RESUMEN

Social behavior is highly complex and adaptable. It can be divided into multiple temporal stages: detection, approach, and consummatory behavior. Each stage can be further divided into several cognitive and behavioral processes, such as perceiving social cues, evaluating the social and non-social contexts, and recognizing the internal/emotional state of others. Recent studies have identified numerous brain-wide circuits implicated in social behavior and suggested the existence of partially overlapping functional brain networks underlying various types of social and non-social behavior. However, understanding the brain-wide dynamics underlying social behavior remains challenging, and several brain-scale dynamics (macro-, meso-, and micro-scale levels) need to be integrated. Here, we suggest leveraging new tools and concepts to explore social brain networks and integrate those different levels. These include studying the expression of immediate-early genes throughout the entire brain to impartially define the structure of the neuronal networks involved in a given social behavior. Then, network dynamics could be investigated using electrode arrays or multi-channel fiber photometry. Finally, tools like high-density silicon probes and miniscopes can probe neural activity in specific areas and across neuronal populations at the single-cell level.

Asunto(s)

Encéfalo , Conducta Social , Humanos , Encéfalo/fisiología , Animales , Red Nerviosa/fisiología

RESUMEN

Developmental exposure to carbamates, organophosphates, and pyrethroids has been associated with impaired neurodevelopmental outcomes. Sex-specific differences following chronic insecticide exposure are rather common in vivo. Therefore, we assessed the chronic effects of in vitro exposure to different carbamates (carbaryl, methomyl and aldicarb), organophosphates [chlorpyrifos (CPF), chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPO), and 3,5,6,trichloropyridinol (TCP)], and pyrethroids [permethrin, alpha-cypermethrin and 3-phenoxy benzoic acid (3-PBA)] on neuronal network development in sex-separated rat primary cortical cultures using micro-electrode array (MEA) recordings. Our results indicate that exposure for 1 week to carbaryl inhibited neurodevelopment in male cultures, while a hyperexcitation was observed in female cultures. Methomyl and aldicarb evoked a hyperexcitation after 2 weeks of exposure, which was more pronounced in female cultures. In contrast to acute MEA results, exposure to ≥ 10 µM CPF caused hyperexcitation in both sexes after 10 days. Interestingly, exposure to 10 µM CPO induced a clear hyperexcitation after 10 days of exposure in male but not female cultures. Exposure to 100 µM CPO strongly inhibited neuronal development. Exposure to the type I pyrethroid permethrin resulted in a hyperexcitation at 10 µM and a decrease in neuronal development at 100 µM. In comparison, exposure to ≥ 10 µM of the type II pyrethroid alpha-cypermethrin decreased neuronal development. In female but not in male cultures, exposure to 1 and 10 µM permethrin changed (network) burst patterns, with female cultures having shorter (network) bursts with fewer spikes per (network) burst. Together, these results show that MEA recordings are suitable for measuring sex-specific developmental neurotoxicity in vitro. Additionally, pyrethroid exposure induced effects on neuronal network development at human-relevant concentrations. Finally, chronic exposure has different effects on neuronal functioning compared to acute exposure, highlighting the value of both exposure paradigms.

RESUMEN

We investigated the protective effect of walnut peptides and YVPFPLP (YP-7) on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice and ß-amyloid (Aß)-induced excitotoxic injury in primary hippocampal neurons, respectively. Additionally, the protective mechanism of YP-7 on neuronal excitotoxicity was explored. Mouse behavioral and hippocampal slice morphology experiments indicate that YP-7 improves the learning and memory abilities of cognitively impaired mice and protects synaptic integrity. Immunofluorescence, western blotting, and electrophysiological experiments on primary hippocampal neurons indicate that YP-7 inhibits neuronal damage caused by excessive excitation of neurons induced by Aß. HT-22 cell treatment with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) activators and inhibitors showed that YP-7 activates PPARγ expression and maintains normal neuronal function by forming stable complexes with PPARγ to inhibit the extracellular regulated protein kinase pathway. Therefore, YP-7 can ameliorate glutamate-induced excitotoxicity and maintain neuronal signaling. This provides a theoretical basis for active peptides to ameliorate excitotoxicity and the development of functional foods.

