS 2020; 4:1900868. [PMID: 34295965 PMCID: PMC8294120 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.201900868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The last several years have seen a large and increasing interest in scientific developments that combine methods and materials from nanotechnology with questions and applications in bioelectronics. This follows with a number of broader trends: the rapid increase in functionality for materials at the nanoscale; a growing recognition of the importance of electric fields in diverse physiological processes; and continuous improvements in technologies that are naturally complementary with bioelectronics, such as optogenetics. Here, a progress report is provided on several of the most exciting recent developments in this field. The three critical functions of biointerface formation, biological modulation, and biological sensing using newly developed nanoscale materials are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik N Schaumann
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Bozhi Tian
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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22
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Soscia DA, Lam D, Tooker AC, Enright HA, Triplett M, Karande P, Peters SKG, Sales AP, Wheeler EK, Fischer NO. A flexible 3-dimensional microelectrode array for in vitro brain models. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:901-911. [PMID: 31976505 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc01148j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models have become increasingly popular as systems to study cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions dependent on the spatial, mechanical, and chemical cues within the environment of the tissue, which is limited in traditional two-dimensional (2D) models. Although electrophysiological recordings of neuronal action potentials through 2D microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are a common and trusted method of evaluating neuronal function, network communication, and response to chemicals and biologicals, there are currently limited options for measuring electrophysiological activity from many locations simultaneously throughout a 3D network of neurons in vitro. Here, we have developed a thin-film, 3D flexible microelectrode array (3DMEA) that non-invasively interrogates a 3D culture of neurons and can accommodate 256 channels of recording or stimulation. Importantly, the 3DMEA is straightforward to fabricate and integrates with standard commercially available electrophysiology hardware. Polyimide probe arrays were microfabricated on glass substrates and mechanically actuated to collectively lift the arrays into a vertical position, relying solely on plastic deformation of their base hinge regions to maintain vertical alignment. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons and astrocytes were entrapped in a collagen-based hydrogel and seeded onto the 3DMEA, enabling growth of suspended cells in the matrix and the formation and maturation of a neural network around the 3DMEA probes. The 3DMEA supported the growth of functional neurons in 3D with action potential spike and burst activity recorded over 45 days in vitro. This platform is an important step in facilitating noninvasive electrophysiological characterization of 3D networks of electroactive cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Soscia
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Doris Lam
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, USA.
| | - Angela C Tooker
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Heather A Enright
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, USA.
| | - Michael Triplett
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Piyush Karande
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Sandra K G Peters
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, USA.
| | - Ana Paula Sales
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Elizabeth K Wheeler
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Nicholas O Fischer
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, USA.
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23
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Amini M, Kalvøy H, Martinsen Ø. Finite Element Simulation of the Impedance Response of a Vascular Segment as a Function of Changes in Electrode Configuration. JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL BIOIMPEDANCE 2020; 11:112-131. [PMID: 33584912 PMCID: PMC7851985 DOI: 10.2478/joeb-2020-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring a biological tissue as a three dimensional (3D) model is of high importance. Both the measurement technique and the measuring electrode play substantial roles in providing accurate 3D measurements. Bioimpedance spectroscopy has proven to be a noninvasive method providing the possibility of monitoring a 3D construct in a real time manner. On the other hand, advances in electrode fabrication has made it possible to use flexible electrodes with different configurations, which makes 3D measurements possible. However, designing an experimental measurement set-up for monitoring a 3D construct can be costly and time consuming and would require many tissue models. Finite element modeling methods provide a simple alternative for studying the performance of the electrode and the measurement set-up before starting with the experimental measurements. Therefore, in this study we employed the COMSOL Multiphysics finite element modeling method for simulating the effects of changing the electrode configuration on the impedance spectroscopy measurements of a venous segment. For this purpose, the simulations were performed for models with different electrode configurations. The simulation results provided us with the possibility of finding the optimal electrode configuration including the geometry, number and dimensions of the electrodes, which can be later employed in the experimental measurement set-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Amini
- Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - H. Kalvøy
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Engineering, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ø.G. Martinsen
- Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Engineering, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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24
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Evans MG, Al-Shakli A, Chari DM. Electrophysiological properties of neurons grown on soft polymer scaffolds reveal the potential to develop neuromimetic culture environments. Integr Biol (Camb) 2019; 11:395-403. [PMID: 31922538 DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyz033] [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] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Tissue engineering methodologies for various physiological systems are seeing a significant trend towards 3D cell culture in or on 'soft' polymeric hydrogel materials, widely considered to provide a more biomimetic environment for cell growth versus 'hard' materials such as glass or plastic. Progress has been slower with 3D neural cell culture with current studies overwhelmingly reliant on hard substrates. Accordingly, our knowledge of the alterations in electrochemical properties of neurons propagated in soft materials is relatively limited. In this study, primary cortical neurons and glial cells were seeded onto the surface of collagen hydrogels and grown in vitro for 7-8 days. At this time, neurons had formed a complex neurite web interspersed with astrocytes. Neuronal patch clamp recordings revealed voltage-gated Na+ and K+ currents in voltage clamp and action potentials in current clamp. When measured at voltages close to maximum activation, both currents were >1 nA in mean amplitude. When compared to primary cortical neurons cultured on glass coverslips, but otherwise under similar conditions (Evans et al., 2017), the Na+ current from hydrogel neurons was found to be significantly larger although there were no differences in the K+ current amplitude, membrane potential, input resistance or cell capacitance. We speculate that the larger size of the neuronal voltage-dependent Na+ current in the hydrogels is related to the better biomimetic properties of the soft material, being close to values reported for neurons recorded in brain slices. The results highlight the potential benefits offered by neuronal culture on soft and biomimetic polymeric materials for neural tissue engineering studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arwa Al-Shakli
