Мы разработали новый несколькими отделениями нейрона со-культуры микросистемы платформу для экстракорпорального ЦНС Аксон-глии взаимодействия исследования. Платформа способна проводить до шести независимых экспериментов параллельно и изготовлены с использованием недавно разработанных макро / микро гибридный метод изготовления.
Abstract
We present a novel multi-compartment neuron co-culture microsystem platform for in vitro CNS axon-glia interaction research, capable of conducting up to six independent experiments in parallel for higher-throughput. We developed a new fabrication method to create microfluidic devices having both micro and macro scale structures within the same device through a single soft-lithography process, enabling mass fabrication with good repeatability.
The multi-compartment microfluidic co-culture platform is composed of one soma compartment for neurons and six axon/glia compartments for oligodendrocytes (OLs). The soma compartment and axon/glia compartments are connected by arrays of axon-guiding microchannels that function as physical barriers to confine neuronal soma in the soma compartment, while allowing axons to grow into axon/glia compartments. OLs loaded into axon/glia compartments can interact only with axons but not with neuronal soma or dendrites, enabling localized axon-glia interaction studies. The microchannels also enabled fluidic isolation between compartments, allowing six independent experiments to be conducted on a single device for higher throughput.
Soft-lithography using poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is a commonly used technique in biomedical microdevices. Reservoirs on these devices are commonly defined by manual punching. Although simple, poor alignment and time consuming nature of the process makes this process not suitable when large numbers of reservoirs have to be repeatedly created. The newly developed method did not require manual punching of reservoirs, overcoming such limitations. First, seven reservoirs (depth: 3.5 mm) were made on a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) block using a micro-milling machine. Then, arrays of ridge microstructures, fabricated on a glass substrate, were hot-embossed against the PMMA block to define microchannels that connect the soma and axon/glia compartments. This process resulted in macro-scale reservoirs (3.5 mm) and micro-scale channels (2.5 μm) to coincide within a single PMMA master. A PDMS replica that served as a mold master was obtained using soft-lithography and the final PDMS device was replicated from this master.
Primary neurons from E16-18 rats were loaded to the soma compartment and cultured for two weeks. After one week of cell culture, axons crossed microchannels and formed axonal only network layer inside axon/glia compartments. Axons grew uniformly throughout six axon/glia compartments and OLs from P1-2 rats were added to axon/glia compartments at 14 days in vitro for co-culture.
Protocol
Часть 1: Подготовка мастер формы с несколькими отделениями нейрона со-культура изготовления устройства Первый шаг для изготовления ПММА мастера, чтобы сделать 3,5 мм в глубину отсеков. Одно отделение сомы и шесть аксон / глии отсеков определяются на блоке ПММА использованием микро…
Discussion
Мы разработали с несколькими отделениями совместно культуры платформу для изучения млекопитающих ЦНС Аксон-глии взаимодействия. ЦНС аксонов были успешно изолированы от нервных клеток органов / дендритов и олигодендроцитов были успешно со-культурный внутри устройства. Нейрон плотно?…
Divulgations
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Acknowledgements
Работа выполнена при поддержке Национального института здоровья / Национальный институт психического здоровья (NIH / NiMH) грант № 1R21MH085267.