Asunto(s)

Hipocampo , Juglans , Trastornos de la Memoria , Neuronas , Péptidos , Animales , Humanos , Masculino , Ratones , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Hipocampo/efectos de los fármacos , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Juglans/química , Memoria/efectos de los fármacos , Trastornos de la Memoria/tratamiento farmacológico , Trastornos de la Memoria/inducido químicamente , Trastornos de la Memoria/metabolismo , Neuronas/efectos de los fármacos , Neuronas/metabolismo , Péptidos/química , Péptidos/farmacología , Proteínas de Plantas/química , Proteínas de Plantas/farmacología , PPAR gamma/metabolismo , PPAR gamma/genética , Escopolamina

RESUMEN

Exposure to pesticides, such as carbamates, organophosphates, organochlorines and pyrethroids, has been linked to various health problems, including neurotoxicity. Although most in vivo studies use only male rodents, some studies have shown in vivo sex-specific effects after acute exposure. Since in vivo studies are costly and require a large number of animals, in vitro assays that take sex-specific effects into account are urgently needed. We therefore assessed the acute effects of exposure to different carbamates (methomyl, aldicarb and carbaryl), organophosphates (chlorpyrifos (CPF), chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPO) and 3,5,6-trichloropyridinol), organochlorines (endosulfan, dieldrin and lindane) and pyrethroids (permethrin, alpha-cypermethrin and 3-phenoxy-benzoic acid (3-PBA)) on neuronal network function in sex-separated rat primary cortical cultures using micro-electrode array (MEA) recordings. Our results indicate that exposure to the carbamate carbaryl and the organophosphates CPF and CPO decreased neuronal activity, with CPO being the most potent. Notably, (network) burst patterns differed between CPF and CPO, with CPO inducing fewer, but more intense (network) bursts. Exposure to low micromolar levels of endosulfan induced a hyperexcitation, most likely due to the antagonistic effects on GABA receptors. Interestingly, females were more sensitive to endosulfan than males. Exposure to dieldrin and lindane also increased neuronal activity, albeit less than endosulfan and without sex-specific effects. Exposure to type I pyrethroid permethrin increased neuronal activity, while exposure to type II pyrethroid alpha-cypermethrin strongly decreased neuronal activity. The increase seen after permethrin exposure was more pronounced in males than in females. Together, these results show that acute exposure to different classes of pesticides exerts differential effects on neuronal activity. Moreover, it shows that MEA recordings are suited to detect sex-specific neurotoxic effects in vitro.

Asunto(s)

Corteza Cerebral , Insecticidas , Neuronas , Animales , Insecticidas/toxicidad , Neuronas/efectos de los fármacos , Femenino , Masculino , Corteza Cerebral/efectos de los fármacos , Ratas , Células Cultivadas , Potenciales de Acción/efectos de los fármacos , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Microelectrodos , Ratas Wistar

RESUMEN

Objective.The purpose of this study is to investigate whether and how the balance between excitation and inhibition ('E/I balance') influences the spontaneous development of human-derived neuronal networksin vitro. To achieve that goal, we performed a long-term (98 d) characterization of both homogeneous (only excitatory or inhibitory neurons) and heterogeneous (mixed neuronal types) cultures with controlled E/I ratios (i.e. E:I 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, 100:0) by recording their electrophysiological activity using micro-electrode arrays.Approach.Excitatory and inhibitory neurons were derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). We realized five different configurations by systematically varying the glutamatergic and GABAergic percentages.Main results.We successfully built both homogeneous and heterogeneous neuronal cultures from hiPSCs finely controlling the E/I ratios; we were able to maintain them for up to 3 months. Homogeneity differentially impacted purely inhibitory (no bursts) and purely excitatory (few bursts) networks, deviating from the typical traits of heterogeneous cultures (burst dominated). Increased inhibition in heterogeneous cultures strongly affected the duration and organization of bursting and network bursting activity. Spike-based functional connectivity and image-based deep learning analysis further confirmed all the above.Significance.Healthy neuronal activity is controlled by a well-defined E/I balance whose alteration could lead to the onset of neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia or epilepsy. Most of the commonly usedin vitromodels are animal-derived or too simplified and thus far from thein vivohuman condition. In this work, by performing a long-term study of hiPSCs-derived neuronal networks obtained from healthy human subjects, we demonstrated the feasibility of a robustin vitromodel which can be further exploited for investigating pathological conditions where the E/I balance is impaired.