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Divya M Chari
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
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25
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Bowser DA, Moore MJ. Biofabrication of neural microphysiological systems using magnetic spheroid bioprinting. Biofabrication 2019; 12:015002. [PMID: 31487700 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ab41b4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The high attrition rate of neuro-pharmaceuticals as they proceed to market necessitates the development of clinically-relevant in vitro neural microphysiological systems that can be utilized during the preclinical screening phase to assess the safety and efficacy of potential compounds. Historically, proposed models have adhered to two distinct approaches; those that are biologically relevant (e.g.-organoids, spheroids) or those that provide engineering control (e.g.-bioprinting, microfluidics). Separately, these approaches fail to fully recapitulate the complex hierarchical structure of the nervous system, limiting their clinical applications. Furthermore, the reliance on manual implementation present in many models fails to effectively scale up or satisfy the consistency standards required for widespread industry adoption. This work serves as a proof-of-concept for merging the two approaches to create a neural microphysiological system that overcomes their individual limitations. Spinal cord spheroids, fabricated using magnetic nanoparticles, are positioned in a three-dimensional hydrogel construct using magnetic bioprinting. Resulting constructs demonstrate both localized cell-cell interactions and long-distance projections that mimic in vivo structure. The use of magnetic nanoparticles for spheroid formation provides batch-to-batch consistency in size and shape and reduces the reliance on trained experimenters for accurate placing for culture. Taken together, this combination approach provides the first steps towards developing a simple approach for integrating spheroid, hydrogel culture, and bioprinting as an alternative to more specialized and expensive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon A Bowser
- Bioinnovation Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States of America. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
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26
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Antill-O'Brien N, Bourke J, O'Connell CD. Layer-By-Layer: The Case for 3D Bioprinting Neurons to Create Patient-Specific Epilepsy Models. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 12:E3218. [PMID: 31581436 PMCID: PMC6804258 DOI: 10.3390/ma12193218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The ability to create three-dimensional (3D) models of brain tissue from patient-derived cells, would open new possibilities in studying the neuropathology of disorders such as epilepsy and schizophrenia. While organoid culture has provided impressive examples of patient-specific models, the generation of organised 3D structures remains a challenge. 3D bioprinting is a rapidly developing technology where living cells, encapsulated in suitable bioink matrices, are printed to form 3D structures. 3D bioprinting may provide the capability to organise neuronal populations in 3D, through layer-by-layer deposition, and thereby recapitulate the complexity of neural tissue. However, printing neuron cells raises particular challenges since the biomaterial environment must be of appropriate softness to allow for the neurite extension, properties which are anathema to building self-supporting 3D structures. Here, we review the topic of 3D bioprinting of neurons, including critical discussions of hardware and bio-ink formulation requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Antill-O'Brien
- BioFab3D, Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia.
| | - Justin Bourke
- BioFab3D, Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia.
| | - Cathal D O'Connell
- BioFab3D, Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
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27
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Katiyar KS, Struzyna LA, Das S, Cullen DK. Stretch growth of motor axons in custom mechanobioreactors to generate long-projecting axonal constructs. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2019; 13:2040-2054. [PMID: 31469944 DOI: 10.1002/term.2955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The central feature of peripheral motor axons is their remarkable lengths as they project from a motor neuron residing in the spinal cord to distant target muscle. However, current in vitro models have not replicated this feature owing to challenges in generating motor axon tracts beyond a few millimeters in length. To address this, we have developed a novel combination of microtissue engineering and mechanically assisted growth techniques to create long-projecting centimeter-scale motor axon tracts. Here, primary motor neurons were isolated from rat spinal cords and induced to form engineered microspheres via forced aggregation in custom microwells. This technique yielded healthy motor neurons projecting dense, fasciculated axonal tracts. Within our custom-built mechanobioreactors, motor neuron culture conditions, neuronal/axonal architecture, and mechanical growth conditions were optimized to generate parameters for robust and efficient stretch growth of motor axons. We found that axons projecting from motor neuron aggregates were able to tolerate displacement rates at least 10 times greater than those by axons projecting from dissociated motor neurons. The growth and structural characteristics of these stretch-grown motor axons were compared with that of benchmark stretch-grown sensory axons, revealing increased motor axon fasciculation. Finally, motor axons were integrated with myocytes and stretch grown to create novel long-projecting axonal-myocyte constructs that recreate characteristic dimensions of native nerve-muscle anatomy. This is the first demonstration of mechanical elongation of spinal motor axons and may have applications as anatomically inspired in vitro testbeds or as tissue-engineered living scaffolds for targeted axon tract reconstruction following nervous system injury or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika S Katiyar
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA.,School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Laura A Struzyna
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA.,Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Suradip Das
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA.,Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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28
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Tate KM, Munson JM. Assessing drug response in engineered brain microenvironments. Brain Res Bull 2019; 150:21-34. [PMID: 31054318 PMCID: PMC6754984 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tissue engineered systems are important models for the testing and discovery of therapeutics against a number of diseases. The use of these models in vitro can expand both our understanding of the mechanisms behind disease and allow for higher throughput and personalized modeling of therapeutic response. Over the past decade there has been an explosion of models of neurological disorders that can be used in vitro to study new therapies against devastating neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and neuro-oncological disease. These models span several types of engineered microenvironments which are produced using microfluidic devices, microtissue technology and/or the incorporation of biomaterial scaffolds to model neurological conditions such as; Alzheimer's disease, idiopathic autism, Parkinson's disease, Zika-induced microcephaly and neoplasms. Using engineered brain microenvironments, therapeutics can be tested in more physiologically relevant ways leading to new knowledge of the underlying causes and interactions occurring at the tissue level. However, much is still left to learn and model within these systems to make them truly valuable in the discovery and testing of novel therapies. Here we review the current state of the art of engineered brain microenvironments being used specifically to screen and test new therapeutic strategies and discuss the current benefits and limitations that still exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinsley M Tate
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Jennifer M Munson
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States.
