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Chouhan D, Gordián Vélez WJ, Struzyna LA, Adewole DO, Cullen ER, Burrell JC, O’Donnell JC, Cullen DK. Generation of contractile forces by three-dimensional bundled axonal tracts in micro-tissue engineered neural networks. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1346696. [PMID: 38590432 PMCID: PMC10999686 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1346696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Axonal extension and retraction are ongoing processes that occur throughout all developmental stages of an organism. The ability of axons to produce mechanical forces internally and respond to externally generated forces is crucial for nervous system development, maintenance, and plasticity. Such axonal mechanobiological phenomena have typically been evaluated in vitro at a single-cell level, but these mechanisms have not been studied when axons are present in a bundled three-dimensional (3D) form like in native tissue. In an attempt to emulate native cortico-cortical interactions under in vitro conditions, we present our approach to utilize previously described micro-tissue engineered neural networks (micro-TENNs). Here, micro-TENNs were comprised of discrete populations of rat cortical neurons that were spanned by 3D bundled axonal tracts and physically integrated with each other. We found that these bundled axonal tracts inherently exhibited an ability to generate contractile forces as the microtissue matured. We therefore utilized this micro-TENN testbed to characterize the intrinsic contractile forces generated by the integrated axonal tracts in the absence of any external force. We found that contractile forces generated by bundled axons were dependent on microtubule stability. Moreover, these intra-axonal contractile forces could simultaneously generate tensile forces to induce so-called axonal "stretch-growth" in different axonal tracts within the same microtissue. The culmination of axonal contraction generally occurred with the fusion of both the neuronal somatic regions along the axonal tracts, therefore perhaps showing the innate tendency of cortical neurons to minimize their wiring distance, a phenomenon also perceived during brain morphogenesis. In future applications, this testbed may be used to investigate mechanisms of neuroanatomical development and those underlying certain neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimple Chouhan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Wisberty J. Gordián Vélez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Laura A. Struzyna
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Dayo O. Adewole
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Erin R. Cullen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Justin C. Burrell
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - John C. O’Donnell
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - D. Kacy Cullen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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O’Donnell JC, Petrov D. Porcine Models of Neurotrauma and Neurological Disorders. Biomedicines 2024; 12:245. [PMID: 38275416 PMCID: PMC10813658 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The translation of therapeutics from lab to clinic has a dismal record in the fields of neurotrauma and neurological disorders [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- John C. O’Donnell
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 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
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Acero VP, Cribas ES, Browne KD, Rivellini O, Burrell JC, O’Donnell JC, Das S, Cullen DK. Bedside to bench: the outlook for psychedelic research. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1240295. [PMID: 37869749 PMCID: PMC10588653 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1240295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
There has recently been a resurgence of interest in psychedelic compounds based on studies demonstrating their potential therapeutic applications in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse disorders, and treatment-resistant depression. Despite promising efficacy observed in some clinical trials, the full range of biological effects and mechanism(s) of action of these compounds have yet to be fully established. Indeed, most studies to date have focused on assessing the psychological mechanisms of psychedelics, often neglecting the non-psychological modes of action. However, it is important to understand that psychedelics may mediate their therapeutic effects through multi-faceted mechanisms, such as the modulation of brain network activity, neuronal plasticity, neuroendocrine function, glial cell regulation, epigenetic processes, and the gut-brain axis. This review provides a framework supporting the implementation of a multi-faceted approach, incorporating in silico, in vitro and in vivo modeling, to aid in the comprehensive understanding of the physiological effects of psychedelics and their potential for clinical application beyond the treatment of psychiatric disorders. We also provide an overview of the literature supporting the potential utility of psychedelics for the treatment of brain injury (e.g., stroke and traumatic brain injury), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases), and gut-brain axis dysfunction associated with psychiatric disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder). To move the field forward, we outline advantageous experimental frameworks to explore these and other novel applications for psychedelics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor P. Acero
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Psychedelics Collaborative, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Emily S. Cribas
- Penn Psychedelics Collaborative, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kevin D. Browne
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Olivia Rivellini
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Psychedelics Collaborative, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Justin C. Burrell
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - John C. O’Donnell
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Psychedelics Collaborative, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Suradip Das
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - D. Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Purvis EM, Fedorczak N, Prah A, Han D, O’Donnell JC. Porcine Astrocytes and Their Relevance for Translational Neurotrauma Research. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2388. [PMID: 37760829 PMCID: PMC10525191 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are essential to virtually all brain processes, from ion homeostasis to neurovascular coupling to metabolism, and even play an active role in signaling and plasticity. Astrocytic dysfunction can be devastating to neighboring neurons made inherently vulnerable by their polarized, excitable membranes. Therefore, correcting astrocyte dysfunction is an attractive therapeutic target to enhance neuroprotection and recovery following acquired brain injury. However, the translation of such therapeutic strategies is hindered by a knowledge base dependent almost entirely on rodent data. To facilitate additional astrocytic research in the translatable pig model, we present a review of astrocyte findings from pig studies of health and disease. We hope that this review can serve as a road map for intrepid pig researchers interested in studying astrocyte biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M. Purvis
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA (D.H.)
