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Winter-Hjelm N, Sikorski P, Sandvig A, Sandvig I. Engineered cortical microcircuits for investigations of neuroplasticity. LAB ON A CHIP 2024. [PMID: 39264326 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00546e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in neural engineering have opened new ways to investigate the impact of topology on neural network function. Leveraging microfluidic technologies, it is possible to establish modular circuit motifs that promote both segregation and integration of information processing in the engineered neural networks, similar to those observed in vivo. However, the impact of the underlying topologies on network dynamics and response to pathological perturbation remains largely unresolved. In this work, we demonstrate the utilization of microfluidic platforms with 12 interconnected nodes to structure modular, cortical engineered neural networks. By implementing geometrical constraints inspired by a Tesla valve within the connecting microtunnels, we additionally exert control over the direction of axonal outgrowth between the nodes. Interfacing these platforms with nanoporous microelectrode arrays reveals that the resulting laminar cortical networks exhibit pronounced segregated and integrated functional dynamics across layers, mirroring key elements of the feedforward, hierarchical information processing observed in the neocortex. The multi-nodal configuration also facilitates selective perturbation of individual nodes within the networks. To illustrate this, we induced hypoxia, a key factor in the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders, in well-connected nodes within the networks. Our findings demonstrate that such perturbations induce ablation of information flow across the hypoxic node, while enabling the study of plasticity and information processing adaptations in neighboring nodes and neural communication pathways. In summary, our presented model system recapitulates fundamental attributes of the microcircuit organization of neocortical neural networks, rendering it highly pertinent for preclinical neuroscience research. This model system holds promise for yielding new insights into the development, topological organization, and neuroplasticity mechanisms of the neocortex across the micro- and mesoscale level, in both healthy and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolai Winter-Hjelm
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway.
| | - Pawel Sikorski
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Axel Sandvig
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway.
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ioanna Sandvig
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway.
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Amos G, Ihle SJ, Clément BF, Duru J, Girardin S, Maurer B, Delipinar T, Vörös J, Ruff T. Engineering an in vitro retinothalamic nerve model. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1396966. [PMID: 38835836 PMCID: PMC11148348 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1396966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the retinogeniculate pathway in vitro can offer insights into its development and potential for future therapeutic applications. This study presents a Polydimethylsiloxane-based two-chamber system with axon guidance channels, designed to replicate unidirectional retinogeniculate signal transmission in vitro. Using embryonic rat retinas, we developed a model where retinal spheroids innervate thalamic targets through up to 6 mm long microfluidic channels. Using a combination of electrical stimulation and functional calcium imaging we assessed how channel length and electrical stimulation frequency affects thalamic target response. In the presented model we integrated up to 20 identical functional retinothalamic neural networks aligned on a single transparent microelectrode array, enhancing the robustness and quality of recorded functional data. We found that network integrity depends on channel length, with 0.5-2 mm channels maintaining over 90% morphological and 50% functional integrity. A reduced network integrity was recorded in longer channels. The results indicate a notable reduction in forward spike propagation in channels longer than 4 mm. Additionally, spike conduction fidelity decreased with increasing channel length. Yet, stimulation-induced thalamic target activity remained unaffected by channel length. Finally, the study found that a sustained thalamic calcium response could be elicited with stimulation frequencies up to 31 Hz, with higher frequencies leading to transient responses. In conclusion, this study presents a high-throughput platform that demonstrates how channel length affects retina to brain network formation and signal transmission in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Amos
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephan J Ihle
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Blandine F Clément
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jens Duru
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Girardin
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Benedikt Maurer
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tuğçe Delipinar
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - János Vörös
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Ruff
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Wang M, Lassers SB, Vakilna YS, Mander BA, Tang WC, Brewer GJ. Spindle oscillations in communicating axons within a reconstituted hippocampal formation are strongest in CA3 without thalamus. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8384. [PMID: 38600114 PMCID: PMC11006914 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Spindle-shaped waves of oscillations emerge in EEG scalp recordings during human and rodent non-REM sleep. The association of these 10-16 Hz oscillations with events during prior wakefulness suggests a role in memory consolidation. Human and rodent depth electrodes in the brain record strong spindles throughout the cortex and hippocampus, with possible origins in the thalamus. However, the source and targets of the spindle oscillations from the hippocampus are unclear. Here, we employed an in vitro reconstruction of four subregions of the hippocampal formation with separate microfluidic tunnels for single axon communication between subregions assembled on top of a microelectrode array. We recorded spontaneous 400-1000 ms long spindle waves at 10-16 Hz in single axons passing between subregions as well as from individual neurons in those subregions. Spindles were nested within slow waves. The highest amplitudes and most frequent occurrence suggest origins in CA3 neurons that send feed-forward axons into CA1 and feedback axons into DG. Spindles had 50-70% slower conduction velocities than spikes and were not phase-locked to spikes suggesting that spindle mechanisms are independent of action potentials. Therefore, consolidation of declarative-cognitive memories in the hippocampus may be separate from the more easily accessible consolidation of memories related to thalamic motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengke Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Samuel B Lassers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Yash S Vakilna