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29
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Kalmykov A, Huang C, Bliley J, Shiwarski D, Tashman J, Abdullah A, Rastogi SK, Shukla S, Mataev E, Feinberg AW, Hsia KJ, Cohen-Karni T. Organ-on-e-chip: Three-dimensional self-rolled biosensor array for electrical interrogations of human electrogenic spheroids. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaax0729. [PMID: 31467978 PMCID: PMC6707782 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax0729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Cell-cell communication plays a pivotal role in coordination and function of biological systems. Three-dimensional (3D) spheroids provide venues to explore cellular communication for tissue development and drug discovery, as their 3D architecture mimics native in vivo microenvironments. Cellular electrophysiology is a prevalent signaling paradigm for studying electroactive cells. Currently, electrophysiological studies do not provide direct, multisite, simultaneous investigation of tissues in 3D. In this study, 3D self-rolled biosensor arrays (3D-SR-BAs) of either active field-effect transistors or passive microelectrodes were implemented to interface human cardiac spheroids in 3D. The arrays provided continuous and stable multiplexed recordings of field potentials with high sensitivity and spatiotemporal resolution, supported with simultaneous calcium imaging. Our approach enables electrophysiological investigation and monitoring of the complex signal transduction in 3D cellular assemblies toward an organ-on-an-electronic-chip (organ-on-e-chip) platform for tissue maturation investigations and development of drugs for disease treatment, such as arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kalmykov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Changjin Huang
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jacqueline Bliley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Daniel Shiwarski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Joshua Tashman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Arif Abdullah
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Sahil K. Rastogi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Shivani Shukla
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Elnatan Mataev
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Adam W. Feinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - K. Jimmy Hsia
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Tzahi Cohen-Karni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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30
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Pollard KJ, Sharma AD, Moore MJ. Neural microphysiological systems for in vitro modeling of peripheral nervous system disorders. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.2217/bem-2019-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PNS disease pathology is diverse and underappreciated. Peripheral neuropathy may result in sensory, motor or autonomic nerve dysfunction and can be induced by metabolic dysfunction, inflammatory dysfunction, cytotoxic pharmaceuticals, rare hereditary disorders or may be idiopathic. Current preclinical PNS disease research relies heavily on the use of rodent models. In vivo methods are effective but too time-consuming and expensive for high-throughput experimentation. Conventional in vitro methods can be performed with high throughput but lack the biological complexity necessary to directly model in vivo nerve structure and function. In this review, we survey in vitro PNS model systems and propose that 3D-bioengineered microphysiological nerve tissue can improve in vitro–in vivo extrapolation and expand the capabilities of in vitro PNS disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J Pollard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | | | - Michael J Moore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
- AxoSim, Inc., New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
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31
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Modo M, Badylak SF. A roadmap for promoting endogenous in situ tissue restoration using inductive bioscaffolds after acute brain injury. Brain Res Bull 2019; 150:136-149. [PMID: 31128250 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The regeneration of brain tissue remains one of the greatest unsolved challenges in medicine and by many is considered unfeasible. Indeed, the adult mammalian brain does not regenerate tissue, but there is ongoing endogenous neurogenesis, which is upregulated after injury and contributes to tissue repair. This endogenous repair response is a conditio sine que non for tissue regeneration. However, scarring around the lesion core and cavitation provide unfavorable conditions for tissue regeneration in the brain. Based on the success of using extracellular matrix (ECM)-based bioscaffolds in peripheral soft tissue regeneration, it is plausible that the provision of an inductive ECM-based hydrogel inside the volumetric tissue loss can attract neural cells and create a de novo viable tissue. Following perturbation theory of these successes in peripheral tissues, we here propose 9 perturbation parts (i.e. requirements) that can be solved independently to create an integrated series to build a functional and integrated de novo neural tissue. Necessities for tissue formation, anatomical and functional connectivity are further discussed to provide a new substrate to support the improvement of behavioral impairments after acute brain injury. We also consider potential parallel developments of this tissue engineering effort that can support therapeutic benefits in the absence of de novo tissue formation (e.g. structural support to veterate brain tissue). It is envisaged that eventually top-down inductive "natural" bioscaffolds composed of decellularized tissues (i.e. ECM) will be replaced by bottom-up synthetic designer hydrogels that will provide very defined structural and signaling properties, potentially even opening up opportunities we currently do not envisage using natural materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Modo
- University of Pittsburgh, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; University of Pittsburgh, Department of Bioengineering, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; University of Pittsburgh, Department of Radiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Stephen F Badylak
- University of Pittsburgh, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; University of Pittsburgh, Department of Bioengineering, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; University of Pittsburgh, Department of Surgery, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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32
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George DS, Anderson WA, Sommerhage F, Willenberg AR, Hines RB, Bosak AJ, Willenberg BJ, Lambert S. Bundling of axons through a capillary alginate gel enhances the detection of axonal action potentials using microelectrode arrays. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2019; 13:385-395. [PMID: 30636354 DOI: 10.1002/term.2793] [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] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) have become important tools in high throughput assessment of neuronal activity. However, geometric and electrical constraints largely limit their ability to detect action potentials to the neuronal soma. Enhancing the resolution of these systems to detect axonal action potentials has proved both challenging and complex. In this study, we have bundled sensory axons from dorsal root ganglia through a capillary alginate gel (Capgel™) interfaced with an MEA and observed an enhanced ability to detect spontaneous axonal activity compared with two-dimensional cultures. Moreover, this arrangement facilitated the long-term monitoring of spontaneous activity from the same bundle of axons at a single electrode. Finally, using waveform analysis for cultures treated with the nociceptor agonist capsaicin, we were able to dissect action potentials from multiple axons on an individual electrode, suggesting that this model can reproduce the functional complexity associated with sensory fascicles in vivo. This novel three-dimensional functional model of the peripheral nerve can be used to study the functional complexities of peripheral neuropathies and nerve regeneration as well as being utilized in the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale S George