Asunto(s)

Células Madre Pluripotentes Inducidas , Animales , Humanos , Cisteamina , Electrodos , Voluntarios Sanos , Neuronas

RESUMEN

Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neuronal networks on multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) provide a unique phenotyping tool to study neurological disorders. However, it is difficult to infer cellular mechanisms underlying these phenotypes. Computational modeling can utilize the rich dataset generated by MEAs, and advance understanding of disease mechanisms. However, existing models lack biophysical detail, or validation and calibration to relevant experimental data. We developed a biophysical in silico model that accurately simulates healthy neuronal networks on MEAs. To demonstrate the potential of our model, we studied neuronal networks derived from a Dravet syndrome (DS) patient with a missense mutation in SCN1A, encoding sodium channel NaV1.1. Our in silico model revealed that sodium channel dysfunctions were insufficient to replicate the in vitro DS phenotype, and predicted decreased slow afterhyperpolarization and synaptic strengths. We verified these changes in DS patient-derived neurons, demonstrating the utility of our in silico model to predict disease mechanisms.

Asunto(s)

Epilepsias Mioclónicas , Células Madre Pluripotentes Inducidas , Humanos , Canal de Sodio Activado por Voltaje NAV1.1/genética , Epilepsias Mioclónicas/genética , Neuronas/fisiología , Mutación Missense , Mutación

RESUMEN

RTN4-binding proteins were widely studied as "NoGo" receptors, but their physiological interactors and roles remain elusive. Similarly, BAI adhesion-GPCRs were associated with numerous activities, but their ligands and functions remain unclear. Using unbiased approaches, we observed an unexpected convergence: RTN4 receptors are high-affinity ligands for BAI adhesion-GPCRs. A single thrombospondin type 1-repeat (TSR) domain of BAIs binds to the leucine-rich repeat domain of all three RTN4-receptor isoforms with nanomolar affinity. In the 1.65 Å crystal structure of the BAI1/RTN4-receptor complex, C-mannosylation of tryptophan and O-fucosylation of threonine in the BAI TSR-domains creates a RTN4-receptor/BAI interface shaped by unusual glycoconjugates that enables high-affinity interactions. In human neurons, RTN4 receptors regulate dendritic arborization, axonal elongation, and synapse formation by differential binding to glial versus neuronal BAIs, thereby controlling neural network activity. Thus, BAI binding to RTN4/NoGo receptors represents a receptor-ligand axis that, enabled by rare post-translational modifications, controls development of synaptic circuits.

Asunto(s)

Inhibidores de la Angiogénesis/metabolismo , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Neurogénesis , Neuronas/metabolismo , Proteínas Nogo/metabolismo , Receptores Nogo/metabolismo , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/metabolismo , Adipoquinas/metabolismo , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Axones/metabolismo , Adhesión Celular , Moléculas de Adhesión Celular Neuronal/metabolismo , Complemento C1q/metabolismo , Dendritas/metabolismo , Glicosilación , Células HEK293 , Células Madre Embrionarias Humanas/metabolismo , Humanos , Ligandos , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Red Nerviosa/metabolismo , Polisacáridos/metabolismo , Unión Proteica , Dominios Proteicos , Eliminación de Secuencia , Sinapsis/metabolismo , Transmisión Sináptica/fisiología

RESUMEN

Micro-electrode arrays (MEAs) are increasingly used to characterize neuronal network activity of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons. Despite their gain in popularity, MEA recordings from hiPSC-derived neuronal networks are not always used to their full potential in respect to experimental design, execution, and data analysis. Therefore, we benchmarked the robustness of MEA-derived neuronal activity patterns from ten healthy individual control lines, and uncover comparable network phenotypes. To achieve standardization, we provide recommendations on experimental design and analysis. With such standardization, MEAs can be used as a reliable platform to distinguish (disease-specific) network phenotypes. In conclusion, we show that MEAs are a powerful and robust tool to uncover functional neuronal network phenotypes from hiPSC-derived neuronal networks, and provide an important resource to advance the hiPSC field toward the use of MEAs for disease phenotyping and drug discovery.