- Texas Institute of Restorative Neurotechnologies (TIRN), The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth), Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Bryce A Mander
- Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory and MIND Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92868, USA
| | - William C Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Gregory J Brewer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory and MIND Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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Goodman EJ, Biltz RG, Packer JM, DiSabato DJ, Swanson SP, Oliver B, Quan N, Sheridan JF, Godbout JP. Enhanced fear memory after social defeat in mice is dependent on interleukin-1 receptor signaling in glutamatergic neurons. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02456-1. [PMID: 38459193 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02456-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Chronic stress is associated with increased anxiety, cognitive deficits, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Repeated social defeat (RSD) in mice causes long-term stress-sensitization associated with increased microglia activation, monocyte accumulation, and enhanced interleukin (IL)-1 signaling in endothelia and neurons. With stress-sensitization, mice have amplified neuronal, immune, and behavioral responses to acute stress 24 days later. This is clinically relevant as it shares key aspects with post-traumatic stress disorder. The mechanisms underlying stress-sensitization are unclear, but enhanced fear memory may be critical. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of microglia and IL-1R1 signaling in neurons in the development of sensitization and increased fear memory after RSD. Here, RSD accelerated fear acquisition, delayed fear extinction, and increased cued-based freezing at 0.5 day. The enhancement in contextual fear memory after RSD persisted 24 days later. Next, microglia were depleted with a CSF1R antagonist prior to RSD and several parameters were assessed. Microglia depletion blocked monocyte recruitment to the brain. Nonetheless, neuronal reactivity (pCREB) and IL-1β RNA expression in the hippocampus and enhanced fear memory after RSD were microglial-independent. Because IL-1β RNA was prominent in the hippocampus after RSD even with microglia depletion, IL-1R1 mediated signaling in glutamatergic neurons was assessed using neuronal Vglut2+/IL-1R1-/- mice. RSD-induced neuronal reactivity (pCREB) in the hippocampus and enhancement in fear memory were dependent on neuronal IL-1R1 signaling. Furthermore, single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) showed that RSD influenced transcription in specific hippocampal neurons (DG neurons, CA2/3, CA1 neurons) associated with glutamate signaling, inflammation and synaptic plasticity, which were neuronal IL-1R1-dependent. Furthermore, snRNAseq data provided evidence that RSD increased CREB, BDNF, and calcium signaling in DG neurons in an IL-1R1-dependent manner. Collectively, increased IL-1R1-mediated signaling (monocytes/microglia independent) in glutamatergic neurons after RSD enhanced neuronal reactivity and fear memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan J Goodman
- Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Rebecca G Biltz
- Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jonathan M Packer
- Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Damon J DiSabato
- Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Samuel P Swanson
- Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Braeden Oliver
- Division of Biosciences, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ning Quan
- Department of Biomedical Science, Brain Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - John F Sheridan
- Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Division of Biosciences, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Jonathan P Godbout
- Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Lassers SB, Vakilna YS, Tang WC, Brewer GJ. The flow of axonal information among hippocampal sub-regions 2: patterned stimulation sharpens routing of information transmission. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1272925. [PMID: 38144878 PMCID: PMC10739322 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1272925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The sub-regions of the hippocampal formation are essential for episodic learning and memory formation, yet the spike dynamics of each region contributing to this function are poorly understood, in part because of a lack of access to the inter-regional communicating axons. Here, we reconstructed hippocampal networks confined to four subcompartments in 2D cultures on a multi-electrode array that monitors individual communicating axons. In our novel device, somal, and axonal activity was measured simultaneously with the ability to ascertain the direction and speed of information transmission. Each sub-region and inter-regional axons had unique power-law spiking dynamics, indicating differences in computational functions, with abundant axonal feedback. After stimulation, spiking, and burst rates decreased in all sub-regions, spikes per burst generally decreased, intraburst spike rates increased, and burst duration decreased, which were specific for each sub-region. These changes in spiking dynamics post-stimulation were found to occupy a narrow range, consistent with the maintenance of the network at a critical state. Functional connections between the sub-region neurons and communicating axons in our device revealed homeostatic network routing strategies post-stimulation in which spontaneous feedback activity was selectively decreased and balanced by decreased feed-forward activity. Post-stimulation, the number of functional connections per array decreased, but the reliability of those connections increased. The networks maintained a balance in spiking and bursting dynamics in response to stimulation and sharpened network routing. These plastic characteristics of the network revealed the dynamic architecture of hippocampal computations in response to stimulation by selective routing on a spatiotemporal scale in single axons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Brandon Lassers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Yash S. Vakilna