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Wesley A Anderson
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Frank Sommerhage
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Alicia R Willenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Robert B Hines
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Alexander J Bosak
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Bradley J Willenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.,Saisijin Biotech LLC, St. Cloud, FL, USA
| | - Stephen Lambert
- Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
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33
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Khoshakhlagh P, Sivakumar A, Pace LA, Sazer DW, Moore MJ. Methods for fabrication and evaluation of a 3D microengineered model of myelinated peripheral nerve. J Neural Eng 2018; 15:064001. [PMID: 30211687 PMCID: PMC6239950 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/aae129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The cost and low success rates of the neurological drug development pipeline have diverted the pharmaceutical industry to 'nerve-on-a-chip' systems as preclinical models to streamline drug development. We present a novel micro-engineered 3D hydrogel platform for the culture of myelinated embryonic peripheral neural tissue to serve as an effective in vitro model for electrophysiological and histological analysis that could be adopted for preclinical testing. APPROACH Dorsal root ganglions (DRG) from 15 d old embryonic rats were cultured in 3D hydrogel platforms. The interaction between Schwann cells (SC) and neurons during axonal development and regeneration affects the direction of growth and the synthesis of myelin sheaths. Induction of myelination was performed with two approaches: the addition of exogenous SC and promoting migration of endogenous SC. MAIN RESULTS Histological analysis of the preparation utilizing exogenous SC showed aligned, highly fasciculated axonal growth with noticeable myelin sheaths around axons. Separately, electrophysiological testing of the preparation utilizing endogenous SC showed increased amplitude of the compound action potential and nerve conduction velocity in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA). SIGNIFICANCE This platform has immense potential to be a useful and translatable in vitro testing tool for drug discovery and myelination studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parastoo Khoshakhlagh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, 70118, LA, USA
| | - Ashwin Sivakumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, 70118, LA, USA
| | | | - Daniel W Sazer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, 70118, LA, USA
| | - Michael J Moore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, 70118, LA, USA
- AxoSim Technologies, New Orleans, 70112, LA, USA
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, 70118, LA, USA
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34
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Khoshakhlagh P, Bowser DA, Brown JQ, Moore MJ. Comparison of visible and UVA phototoxicity in neural culture systems micropatterned with digital projection photolithography. J Biomed Mater Res A 2018; 107:134-144. [PMID: 30358101 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.36540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Photopolymerization provides a favorable method for hydrogel formation due to its simplicity, convenience, and versatility. However, the light exposure required to initiate photopolymerization is known to have a cytotoxic effect on encapsulated cells. Here, a 3D in vitro model of the nervous system microenvironment, micropatterned through the use of digital projection photolithography using a single hydrogel formulation that cross-links similarly under ultraviolet A (UVA, 315-400 nm) and visible light (400-700 nm) exposure, is presented. This setup allowed for the investigation of neuronal responses to different light wavelengths and exposure times during photoencapsulation, while ruling out effects due to the hydrogel formulation or photoinitiators used. Cellular studies-including neurite viability, DNA fragmentation, and neurite outgrowth for both UVA and visible light irradiation, the most common spectra used in biological photomicropatterning applications-were performed to assess the effect of light source on neuronal cultures. These studies indicated that while cell death occurs after exposure to either spectrum, visible light was less phototoxic than UVA, when using comparable levels of irradiation, and interestingly, glial cells were more susceptible to phototoxicity than neuronal cells. Thus, while utilizing visible light for micropatterning and cell encapsulation for nervous system applications is beneficial, it is helpful to keep the light exposure low to ensure optimal neuronal survival and growth. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 134-144, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Devon A Bowser
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana.,Bioinnovation Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - J Quincy Brown
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Michael J Moore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana.,Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana.,AxoSim Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana
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Serruya MD, Harris JP, Adewole DO, Struzyna LA, Burrell JC, Nemes A, Petrov D, Kraft RH, Chen HI, Wolf JA, Cullen DK. Engineered Axonal Tracts as "Living Electrodes" for Synaptic-Based Modulation of Neural Circuitry. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2018; 28:1701183. [PMID: 34045935 PMCID: PMC8152180 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201701183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Brain-computer interface and neuromodulation strategies relying on penetrating non-organic electrodes/optrodes are limited by an inflammatory foreign body response that ultimately diminishes performance. A novel "biohybrid" strategy is advanced, whereby living neurons, biomaterials, and microelectrode/optical technology are used together to provide a biologically-based vehicle to probe and modulate nervous-system activity. Microtissue engineering techniques are employed to create axon-based "living electrodes", which are columnar microstructures comprised of neuronal population(s) projecting long axonal tracts within the lumen of a hydrogel designed to chaperone delivery into the brain. Upon microinjection, the axonal segment penetrates to prescribed depth for synaptic integration with local host neurons, with the perikaryal segment remaining externalized below conforming electrical-optical arrays. In this paradigm, only the biological component ultimately remains in the brain, potentially attenuating a chronic foreign-body response. Axon-based living electrodes are constructed using multiple neuronal subtypes, each with differential capacity to stimulate, inhibit, and/or modulate neural circuitry based on specificity uniquely afforded by synaptic integration, yet ultimately computer controlled by optical/electrical components on the brain surface. Current efforts are assessing the efficacy of this biohybrid interface for targeted, synaptic-based neuromodulation, and the specificity, spatial density and long-term fidelity versus conventional microelectronic or optical substrates alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mijail D Serruya