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Natalia Fedorczak
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA (D.H.)
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Annette Prah
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA (D.H.)
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel Han
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA (D.H.)
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John C. O’Donnell
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA (D.H.)
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Wathen CA, Ghenbot YG, Ozturk AK, Cullen DK, O’Donnell JC, Petrov D. Porcine Models of Spinal Cord Injury. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2202. [PMID: 37626699 PMCID: PMC10452184 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Large animal models of spinal cord injury may be useful tools in facilitating the development of translational therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI). Porcine models of SCI are of particular interest due to significant anatomic and physiologic similarities to humans. The similar size and functional organization of the porcine spinal cord, for instance, may facilitate more accurate evaluation of axonal regeneration across long distances that more closely resemble the realities of clinical SCI. Furthermore, the porcine cardiovascular system closely resembles that of humans, including at the level of the spinal cord vascular supply. These anatomic and physiologic similarities to humans not only enable more representative SCI models with the ability to accurately evaluate the translational potential of novel therapies, especially biologics, they also facilitate the collection of physiologic data to assess response to therapy in a setting similar to those used in the clinical management of SCI. This review summarizes the current landscape of porcine spinal cord injury research, including the available models, outcome measures, and the strengths, limitations, and alternatives to porcine models. As the number of investigational SCI therapies grow, porcine SCI models provide an attractive platform for the evaluation of promising treatments prior to clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor A. Wathen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.A.W.); (Y.G.G.); (A.K.O.); (D.K.C.); (J.C.O.)
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yohannes G. Ghenbot
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.A.W.); (Y.G.G.); (A.K.O.); (D.K.C.); (J.C.O.)
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ali K. Ozturk
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.A.W.); (Y.G.G.); (A.K.O.); (D.K.C.); (J.C.O.)
| | - D. Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.A.W.); (Y.G.G.); (A.K.O.); (D.K.C.); (J.C.O.)
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John C. O’Donnell
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (C.A.W.); (Y.G.G.); (A.K.O.); (D.K.C.); (J.C.O.)
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA 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; (C.A.W.); (Y.G.G.); (A.K.O.); (D.K.C.); (J.C.O.)
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Wofford KL, Grovola MR, Adewole DO, Browne KD, Putt ME, O’Donnell JC, Cullen DK. Relationships between injury kinematics, neurological recovery, and pathology following concussion. Brain Commun 2021; 3:fcab268. [PMID: 34934944 PMCID: PMC8684470 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury affects millions of individuals annually primarily through falls, traffic collisions, or blunt trauma and can generate symptoms that persist for years. Closed-head rotational loading is the most common cause of mild traumatic brain injury and is defined by a rapid rotational acceleration of brain tissue within an intact skull. Injury kinematics-the mechanical descriptors of injury-inducing motion-explain movement of the head, which govern energy transfer, and, therefore, determine injury severity. However, the relationship between closed-head rotational injury kinematics-such as angular velocity, angular acceleration, and injury duration-and outcome after mild traumatic brain injury is not completely understood. To address this gap in knowledge, we analysed archived surgical records of 24 swine experiencing a diffuse closed-head rotational acceleration mild traumatic brain injury against 12 sham animals. Kinematics were contrasted against acute recovery outcomes, specifically apnea time, extubation time, standing time, and recovery duration. Compared to controls, animals experiencing a mild traumatic brain injury were far more likely to have apnea (P < 0.001), shorter time to extubation (P = 0.023), and longer time from extubation to standing (P = 0.006). Using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-based regressions, kinematic parameters, including maximum negative angular velocity and time from peak angular velocity to maximum angular deceleration, were selected to explain variation in apnea time, standing time, and recovery duration. Simplified linear models employing the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-selected variables explained a modest degree of variation in apnea time (adjusted R 2 = 0.18), standing time (adjusted R 2 = 0.19), and recovery duration (adjusted R 2 = 0.27). Neuropathology was correlated with multiple injury kinematics, with maximum angular acceleration exhibiting the strongest correlation (R 2 = 0.66). Together, these data suggest the interplay between multiple injury kinematics, including maximum negative angular velocity (immediately preceding cessation of head motion) and time from peak angular velocity to maximum angular deceleration, best explain acute recovery metrics and neuropathology after mild traumatic brain injury in swine. Future experiments that independently manipulate individual kinematic parameters could be instrumental in developing translational diagnostics for clinical mild traumatic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn L Wofford
