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Lu Z, Gui L, Sun X, Wang K, Lan Y, Deng Y, Cao S, Xu K. Unveiling the impact of low-frequency electrical stimulation on network synchronization and learning behavior in cultured hippocampal neural networks. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 731:150363. [PMID: 39018969 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150363] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the dynamics of neural networks and their response to external stimuli is crucial for unraveling the mechanisms associated with learning processes. In this study, we hypothesized that electrical stimulation (ES) would lead to significant alterations in the activity patterns of hippocampal neuronal networks and investigated the effects of low-frequency ES on hippocampal neuronal populations using the microelectrode arrays (MEAs). Our findings revealed significant alterations in the activity of hippocampal neuronal networks following low-frequency ES trainings. Post-stimulation, the neural activity exhibited an organized burst firing pattern characterized by increased spike and burst firings, increased synchronization, and enhanced learning behaviors. Analysis of peri-stimulus time histograms (PSTHs) further revealed that low-frequency ES (1Hz) significantly enhanced neural plasticity, thereby facilitating the learning process of cultured neurons, whereas high-frequency ES (>10Hz) impeded this process. Moreover, we observed a substantial increase in correlations and connectivity within neuronal networks following ES trainings. These alterations in network properties indicated enhanced synaptic plasticity and emphasized the positive impact of low-frequency ES on hippocampal neural activities, contributing to the brain's capacity for learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeying Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, PR China
| | - Lili Gui
- State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Xiaojuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, PR China; School of Science, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, PR China
| | - Ke Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yueheng Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, PR China; School of Science, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, PR China
| | - Yin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, PR China
| | - Shiyang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, PR China
| | - Kun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, PR China
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Alshawaf AJ, Alnassar SA, Al-Mohanna FA. The interplay of intracellular calcium and zinc ions in response to electric field stimulation in primary rat cortical neurons in vitro. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1118335. [PMID: 37180947 PMCID: PMC10174245 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1118335] [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: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent pharmacological studies demonstrate a role for zinc (Zn2+) in shaping intracellular calcium (Ca2+) dynamics and vice versa in excitable cells including neurons and cardiomyocytes. Herein, we sought to examine the dynamic of intracellular release of Ca2+ and Zn2+ upon modifying excitability of primary rat cortical neurons using electric field stimulation (EFS) in vitro. We show that exposure to EFS with an intensity of 7.69 V/cm induces transient membrane hyperpolarization together with transient elevations in the cytosolic levels of Ca2+ and Zn2+ ions. The EFS-induced hyperpolarization was inhibited by prior treatment of cells with the K+ channel opener diazoxide. Chemical hyperpolarization had no apparent effect on either Ca2+ or Zn2+. The source of EFS-induced rise in Ca2+ and Zn2+ seemed to be intracellular, and that the dynamic inferred of an interplay between Ca2+ and Zn2+ ions, whereby the removal of extracellular Ca2+ augmented the release of intracellular Ca2+ and Zn2+ and caused a stronger and more sustained hyperpolarization. We demonstrate that Zn2+ is released from intracellular vesicles located in the soma, with major co-localizations in the lysosomes and endoplasmic reticulum. These studies further support the use of EFS as a tool to interrogate the kinetics of intracellular ions in response to changing membrane potential in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah J. Alshawaf
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Cell Biology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah A. Alnassar
- Department of Cell Biology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Futwan A. Al-Mohanna
- Department of Cell Biology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- *Correspondence: Futwan A. Al-Mohanna,
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Liu R, Lee J, Tchoe Y, Pre D, Bourhis AM, D'Antonio-Chronowska A, Robin G, Lee SH, Ro YG, Vatsyayan R, Tonsfeldt KJ, Hossain LA, Phipps ML, Yoo J, Nogan J, Martinez JS, Frazer KA, Bang AG, Dayeh SA. Ultra-Sharp Nanowire Arrays Natively Permeate, Record, and Stimulate Intracellular Activity in Neuronal and Cardiac Networks. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2022; 32:2108378. [PMID: 35603230 PMCID: PMC9122115 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202108378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We report innovative scalable, vertical, ultra-sharp nanowire arrays that are individually addressable to enable long-term, native recordings of intracellular potentials. Stable amplitudes of intracellular potentials from 3D tissue-like networks of neurons and cardiomyocytes are obtained. Individual electrical addressability is necessary for high-fidelity intracellular electrophysiological recordings. This study paves the way toward predictive, high-throughput, and low-cost electrophysiological drug screening platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren Liu