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - James P Harris
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dayo O Adewole
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Laura A Struzyna
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Justin C Burrell
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ashley Nemes
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dmitriy Petrov
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Reuben H Kraft
- Computational Biomechanics Group, Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801, USA
| | - H Isaac Chen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John A Wolf
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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36
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Katiyar KS, Winter CC, Gordián-Vélez WJ, O'Donnell JC, Song YJ, Hernandez NS, Struzyna LA, Cullen DK. Three-dimensional Tissue Engineered Aligned Astrocyte Networks to Recapitulate Developmental Mechanisms and Facilitate Nervous System Regeneration. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29364269 DOI: 10.3791/55848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotrauma and neurodegenerative disease often result in lasting neurological deficits due to the limited capacity of the central nervous system (CNS) to replace lost neurons and regenerate axonal pathways. However, during nervous system development, neuronal migration and axonal extension often occur along pathways formed by other cells, referred to as "living scaffolds". Seeking to emulate these mechanisms and to design a strategy that circumvents the inhibitory environment of the CNS, this manuscript presents a protocol to fabricate tissue engineered astrocyte-based "living scaffolds". To create these constructs, we employed a novel biomaterial encasement scheme to induce astrocytes to self-assemble into dense three-dimensional bundles of bipolar longitudinally-aligned somata and processes. First, hollow hydrogel micro-columns were assembled, and the inner lumen was coated with collagen extracellular-matrix. Dissociated cerebral cortical astrocytes were then delivered into the lumen of the cylindrical micro-column and, at a critical inner diameter of <350 µm, spontaneously self-aligned and contracted to produce long fiber-like cables consisting of dense bundles of astrocyte processes and collagen fibrils measuring <150 µm in diameter yet extending several cm in length. These engineered living scaffolds exhibited >97% cell viability and were virtually exclusively comprised of astrocytes expressing a combination of the intermediate filament proteins glial-fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin, and nestin. These aligned astrocyte networks were found to provide a permissive substrate for neuronal attachment and aligned neurite extension. Moreover, these constructs maintain integrity and alignment when extracted from the hydrogel encasement, making them suitable for CNS implantation. These preformed constructs structurally emulate key cytoarchitectural elements of naturally occurring glial-based "living scaffolds" in vivo. As such, these engineered living scaffolds may serve as test-beds to study neurodevelopmental mechanisms in vitro or facilitate neuroregeneration by directing neuronal migration and/or axonal pathfinding following CNS degeneration in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika S Katiyar
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center; School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University
| | - Carla C Winter
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Wisberty J Gordián-Vélez
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
| | - John C O'Donnell
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | - Yeri J Song
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Nicole S Hernandez
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Laura A Struzyna
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania;
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Bourke JL, Quigley AF, Duchi S, O'Connell CD, Crook JM, Wallace GG, Cook MJ, Kapsa RM. Three‐dimensional neural cultures produce networks that mimic native brain activity. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2017; 12:490-493. [DOI: 10.1002/term.2508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Justin L. Bourke
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science Australia
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne University of Melbourne Fitzroy VIC Australia
| | - Anita F. Quigley
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science Australia
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne University of Melbourne Fitzroy VIC Australia
- Intelligent Polymer Research Institute University of Wollongong NSW Australia
| | - Serena Duchi
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science Australia
- Intelligent Polymer Research Institute University of Wollongong NSW Australia
- Department of Surgery University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital Fitzroy VIC Australia
| | - Cathal D. O'Connell
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science Australia
- Intelligent Polymer Research Institute University of Wollongong NSW Australia
| | - Jeremy M. Crook
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science Australia
- Intelligent Polymer Research Institute University of Wollongong NSW Australia
| | - Gordon G. Wallace
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science Australia
- Intelligent Polymer Research Institute University of Wollongong NSW Australia
| | - Mark J. Cook
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science Australia
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne University of Melbourne Fitzroy VIC Australia
| | - Robert M.I. Kapsa
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science Australia
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne University of Melbourne Fitzroy VIC Australia
- Intelligent Polymer Research Institute University of Wollongong NSW Australia
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Zhuang P, Sun AX, An J, Chua CK, Chew SY. 3D neural tissue models: From spheroids to bioprinting. Biomaterials 2017; 154:113-133. [PMID: 29120815 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro neural tissue models provide a better recapitulation of in vivo cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions than conventional two-dimensional (2D) cultures. Therefore, the former is believed to have great potential for both mechanistic and translational studies. In this paper, we review the recent developments in 3D in vitro neural tissue models, with a particular focus on the emerging bioprinted tissue structures. We draw on specific examples to describe the merits and limitations of each model, in terms of different applications. Bioprinting offers a revolutionary approach for constructing repeatable and controllable 3D in vitro neural tissues with diverse cell types, complex microscale features and tissue level responses. Further advances in bioprinting research would likely consolidate existing models and generate complex neural tissue structures bearing higher fidelity, which is ultimately useful for probing disease-specific mechanisms, facilitating development of novel therapeutics and promoting neural regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Zhuang
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
| | - Alfred Xuyang Sun
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, 20 College Road, Singapore 169856, Singapore; Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore 138672, Singapore.
| | - Jia An
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
| | - Chee Kai Chua
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
| | - Sing Yian Chew
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637459, Singapore; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore.