Asunto(s)

Técnicas de Cultivo de Célula , Electrodos , Estudios de Asociación Genética/métodos , Dispositivos Laboratorio en un Chip , Análisis por Micromatrices/métodos , Neuronas/citología , Neuronas/metabolismo , Potenciales de Acción , Animales , Diferenciación Celular , Células Cultivadas , Estudios de Asociación Genética/instrumentación , Humanos , Ratones , Análisis por Micromatrices/instrumentación , Red Nerviosa

RESUMEN

Inhibitory control is essential for the regulation of neuronal network activity, where excitatory and inhibitory synapses can act synergistically, reciprocally, and antagonistically. Sustained excitation-inhibition (E-I) balance, therefore, relies on the orchestrated adjustment of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic strength. While growing evidence indicates that the brain's extracellular matrix (ECM) is a crucial regulator of excitatory synapse plasticity, it remains unclear whether and how the ECM contributes to inhibitory control in neuronal networks. Here we studied the simultaneous changes in excitatory and inhibitory connectivity after ECM depletion. We demonstrate that the ECM supports the maintenance of E-I balance by retaining inhibitory connectivity. Quantification of synapses and super-resolution microscopy showed that depletion of the ECM in mature neuronal networks preferentially decreases the density of inhibitory synapses and the size of individual inhibitory postsynaptic scaffolds. The reduction of inhibitory synapse density is partially compensated by the homeostatically increasing synaptic strength via the reduction of presynaptic GABAB receptors, as indicated by patch-clamp measurements and GABAB receptor expression quantifications. However, both spiking and bursting activity in neuronal networks is increased after ECM depletion, as indicated by multi-electrode recordings. With computational modelling, we determined that ECM depletion reduces the inhibitory connectivity to an extent that the inhibitory synapse scaling does not fully compensate for the reduced inhibitory synapse density. Our results indicate that the brain's ECM preserves the balanced state of neuronal networks by supporting inhibitory control via inhibitory synapse stabilization, which expands the current understanding of brain activity regulation.

Asunto(s)

Potenciales Postsinápticos Excitadores , Matriz Extracelular/fisiología , Red Nerviosa/fisiología , Plasticidad Neuronal , Neuronas/fisiología , Sinapsis/fisiología , Transmisión Sináptica , Animales , Astrocitos/citología , Astrocitos/fisiología , Femenino , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Neuronas/citología , Receptores de GABA/metabolismo

RESUMEN

The recent advent of human pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived 3D brain organoids has opened a window into aspects of human brain development that were not accessible before, allowing tractable monitoring and assessment of early developmental processes. However, their broad and effective use for modeling later stages of human brain development and disease is hampered by the lack of a stereotypic anatomical organization, which limits maturation processes dependent upon formation of unique cellular interactions and short- and long-range network connectivity. Emerging methods and technologies aimed at tighter regulatory control through bioengineering approaches, along with newer unbiased organoid analysis readouts, should resolve several of the current limitations. Here, we review recent advances in brain organoid generation and characterization with a focus on highlighting future directions utilizing interdisciplinary strategies that will be important for improving the physiological relevance of this model system.