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michael R Grovola
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dayo O Adewole
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kevin D Browne
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mary E Putt
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John C O’Donnell
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Panzer KV, Burrell JC, Helm KVT, Purvis EM, Zhang Q, Le AD, O’Donnell JC, Cullen DK. Tissue Engineered Bands of Büngner for Accelerated Motor and Sensory Axonal Outgrowth. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:580654. [PMID: 33330416 PMCID: PMC7714719 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.580654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Following peripheral nerve injury comprising a segmental defect, the extent of axon regeneration decreases precipitously with increasing gap length. Schwann cells play a key role in driving axon re-growth by forming aligned tubular guidance structures called bands of Büngner, which readily occurs in distal nerve segments as well as within autografts - currently the most reliable clinically-available bridging strategy. However, host Schwann cells generally fail to infiltrate large-gap acellular scaffolds, resulting in markedly inferior outcomes and motivating the development of next-generation bridging strategies capable of fully exploiting the inherent pro-regenerative capability of Schwann cells. We sought to create preformed, implantable Schwann cell-laden microtissue that emulates the anisotropic structure and function of naturally-occurring bands of Büngner. Accordingly, we developed a biofabrication scheme leveraging biomaterial-induced self-assembly of dissociated rat primary Schwann cells into dense, fiber-like three-dimensional bundles of Schwann cells and extracellular matrix within hydrogel micro-columns. This engineered microtissue was found to be biomimetic of morphological and phenotypic features of endogenous bands of Büngner, and also demonstrated 8 and 2× faster rates of axonal extension in vitro from primary rat spinal motor neurons and dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons, respectively, compared to 3D matrix-only controls or planar Schwann cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report of accelerated motor axon outgrowth using aligned Schwann cell constructs. For translational considerations, this microtissue was also fabricated using human gingiva-derived Schwann cells as an easily accessible autologous cell source. These results demonstrate the first tissue engineered bands of Büngner (TE-BoBs) comprised of dense three-dimensional bundles of longitudinally aligned Schwann cells that are readily scalable as implantable grafts to accelerate axon regeneration across long segmental nerve defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate V. Panzer
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Justin C. Burrell
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kaila V. T. Helm
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Erin M. Purvis
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Qunzhou Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Penn Medicine Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Anh D. Le
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Penn Medicine Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - John C. O’Donnell
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - D. Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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O’Donnell JC, McDonough JH, Shih TM. In vivo microdialysis and electroencephalographic activity in freely moving guinea pigs exposed to organophosphorus nerve agents sarin and VX: analysis of acetylcholine and glutamate. Arch Toxicol 2011; 85:1607-16. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-011-0724-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2011] [Accepted: 06/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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O’Donnell JC, Acon-Chen C, McDonough JH, Shih TM. Comparison of extracellular striatal acetylcholine and brain seizure activity following acute exposure to the nerve agents cyclosarin and tabun in freely moving guinea pigs. Toxicol Mech Methods 2010; 20:600-8. [DOI: 10.3109/15376516.2010.521208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Skovira JW, O’Donnell JC, Koplovitz I, Kan RK, McDonough JH, Shih TM. Reactivation of brain acetylcholinesterase by monoisonitrosoacetone increases the therapeutic efficacy against nerve agents in guinea pigs. Chem Biol Interact 2010; 187:318-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2010.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2009] [Revised: 02/15/2010] [Accepted: 03/05/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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O’Donnell JC, McDonough JH, Shih TM. Changes in extracellular striatal acetylcholine and brain seizure activity following acute exposure to nerve agents in freely moving guinea pigs. Toxicol Mech Methods 2010; 20:143-52. [DOI: 10.3109/15376511003657439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Shih TM, Skovira JW, O’Donnell JC, McDonough JH. Treatment with Tertiary Oximes Prevents Seizures and Improves Survival Following Sarin Intoxication. J Mol Neurosci 2009; 40:63-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-009-9259-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2009] [Accepted: 07/20/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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