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Haring AP, Sontheimer H, Johnson BN. Microphysiological Human Brain and Neural Systems-on-a-Chip: Potential Alternatives to Small Animal Models and Emerging Platforms for Drug Discovery and Personalized Medicine. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2017; 13:381-406. [PMID: 28488234 PMCID: PMC5534264 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-017-9738-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Translational challenges associated with reductionist modeling approaches, as well as ethical concerns and economic implications of small animal testing, drive the need for developing microphysiological neural systems for modeling human neurological diseases, disorders, and injuries. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of microphysiological brain and neural systems-on-a-chip (NSCs) for modeling higher order trajectories in the human nervous system. Societal, economic, and national security impacts of neurological diseases, disorders, and injuries are highlighted to identify critical NSC application spaces. Hierarchical design and manufacturing of NSCs are discussed with distinction for surface- and bulk-based systems. Three broad NSC classes are identified and reviewed: microfluidic NSCs, compartmentalized NSCs, and hydrogel NSCs. Emerging areas and future directions are highlighted, including the application of 3D printing to design and manufacturing of next-generation NSCs, the use of stem cells for constructing patient-specific NSCs, and the application of human NSCs to 'personalized neurology'. Technical hurdles and remaining challenges are discussed. This review identifies the state-of-the-art design methodologies, manufacturing approaches, and performance capabilities of NSCs. This work suggests NSCs appear poised to revolutionize the modeling of human neurological diseases, disorders, and injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander P Haring
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Harald Sontheimer
- Glial Biology in Health, Disease, and Cancer Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Blake N Johnson
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
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Struzyna LA, Adewole DO, Gordián-Vélez WJ, Grovola MR, Burrell JC, Katiyar KS, Petrov D, Harris JP, Cullen DK. Anatomically Inspired Three-dimensional Micro-tissue Engineered Neural Networks for Nervous System Reconstruction, Modulation, and Modeling. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28605376 DOI: 10.3791/55609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional recovery rarely occurs following injury or disease-induced degeneration within the central nervous system (CNS) due to the inhibitory environment and the limited capacity for neurogenesis. We are developing a strategy to simultaneously address neuronal and axonal pathway loss within the damaged CNS. This manuscript presents the fabrication protocol for micro-tissue engineered neural networks (micro-TENNs), implantable constructs consisting of neurons and aligned axonal tracts spanning the extracellular matrix (ECM) lumen of a preformed hydrogel cylinder hundreds of microns in diameter that may extend centimeters in length. Neuronal aggregates are delimited to the extremes of the three-dimensional encasement and are spanned by axonal projections. Micro-TENNs are uniquely poised as a strategy for CNS reconstruction, emulating aspects of brain connectome cytoarchitecture and potentially providing means for network replacement. The neuronal aggregates may synapse with host tissue to form new functional relays to restore and/or modulate missing or damaged circuitry. These constructs may also act as pro-regenerative "living scaffolds" capable of exploiting developmental mechanisms for cell migration and axonal pathfinding, providing synergistic structural and soluble cues based on the state of regeneration. Micro-TENNs are fabricated by pouring liquid hydrogel into a cylindrical mold containing a longitudinally centered needle. Once the hydrogel has gelled, the needle is removed, leaving a hollow micro-column. An ECM solution is added to the lumen to provide an environment suitable for neuronal adhesion and axonal outgrowth. Dissociated neurons are mechanically aggregated for precise seeding within one or both ends of the micro-column. This methodology reliably produces self-contained miniature constructs with long-projecting axonal tracts that may recapitulate features of brain neuroanatomy. Synaptic immunolabeling and genetically encoded calcium indicators suggest that micro-TENNs possess extensive synaptic distribution and intrinsic electrical activity. Consequently, micro-TENNs represent a promising strategy for targeted neurosurgical reconstruction of brain pathways and may also be applied as biofidelic models to study neurobiological phenomena in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Struzyna
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | - Dayo O Adewole
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | - Wisberty J Gordián-Vélez
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | - Michael R Grovola
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | - Justin C Burrell
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | - Kritika S Katiyar
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center; School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University
| | - Dmitriy Petrov
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | - James P Harris
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center;
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Marom A, Shor E, Levenberg S, Shoham S. Spontaneous Activity Characteristics of 3D "Optonets". Front Neurosci 2017; 10:602. [PMID: 28119555 PMCID: PMC5220075 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporadic spontaneous network activity emerges during early central nervous system (CNS) development and, as the number of neuronal connections rises, the maturing network displays diverse and complex activity, including various types of synchronized patterns. These activity patterns have major implications on both basic research and the study of neurological disorders, and their interplay with network morphology tightly correlates with developmental events such as neuronal differentiation, migration and establishment of neurotransmitter phenotypes. Although 2D neural cultures models have provided important insights into network activity patterns, these cultures fail to mimic the complex 3D architecture of natural CNS neural networks and its consequences on connectivity and activity. A 3D in-vitro model mimicking early network development while enabling cellular-resolution observations, could thus significantly advance our understanding of the activity characteristics in the developing CNS. Here, we longitudinally studied the spontaneous activity patterns of developing 3D in-vitro neural network “optonets,” an optically-accessible bioengineered CNS model with multiple cortex-like characteristics. Optonet activity was observed using the genetically encodable calcium indicator GCaMP6m and a 3D imaging solution based on a standard epi-fluorescence microscope equipped with a piezo-electric z-stage and image processing-based deconvolution. Our results show that activity patterns become more complex as the network matures, gradually exhibiting longer-duration events. This report characterizes the patterns over time, and discusses how environmental changes affect the activity patterns. The relatively high degree of similarity between the network's spontaneously generated activity patterns and the reported characteristics of in-vivo activity, suggests that this is a compelling model system for brain-in-a chip research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anat Marom
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Haifa, Israel
| | - Erez Shor
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Haifa, Israel
| | - Shulamit Levenberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Haifa, Israel
| | - Shy Shoham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Haifa, Israel
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Choi YK, Urnukhsaikhan E, Yoon HH, Seo YK, Cho H, Jeong JS, Kim SC, Park JK. Combined effect of pulsed electromagnetic field and sound wave on In vitro and In vivo neural differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. Biotechnol Prog 2016; 33:201-211. [PMID: 27790871 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.2389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Biophysical wave stimulus has been used as an effective tool to promote cellular maturation and differentiation in the construction of engineered tissue. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) and sound waves have been selected as effective stimuli that can promote neural differentiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect of PEMFs and sound waves on the neural differentiation potential in vitro and in vivo using human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs). In vitro, neural-related genes in hBM-MSCs were accelerated by the combined exposure to both waves more than by individual exposure to PEMFs or sound waves. The combined wave also up-regulated the expression of neural and synaptic-related proteins in a three-dimensional (3-D) culture system through the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase. In a mouse model of photochemically induced ischemia, exposure to the combined wave reduced the infarction volume and improved post-injury behavioral activity. These results indicate that a combined stimulus of biophysical waves, PEMFs and sound can enhance and possibly affect the differentiation of MSCs into neural cells. Our study is meaningful for highlighting the potential of combined wave for neurogenic effects and providing new therapeutic approaches for neural cell therapy. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:201-211, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Kyong Choi