- Integrated Electronics and Biointerfaces Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jihwan Lee
- Integrated Electronics and Biointerfaces Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Youngbin Tchoe
- Integrated Electronics and Biointerfaces Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Deborah Pre
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Andrew M Bourhis
- Integrated Electronics and Biointerfaces Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Gaelle Robin
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sang Heon Lee
- Integrated Electronics and Biointerfaces Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yun Goo Ro
- Integrated Electronics and Biointerfaces Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ritwik Vatsyayan
- Integrated Electronics and Biointerfaces Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Karen J Tonsfeldt
- Integrated Electronics and Biointerfaces Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Lorraine A Hossain
- Integrated Electronics and Biointerfaces Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - M Lisa Phipps
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Jinkyoung Yoo
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - John Nogan
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185, USA
| | - Jennifer S Martinez
- Center for Materials Interfaces in Research and Applications and Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science, Northern Arizona University, 624 S. Knoles Dr. Flagstaff, AZ 86011
| | - Kelly A Frazer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Anne G Bang
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Shadi A Dayeh
- Integrated Electronics and Biointerfaces Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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Functional maturation of human neural stem cells in a 3D bioengineered brain model enriched with fetal brain-derived matrix. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17874. [PMID: 31784595 PMCID: PMC6884597 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54248-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain extracellular matrix (ECM) is often overlooked in vitro brain tissue models, despite its instructive roles during development. Using developmental stage-sourced brain ECM in reproducible 3D bioengineered culture systems, we demonstrate enhanced functional differentiation of human induced neural stem cells (hiNSCs) into healthy neurons and astrocytes. Particularly, fetal brain tissue-derived ECM supported long-term maintenance of differentiated neurons, demonstrated by morphology, gene expression and secretome profiling. Astrocytes were evident within the second month of differentiation, and reactive astrogliosis was inhibited in brain ECM-enriched cultures when compared to unsupplemented cultures. Functional maturation of the differentiated hiNSCs within fetal ECM-enriched cultures was confirmed by calcium signaling and spectral/cluster analysis. Additionally, the study identified native biochemical cues in decellularized ECM with notable comparisons between fetal and adult brain-derived ECMs. The development of novel brain-specific biomaterials for generating mature in vitro brain models provides an important path forward for interrogation of neuron-glia interactions.
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Sandvig A, Sandvig I. Connectomics of Morphogenetically Engineered Neurons as a Predictor of Functional Integration in the Ischemic Brain. Front Neurol 2019; 10:630. [PMID: 31249553 PMCID: PMC6582372 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in cell reprogramming technologies enable the in vitro generation of theoretically unlimited numbers of cells, including cells of neural lineage and specific neuronal subtypes from human, including patient-specific, somatic cells. Similarly, as demonstrated in recent animal studies, by applying morphogenetic neuroengineering principles in situ, it is possible to reprogram resident brain cells to the desired phenotype. These developments open new exciting possibilities for cell replacement therapy in stroke, albeit not without caveats. Main challenges include the successful integration of engineered cells in the ischemic brain to promote functional restoration as well as the fact that the underlying mechanisms of action are not fully understood. In this review, we aim to provide new insights to the above in the context of connectomics of morphogenetically engineered neural networks. Specifically, we discuss the relevance of combining advanced interdisciplinary approaches to: validate the functionality of engineered neurons by studying their self-organizing behavior into neural networks as well as responses to stroke-related pathology in vitro; derive structural and functional connectomes from these networks in healthy and perturbed conditions; and identify and extract key elements regulating neural network dynamics, which might predict the behavior of grafted engineered neurons post-transplantation in the stroke-injured brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Sandvig
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Neurology, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neuro, Head, and Neck, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ioanna Sandvig
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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