Asunto(s)

Encéfalo/citología , Proyección Neuronal , Organoides/citología , Cultivo Primario de Células/métodos , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Encéfalo/fisiología , Genómica/métodos , Humanos , Células-Madre Neurales/citología , Células-Madre Neurales/metabolismo , Células-Madre Neurales/fisiología , Organoides/metabolismo , Organoides/fisiología

RESUMEN

Neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) typically show regular spiking and synaptic activity but lack more complex network activity critical for brain development, such as periodic depolarizations including simultaneous involvement of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission. We generated human iPSC-derived neurons exhibiting spontaneous oscillatory activity after cultivation of up to 6 months, which resembles early oscillations observed in rodent neurons. This behavior was found in neurons generated using a more "native" embryoid body protocol, in contrast to a "fast" protocol based on NGN2 overexpression. A comparison with published data indicates that EB-derived neurons reach the maturity of neurons of the third trimester and NGN2-derived neurons of the second trimester of human gestation. Co-culturing NGN2-derived neurons with astrocytes only led to a partial compensation and did not reliably induce complex network activity. Our data will help selection of the appropriate iPSC differentiation assay to address specific questions related to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Asunto(s)

Diferenciación Celular , Sistema Nervioso/crecimiento & desarrollo , Neuronas/citología , Sinapsis/metabolismo , Proliferación Celular , Fenómenos Electrofisiológicos , Cuerpos Embrioides/citología , Humanos , Modelos Biológicos , Proteínas del Tejido Nervioso/metabolismo , Neuronas/metabolismo

RESUMEN

We compared the acute effect of typical (haloperidol) and atypical (aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine) antipsychotic drugs (APDs) on spontaneous electrophysiological activity of in vitro neuronal networks cultured on microelectrode arrays (MEAs). Network burst analysis revealed a "regularizing" effect of all APDs at therapeutic concentrations, i.e., an increase of network-wide temporal synchronization. At supratherapeutic concentrations, all APDs but olanzapine mediated a decrease of burst and spike rates, burst duration, number of spikes in bursts, and network synchrony. The rank order of potency of APDs was: haloperidol > aripiprazole > clozapine > olanzapine (no suppression). Disruption of network function was not due to enhanced cell death as assessed by trypan blue staining. APDs promoted distinct concentration-dependent alterations yielding acute effect fingerprints of the tested compounds. These effects were rather characteristic for individual compounds than distinctive for typical vs. atypical APDs. Thus, this dichotomy may be of value in distinguishing clinical features but has no apparent basis on the network or local circuitry level.

Asunto(s)

Potenciales de Acción/efectos de los fármacos , Antipsicóticos/farmacología , Corteza Cerebral/efectos de los fármacos , Red Nerviosa/efectos de los fármacos , Potenciales de Acción/fisiología , Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos , Aripiprazol/farmacología , Células Cultivadas , Corteza Cerebral/citología , Corteza Cerebral/fisiología , Clozapina/farmacología , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Haloperidol/farmacología , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Red Nerviosa/fisiología

RESUMEN

Multielectrode arrays enable the detection of spontaneous cellular network activity, which can be utilized for the characterization of a neuronal culture. Here, we describe the detection of spontaneous neuronal activity in iPSC-derived cortical neurons using a 24-well plate for a multiwall-MEA system.

Asunto(s)

Potenciales de Acción/fisiología , Red Nerviosa/fisiología , Neuronas/fisiología , Técnicas de Cultivo de Célula/métodos , Diferenciación Celular , Células Cultivadas , Humanos , Células Madre Pluripotentes Inducidas/citología , Microelectrodos , Neuronas/citología

RESUMEN

Neuronal networks can synchronize their activity through excitatory and inhibitory connections, which is conducive to synaptic plasticity. This synchronization is reflected in rhythmic fluctuations of the extracellular field. In the hippocampus, theta and gamma band LFP oscillations are a hallmark of the processing of spatial information and memory. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an intellectual disability and the most common genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder (Belmonte and Bourgeron, 2006). Here, we investigated how neuronal network synchronization in the mouse hippocampus is compromised by the Fmr1 mutation that causes FXS (Santos et al., 2014), relating recently observed single-cell level impairments (Arbab et al., 2017) to neuronal network aberrations. We implanted tetrodes in hippocampus of freely moving Fmr1-KO and littermate wildtype (WT) mice (Mientjes et al., 2006), to record spike trains from multiple, isolated neurons as well as LFPs in a spatial exploration paradigm. Compared to wild type mice, Fmr1-KO mice displayed greater power of hippocampal theta oscillations, and higher coherence in the slow gamma band. Additionally, spike trains of Fmr1-KO interneurons show decreased spike-count correlations and they are hypersynchronized with theta and slow gamma oscillations. The hypersynchronization of Fmr1-KO oscillations and spike timing reflects functional deficits in local networks. This network hypersynchronization pathologically decreases the heterogeneity of spike-LFP phase coupling, compromising information processing within the hippocampal circuit. These findings may reflect a pathophysiological mechanism explaining cognitive impairments in FXS and autism, in which there is anomalous processing of social and environmental cues and associated deficits in memory and cognition.