- Dept. of Medical Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Hee-Hoon Yoon
- Dongguk University Research Inst. of Biotechnology, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Kwon Seo
- Dept. of Medical Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyunjin Cho
- Dongguk University Research Inst. of Biotechnology, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong-Seob Jeong
- Dept. of Medical Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soo-Chan Kim
- Graduate School of Bio and Information Technology, Hankyong National University, Anseong-si, Kyonggi-do, Korea
| | - Jung-Keug Park
- Dept. of Medical Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea
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Vega L JCM, Lee MK, Qin EC, Rich M, Lee KY, Kim DH, Chung HJ, Leckband DE, Kong H. Three Dimensional Conjugation of Recombinant N-Cadherin to a Hydrogel for In Vitro Anisotropic Neural Growth. J Mater Chem B 2016; 4:6803-6811. [PMID: 28503305 DOI: 10.1039/c6tb01814a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Living cells are extensively being studied to build functional tissues that are useful for both fundamental and applied bioscience studies. Increasing evidence suggests that cell-cell adhesion controlled by intercellular cadherin junction plays important roles in the quality of the resulting engineered tissue. These findings prompted efforts to interrogate biological effects of cadherin at a molecular scale; however, few efforts were made to harness the effects of cadherin on cells cultured in an in vivo-like three dimensional matrix. To this end, this study reports a hydrogel matrix three dimensionally functionalized with a controlled number of Fc-tagged recombinant N-cadherins (N-Cad-Fc). To retain the desired conformation of N-Cad, these cadherins were immobilized and oriented to the gel by anti-Fc-antibodies chemically coupled to gels. The gels were processed to present N-Cad-Fc in uniaxially aligned microchannels or randomly oriented micropores. Culturing cortical cells in the functionalized gels generated a large fraction of neurons that are functional as indicated by increased intracellular calcium ion concentrations with the microchanneled gel. In contrast, direct N-Cad-Fc immobilization to microchannel or micropore walls of the gel limited the growth of neurons and increased the glial to neuron ratio. The results of this study will be highly useful to organize a wide array of cadherin molecules in a series of biomaterials used for three-dimensional cell culture and to regulate phenotypic activities of tissue-forming cells in an elaborate manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johana C M Vega L
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Min Kyung Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Ellen C Qin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Max Rich
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Kwan Young Lee
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Dong Hyun Kim
- Department of Human and Culture Convergence Technology R&BD Group, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Ansan-si Gyeonggi-do, 426-910 South Korea
| | - Hee Jung Chung
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Deborah E Leckband
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Hyunjoon Kong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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Takahashi H, Itoga K, Shimizu T, Yamato M, Okano T. Human Neural Tissue Construct Fabrication Based on Scaffold-Free Tissue Engineering. Adv Healthc Mater 2016; 5:1931-8. [PMID: 27331769 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201600197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Current neural tissue engineering strategies involve the development and application of neural tissue constructs produced by using an anisotropic polymeric scaffold. This study reports a scaffold-free method of tissue engineering to create a tubular neural tissue construct containing unidirectional neuron bundles. The surface patterning of a thermoresponsive culture substrate and a coculture system of neurons with patterned astrocytes can provide an anisotropic structure and easy handling of the neural tissue construct without the use of a scaffold. Furthermore, using a gelatin gel-coated plunger, the neuron bundles can be laid out in the same direction at regulated intervals within multilayered astrocyte sheets. Since the 3D tissue construct is composed only by neurons and astrocytes, they can communicate physiologically without obstruction of a scaffold. The medical benefits of scaffold-free tissue generation provide new opportunities for the development of human cell-based tissue models required to better understand the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, this new tissue engineering approach may be useful to establish a technology for regenerative medicine and drug discovery using the patient's own neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironobu Takahashi
- Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science; Tokyo Women's Medical University; 8-1 Kawada-cho Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 162-8666 Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Itoga
- Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science; Tokyo Women's Medical University; 8-1 Kawada-cho Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 162-8666 Japan
| | - Tatsuya Shimizu
- Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science; Tokyo Women's Medical University; 8-1 Kawada-cho Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 162-8666 Japan
| | - Masayuki Yamato
- Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science; Tokyo Women's Medical University; 8-1 Kawada-cho Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 162-8666 Japan
| | - Teruo Okano
- Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science; Tokyo Women's Medical University; 8-1 Kawada-cho Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 162-8666 Japan
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47
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Ulloa Severino FP, Ban J, Song Q, Tang M, Bianconi G, Cheng G, Torre V. The role of dimensionality in neuronal network dynamics. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29640. [PMID: 27404281 PMCID: PMC4939604 DOI: 10.1038/srep29640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent results from network theory show that complexity affects several dynamical properties of networks that favor synchronization. Here we show that synchronization in 2D and 3D neuronal networks is significantly different. Using dissociated hippocampal neurons we compared properties of cultures grown on a flat 2D substrates with those formed on 3D graphene foam scaffolds. Both 2D and 3D cultures had comparable glia to neuron ratio and the percentage of GABAergic inhibitory neurons. 3D cultures because of their dimension have many connections among distant neurons leading to small-world networks and their characteristic dynamics. After one week, calcium imaging revealed moderately synchronous activity in 2D networks, but the degree of synchrony of 3D networks was higher and had two regimes: a highly synchronized (HS) and a moderately synchronized (MS) regime. The HS regime was never observed in 2D networks. During the MS regime, neuronal assemblies in synchrony changed with time as observed in mammalian brains. After two weeks, the degree of synchrony in 3D networks decreased, as observed in vivo. These results show that dimensionality determines properties of neuronal networks and that several features of brain dynamics are a consequence of its 3D topology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jelena Ban
- Neurobiology Sector, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea, 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Qin Song
- Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 398 Ruoshui Road, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Mingliang Tang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Sipailou 2, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Ginestra Bianconi
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Guosheng Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 398 Ruoshui Road, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Vincent Torre
- Neurobiology Sector, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), via Bonomea, 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
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Xu Q, Chen F, Wang Y, Li X, He J. Development of a miniaturized bioreactor for neural culture and axon stretch growth. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2016; 2014:1416-9. [PMID: 25570233 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2014.6943865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, a miniaturized bioreactor for accelerating nerve growth is developed to investigate potentially bi-directional peripheral neural interface based on tissue engineering. The bioreactor consisting of two parallel chambers that are extended to conduct controlled trials for optimized neuronal culture. The chamber is used to improve the micro-environment of in vitro nerve regeneration in a CO2 incubator, whereas the process of axon stretch growth is performed by a computer controlled micro-motion system comprised of a linear motion table and a micro-stepper motor. This apparatus produces axon stretch growth by taking l μm step every 1 minute over 1000 iterations for 1mm elongation growth per day. Results show that axons from neonatal DRG explants are grown with unidirectional polarity with a robust regeneration over 5 days in the culture chamber, whereas micro-displacement measurement indicates a satisfactory accuracy and repeatability for the implementation of computer-controlled ASG.