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Texas Institute of Restorative Neurotechnologies (TIRN), The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth), Houston, TX, United States
| | - William C. Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Gregory J. Brewer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (MIND) Institute, Center for Neuroscience of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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6
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Chen R, Vakilna YS, Lassers SB, Tang WC, Brewer G. Hippocampal network axons respond to patterned theta burst stimulation with lower activity of initially higher spike train similarity from EC to DG and later similarity of axons from CA1 to EC. J Neural Eng 2023; 20:056004. [PMID: 37666242 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/acf68a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Objective. Decoding memory functions for each hippocampal subregion involves extensive understanding of how each hippocampal subnetwork processes input stimuli. Theta burst stimulation (TBS) recapitulates natural brain stimuli which potentiates synapses in hippocampal circuits. TBS is typically applied to a bundle of axons to measure the immediate response in a downstream subregion like the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1). Yet little is known about network processing in response to stimulation, especially because individual axonal transmission between subregions is not accessible.Approach. To address these limitations, we reverse engineered the hippocampal network on a micro-electrode array partitioned by a MEMS four-chambered device with interconnecting microfluidic tunnels. The micro tunnels allowed monitoring single axon transmission which is inaccessible in slices orin vivo. The four chambers were plated separately with entorhinal cortex (EC), dentate gyrus (DG), CA1, and CA3 neurons. The patterned TBS was delivered to the EC hippocampal gateway. Evoked spike pattern similarity in each subregions was quantified with Jaccard distance metrics of spike timing.Main results. We found that the network subregion produced unique axonal responses to different stimulation patterns. Single site and multisite stimulations caused distinct information routing of axonal spikes in the network. The most spatially similar output at axons from CA3 to CA1 reflected the auto association within CA3 recurrent networks. Moreover, the spike pattern similarities shifted from high levels for axons to and from DG at 0.2 s repeat stimuli to greater similarity in axons to and from CA1 for repetitions at 10 s intervals. This time-dependent response suggested that CA3 encoded temporal information and axons transmitted the information to CA1.Significance. Our design and interrogation approach provide first insights into differences in information transmission between the four subregions of the structured hippocampal network and the dynamic pattern variations in response to stimulation at the subregional level to achieve probabilistic pattern separation and novelty detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyi Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
| | - Yash Shashank Vakilna
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
- Texas Institute of Restorative Neurotechnologies (TIRN), The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth), Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Samuel Brandon Lassers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
| | - William C Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106319, Taiwan (ROC)
| | - Gregory Brewer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
- Center for Neuroscience of Learning and Memory & MIND Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
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Song Z, Mao H, Liu J, Sun W, Wu S, Lu X, Jin C, Yang J. Lanthanum Chloride Induces Axon Abnormality Through LKB1-MARK2 and LKB1-STK25-GM130 Signaling Pathways. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:1181-1196. [PMID: 35661286 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01237-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Lanthanum (La) is a natural rare-earth element that can damage the central nervous system and impair learning and memory. However, its neurotoxic mechanism remains unclear. In this study, adult female rats were divided into 4 groups and given distilled water solution containing 0%, 0.125%, 0.25%, and 0.5% LaCl3, respectively, and this was done from conception to the end of the location. Their offspring rats were used to establish animal models to investigate LaCl3 neurotoxicity. Primary neurons cultured in vitro were treated with LaCl3 and infected with LKB1 overexpression lentivirus. The results showed that LaCl3 exposure resulted in abnormal axons in the hippocampus and primary cultured neurons. LaCl3 reduced the expression of LKB1, p-LKB1, STRAD and MO25 proteins, and directly or indirectly affected the expression of LKB1, leading to decreased activity of LKB1-MARK2 and LKB1-STK25-GM130 pathways. This study indicated that LaCl3 exposure could interfere with the normal effects of LKB1 in the brain and downregulate LKB1-MARK2 and LKB1-STK25-GM130 signaling pathways, resulting in abnormal axon in offspring rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeli Song
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoyue Mao
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinxuan Liu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenchang Sun
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengwen Wu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobo Lu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuihong Jin
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinghua Yang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China.