Asunto(s)

Proteína de la Discapacidad Intelectual del Síndrome del Cromosoma X Frágil , Síndrome del Cromosoma X Frágil/fisiopatología , Ritmo Gamma/fisiología , Hipocampo/fisiopatología , Red Nerviosa/fisiopatología , Ritmo Teta/fisiología , Potenciales de Acción/fisiología , Animales , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Proteína de la Discapacidad Intelectual del Síndrome del Cromosoma X Frágil/genética , Síndrome del Cromosoma X Frágil/genética , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Noqueados

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Several molecular and cellular processes in the vertebrate brain exhibit differences between males and females, leading to sexual dimorphism in the formation of neural circuits and brain organization. While studies on large-scale brain networks provide ample evidence for both structural and functional sex differences, smaller-scale local networks have remained largely unexplored. In the current study, we investigate sexual dimorphism in cortical dynamics by means of spontaneous Up/Down states, a type of network activity that is exhibited during slow-wave sleep, quiet wakefulness, and anesthesia and is thought to represent the default activity of the cortex. METHODS: Up state activity was monitored by local field potential recordings in coronal brain slices of male and female mice across three ages with distinct secretion profiles of sex hormones: (i) pre-puberty (17-21 days old), (ii) 3-9 adult (months old), and (iii) old (19-24 months old). RESULTS: Female mice of all ages exhibited longer and more frequent Up states compared to aged-matched male mice. Power spectrum analysis revealed sex differences in the relative power of Up state events, with female mice showing reduced power in the delta range (1-4 Hz) and increased power in the theta range (4-8 Hz) compared to male mice. No sex differences were found in the characteristics of Up state peak voltage and latency. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed for the first time sex differences in intracortical network activity, using an ex vivo paradigm of spontaneously occurring Up/Down states. We report significant sex differences in Up state properties that are already present in pre-puberty animals and are maintained through adulthood and old age.

Asunto(s)

Corteza Cerebral/fisiología , Caracteres Sexuales , Animales , Corteza Cerebral/crecimiento & desarrollo , Femenino , Masculino , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL

RESUMEN

Direct electrical coupling between neurons through gap junctions is prominent during development, when synaptic connectivity is scarce, providing the additional intercellular connectivity. However, functional studies of gap junctions are hampered by the unspecificity of pharmacological tools available. Here we have investigated gap-junctional coupling between CA3 pyramidal cells in neonatal hippocampus and its contribution to early network activity. Four different gap junction inhibitors, including the general blocker carbenoxolone, decreased the frequency of network activity bursts in CA3 area of hippocampus of P3-6 rats, suggesting the involvement of electrical connections in the generation of spontaneous network activity. In CA3 pyramidal cells, spikelets evoked by local stimulation of stratum oriens, were inhibited by carbenoxolone, but not by inhibitors of glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic transmission, signifying the presence of electrical connectivity through axo-axonic gap junctions. Carbenoxolone also decreased the success rate of firing antidromic action potentials in response to stimulation, and changed the pattern of spontaneous action potential firing of CA3 pyramidal cells. Altogether, these data suggest that electrical coupling of CA3 pyramidal cells contribute to the generation of the early network events in neonatal hippocampus by modulating their firing pattern and synchronization.