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Winter CC, Katiyar KS, Hernandez NS, Song YJ, Struzyna LA, Harris JP, Cullen DK. Transplantable living scaffolds comprised of micro-tissue engineered aligned astrocyte networks to facilitate central nervous system regeneration. Acta Biomater 2016; 38:44-58. [PMID: 27090594 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Neurotrauma, stroke, and neurodegenerative disease may result in widespread loss of neural cells as well as the complex interconnectivity necessary for proper central nervous system function, generally resulting in permanent functional deficits. Potential regenerative strategies involve the recruitment of endogenous neural stem cells and/or directed axonal regeneration through the use of tissue engineered "living scaffolds" built to mimic features of three-dimensional (3-D) in vivo migratory or guidance pathways. Accordingly, we devised a novel biomaterial encasement scheme using tubular hydrogel-collagen micro-columns that facilitated the self-assembly of seeded astrocytes into 3-D living scaffolds consisting of long, cable-like aligned astrocytic networks. Here, robust astrocyte alignment was achieved within a micro-column inner diameter (ID) of 180μm or 300-350μm but not 1.0mm, suggesting that radius of curvature dictated the extent of alignment. Moreover, within small ID micro-columns, >70% of the astrocytes assumed a bi-polar morphology, versus ∼10% in larger micro-columns or planar surfaces. Cell-cell interactions also influenced the aligned architecture, as extensive astrocyte-collagen contraction was achieved at high (9-12×10(5)cells/mL) but not lower (2-6×10(5)cells/mL) seeding densities. This high density micro-column seeding led to the formation of ultra-dense 3-D "bundles" of aligned bi-polar astrocytes within collagen measuring up to 150μm in diameter yet extending to a remarkable length of over 2.5cm. Importantly, co-seeded neurons extended neurites directly along the aligned astrocytic bundles, demonstrating permissive cues for neurite extension. These transplantable cable-like astrocytic networks structurally mimic the glial tube that guides neuronal progenitor migration in vivo along the rostral migratory stream, and therefore may be useful to guide progenitor cells to repopulate sites of widespread neurodegeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE This manuscript details our development of novel micro-tissue engineering techniques to generate robust networks of longitudinally aligned astrocytes within transplantable micro-column hydrogels. We report a novel biomaterial encasement scheme that facilitated the self-assembly of seeded astrocytes into long, aligned regenerative pathways. These miniature "living scaffold" constructs physically emulate the glial tube - a pathway in the brain consisting of aligned astrocytes that guide the migration of neuronal progenitor cells - and therefore may facilitate directed neuronal migration for central nervous system repair. The small size and self-contained design of these aligned astrocyte constructs will permit minimally invasive transplantation in models of central nervous system injury in future studies.
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Katiyar KS, Winter CC, Struzyna LA, Harris JP, Cullen DK. Mechanical elongation of astrocyte processes to create living scaffolds for nervous system regeneration. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2016; 11:2737-2751. [PMID: 27273796 DOI: 10.1002/term.2168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Following brain injury or neurodegenerative disease, successful regeneration requires orchestrated migration of neurons and reformation of long-distance communication fibres, or axons. Such extensive regeneration does not occur in the mature brain; however, during embryonic development, pathways formed by glial cells extend several millimeters (mm) to create 'living scaffolds' for targeted neural cell migration and axonal pathfinding. Techniques to recapitulate long process outgrowth in glial cells have proven elusive, preventing the exploitation of this developmental mechanism for regeneration. In the current study, astrocytes were induced to form a network of interconnected processes that were subjected to controlled mechanical tension in vitro using custom-built mechanobioreactors. We discovered a specific micron (μm)-scale mechanical growth regime that induced elongation of the astrocytic processes to a remarkable length of 2.5 mm at an optimal rate of 12.5 μm/h. More rapid mechanical regimes (> 20 μm/h) caused greater incidence of process degeneration or outright breakage, whereas slow regimes (< 4 μm/h) led to adaptive motility, thus failing to achieve process elongation. Cellular phenotype for this astrocytic 'stretch-growth' was confirmed based on presentation of the intermediate filament glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Mechanical elongation resulted in the formation of dense bundles of aligned astrocytic processes. Importantly, seeded neurons readily adhered to, and extended neurites directly along, the elongated astrocytic processes, demonstrating permissiveness to support neuronal growth. This is the first demonstration of the controlled application of mechanical forces to create long astrocytic processes, which may form the backbone of tissue-engineered 'living scaffolds' that structurally emulate radial glia to facilitate neuroregeneration. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika S Katiyar
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Carla C Winter
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Laura A Struzyna
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - James P Harris
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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