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Xu S, Liu Y, Yang Y, Zhang K, Liang W, Xu Z, Wu Y, Luo J, Zhuang C, Cai X. Recent Progress and Perspectives on Neural Chip Platforms Integrating PDMS-Based Microfluidic Devices and Microelectrode Arrays. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:709. [PMID: 37420942 DOI: 10.3390/mi14040709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed a spurt of progress in the application of the encoding and decoding of neural activities to drug screening, diseases diagnosis, and brain-computer interactions. To overcome the constraints of the complexity of the brain and the ethical considerations of in vivo research, neural chip platforms integrating microfluidic devices and microelectrode arrays have been raised, which can not only customize growth paths for neurons in vitro but also monitor and modulate the specialized neural networks grown on chips. Therefore, this article reviews the developmental history of chip platforms integrating microfluidic devices and microelectrode arrays. First, we review the design and application of advanced microelectrode arrays and microfluidic devices. After, we introduce the fabrication process of neural chip platforms. Finally, we highlight the recent progress on this type of chip platform as a research tool in the field of brain science and neuroscience, focusing on neuropharmacology, neurological diseases, and simplified brain models. This is a detailed and comprehensive review of neural chip platforms. This work aims to fulfill the following three goals: (1) summarize the latest design patterns and fabrication schemes of such platforms, providing a reference for the development of other new platforms; (2) generalize several important applications of chip platforms in the field of neurology, which will attract the attention of scientists in the field; and (3) propose the developmental direction of neural chip platforms integrating microfluidic devices and microelectrode arrays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yaoyao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhaojie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yirong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinping Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chengyu Zhuang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Rujing Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xinxia Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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9
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Lowet E, Kondabolu K, Zhou S, Mount RA, Wang Y, Ravasio CR, Han X. Deep brain stimulation creates informational lesion through membrane depolarization in mouse hippocampus. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7709. [PMID: 36513664 PMCID: PMC9748039 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35314-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising neuromodulation therapy, but the neurophysiological mechanisms of DBS remain unclear. In awake mice, we performed high-speed membrane voltage fluorescence imaging of individual hippocampal CA1 neurons during DBS delivered at 40 Hz or 140 Hz, free of electrical interference. DBS powerfully depolarized somatic membrane potentials without suppressing spike rate, especially at 140 Hz. Further, DBS paced membrane voltage and spike timing at the stimulation frequency and reduced timed spiking output in response to hippocampal network theta-rhythmic (3-12 Hz) activity patterns. To determine whether DBS directly impacts cellular processing of inputs, we optogenetically evoked theta-rhythmic membrane depolarization at the soma. We found that DBS-evoked membrane depolarization was correlated with DBS-mediated suppression of neuronal responses to optogenetic inputs. These results demonstrate that DBS produces powerful membrane depolarization that interferes with the ability of individual neurons to respond to inputs, creating an informational lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Lowet
- Boston University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Krishnakanth Kondabolu
- grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Boston University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Samuel Zhou
- grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Boston University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Rebecca A. Mount
- grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Boston University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Yangyang Wang
- grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Boston University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Cara R. Ravasio
- grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Boston University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Xue Han
- Boston University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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10
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Lehtonen S, Waselius T, Penttonen M, Nokia MS. Hippocampal responses to electrical stimulation of the major input pathways are modulated by dentate spikes. Hippocampus 2022; 32:808-817. [PMID: 36111841 PMCID: PMC9825843 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Dentate gyrus (DG) is important for pattern separation and spatial memory, and it is thought to gate information flow to the downstream hippocampal subregions. Dentate spikes (DSs) are high-amplitude, fast, positive local-field potential events taking place in the DG during immobility and sleep, and they have been connected to memory consolidation in rodents. DSs are a result of signaling from the entorhinal cortex (EC) to the DG, and they suppress firing of pyramidal cells in the CA3 and CA1. To study the effects of DSs to signaling in the hippocampal tri-synaptic loop, we electrically stimulated the afferent fibers of the DG, CA3, and CA1 in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats at different delays from DSs. Responses to stimulation were increased in the EC-DG synapse during DSs, and the effect was amplified after theta-burst stimulation. We concluded that DSs strengthen the excitatory signal from the EC to the DG, which is reinforced by synapse potentiation and increased excitability of granule cells after theta-burst stimulation. This signal boosting may function in enhancing plastic changes in the DG-CA3 synapse. As responses in the CA3 and CA1 remained unaffected by the DS, the DS-contingent silencing of pyramidal cells seems to be a result of a decrease in excitatory input rather than a decrease in the excitability of the pyramidal cells themselves. In addition, we found that the DSs occur asynchronously in the left and right hippocampi, giving novel evidence of lateralization of the rodent hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tomi Waselius