Asunto(s)

Potenciales de Acción/fisiología , Región CA3 Hipocampal/crecimiento & desarrollo , Región CA3 Hipocampal/metabolismo , Uniones Comunicantes/metabolismo , Células Piramidales/metabolismo , Potenciales de Acción/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Región CA3 Hipocampal/efectos de los fármacos , Carbenoxolona/farmacología , Ácido Flufenámico/farmacología , Uniones Comunicantes/efectos de los fármacos , Mefloquina/farmacología , Neurotransmisores/farmacología , Técnicas de Placa-Clamp , Células Piramidales/efectos de los fármacos , Quinina/farmacología , Ratas Wistar , Técnicas de Cultivo de Tejidos

RESUMEN

The future of tissue engineering applications for neuronal cells will require a supportive 3D matrix. This particular matrix should be soft, elastic and supportive for cell growth. In this study, we characterized the suitability of a 3D synthetic hydrogel matrix, PuraMatrix™, as a growth platform for human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived neural cells. The viability of the cells grown on top of, inside and under the hydrogel was monitored. The maturation and electrical activity of the neuronal networks inside the hydrogel were further characterized. We showed that cells stayed viable on the top of the PuraMatrix™ surface and growth of the neural cells and neural processes was good. Further, hESC-derived neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes all grew, matured and migrated when cultured inside the hydrogel. Importantly, neuronal cells were able to form electrically active connections that were verified using microelectrode array. Thus, PuraMatrix is a good supportive growth matrix for human neural cells and may serve as a matrix for neuronal scaffolds in neural tissue engineering.

Asunto(s)

Técnicas de Cultivo de Célula , Células Madre Embrionarias/citología , Neuronas/citología , Andamios del Tejido , Diferenciación Celular , Supervivencia Celular , Electrodos , Electrofisiología , Humanos , Hidrogeles/química , Microscopía Confocal , Ingeniería de Tejidos/métodos

RESUMEN

Upon maturation, primary neuronal cultures form an interconnected network based on neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis in which spontaneous electrical activity arises. Measurement of network activity allows quantification of neuronal health and maturation. A fluorescent indicator was used to monitor secondary calcium influxes after the occurrence of action potentials, allowing us to examine activity of hippocampal cultures via confocal live cell imaging. Subsequently, nuclear staining with DAPI allows accurate cell segmentation. To analyze the calcium recording in a robust, observer-independent manner, we implemented an automated image- and signal-processing algorithm and validated it against a visual, interactive procedure. Both methods yielded similar results on the emergence of synchronized activity and allowed robust quantitative measurement of acute and chronic modulation of drugs on network activity. Both the number of days in vitro (DIV) and neutralization of nerve growth factor (NGF) have a significant effect on synchronous burst frequency and correlation. Acute effects are demonstrated using 5-HT (serotonin) and ethylene glycol tetra-acetic acid. Automated analysis allowed measuring additional features, such as peak decay times and bursting frequency of individual neurons. Based on neuronal cell cultures in 96-well plates and accurate calcium recordings, the analysis method allows development of an integrated high-content screening assay. Because molecular biological techniques can be applied to assess the influence of genes on network activity, it is applicable for neurotoxicity or neurotrophics screening as well as development of in vitro disease models via, for example, pharmacologic manipulation or RNAi.

Asunto(s)

Señalización del Calcio , Evaluación Preclínica de Medicamentos/métodos , Red Nerviosa/efectos de los fármacos , Neurotransmisores/farmacología , Potenciales de Acción , Algoritmos , Análisis de Varianza , Animales , Células Cultivadas , Quelantes/farmacología , Descubrimiento de Drogas , Ácido Egtácico/farmacología , Ensayos Analíticos de Alto Rendimiento , Hipocampo/citología , Ratones , Neuronas/efectos de los fármacos , Neuronas/metabolismo , Imagen Óptica , Cultivo Primario de Células

RESUMEN

Astrocytes, the third element of the tripartite synapse, are active players in neurotransmission. Up to now, their involvement in neuronal functions has primarily been investigated at the single cell level. However, a key property of astrocytes is that they communicate via extensive networks formed by gap junction channels. Recently, we have shown that this networking modulates the moment to moment basal synaptic transmission and plasticity via the regulation of extracellular potassium and glutamate levels. Here we show that astroglial gap junctional communication also regulates neuronal network activity. We discuss these findings and their implications for brain information processing.