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of JyvaskylaJyvaskylaFinland
| | | | - Miriam S. Nokia
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of JyvaskylaJyvaskylaFinland
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Szriber SJ, Novaes LS, Santos NBD, Munhoz CD, Leite-Dellova DCA. Imbalance in the ratio between mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors and neurodegeneration in the dentate gyrus of aged dogs. Vet World 2022; 15:2543-2550. [PMID: 36590120 PMCID: PMC9798053 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.2543-2550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Cortisol binds to mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) found in the hippocampus. The balanced expression of these receptors is essential to neuronal survival as MR and GR activations have antiapoptotic and proapoptotic effects, respectively. Given the aging changes in dogs' dentate gyrus (DG) and the possible involvement of cortisol receptors in this process, this study aimed to evaluate the expression of MR and GR and neuronal degeneration in this hippocampal region of aged dogs. Materials and Methods This study included cadaveric histologic hippocampus sections from six dogs aged 10 years and older (AG group) and 12 young/adult dogs aged up to 8 years (YAd group). Nissl staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to identify cells and investigate MR and GR expression, respectively. Furthermore, fluorescent labeling (fluoro-Jade B) was used to detect degenerating neurons. Results The AG group's polymorphic layer of the DG had a lower cell count (16%) and more degenerating neurons than the YAd group. In addition to these cellular changes, the AG group had lower MR immunoreactivity and MR-to-GR ratio. Furthermore, the lowest MR expression was associated with neuronal degeneration in the polymorphic layer of the DG of dogs. Conclusion An imbalance in the MR-to-GR ratio was observed in the polymorphic layer of the DG of aged dogs, along with lower MR expression and a greater number of degenerating neurons. These findings have clinical implications for understanding the decline in hippocampal memory formation associated with cognitive changes in aged dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Jaqueline Szriber
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Duque de Caxias Norte Avenue, 225, 13635-900, Pirassununga, Brazil,Corresponding author: Shirley Jaqueline Szriber, e-mail: Co-authors: LSN: , NBDS: , CDM: , DCAL:
| | - Leonardo Santana Novaes
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Sao Paulo, Professor Lineu Prestes Avenue, 1524, Room 323, 05508-000, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nilton Barreto Dos Santos
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Sao Paulo, Professor Lineu Prestes Avenue, 1524, Room 323, 05508-000, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolina Demarchi Munhoz
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Sao Paulo, Professor Lineu Prestes Avenue, 1524, Room 323, 05508-000, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Deise Carla Almeida Leite-Dellova
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Duque de Caxias Norte Avenue, 225, 13635-900, Pirassununga, Brazil
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12
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Miny L, Maisonneuve BGC, Quadrio I, Honegger T. Modeling Neurodegenerative Diseases Using In Vitro Compartmentalized Microfluidic Devices. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:919646. [PMID: 35813998 PMCID: PMC9263267 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.919646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is a complex organ composed of many different types of cells interconnected to create an organized system able to efficiently process information. Dysregulation of this delicately balanced system can lead to the development of neurological disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). To investigate the functionality of human brain physiology and pathophysiology, the scientific community has been generated various research models, from genetically modified animals to two- and three-dimensional cell culture for several decades. These models have, however, certain limitations that impede the precise study of pathophysiological features of neurodegeneration, thus hindering therapeutical research and drug development. Compartmentalized microfluidic devices provide in vitro minimalistic environments to accurately reproduce neural circuits allowing the characterization of the human central nervous system. Brain-on-chip (BoC) is allowing our capability to improve neurodegeneration models on the molecular and cellular mechanism aspects behind the progression of these troubles. This review aims to summarize and discuss the latest advancements of microfluidic models for the investigations of common neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Miny
- NETRI, Lyon, France
- BIORAN Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Lyon 1 University, Bron, France
| | | | - Isabelle Quadrio
- BIORAN Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Lyon 1 University, Bron, France
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lyon University Hospital, Bron, France
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