Engineered 3D vascular and neuronal networks in a microfluidic platform

Sci Rep. 2018 Mar 26;8(1):5168. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-23512-1.

Abstract

Neurovascular coupling plays a key role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders including motor neuron disease (MND). In vitro models provide an opportunity to understand the pathogenesis of MND, and offer the potential for drug screening. Here, we describe a new 3D microvascular and neuronal network model in a microfluidic platform to investigate interactions between these two systems. Both 3D networks were established by co-culturing human embryonic stem (ES)-derived MN spheroids and endothelial cells (ECs) in microfluidic devices. Co-culture with ECs improves neurite elongation and neuronal connectivity as measured by Ca2+ oscillation. This improvement was regulated not only by paracrine signals such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor secreted by ECs but also through direct cell-cell interactions via the delta-notch pathway, promoting neuron differentiation and neuroprotection. Bi-directional signaling was observed in that the neural networks also affected vascular network formation under perfusion culture. This in vitro model could enable investigations of neuro-vascular coupling, essential to understanding the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases including MNDs such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Capillary Permeability
  • Cell Communication / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / physiology
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices*
  • Microfluidics / methods*
  • Motor Neuron Disease / metabolism
  • Motor Neurons / metabolism*
  • Nerve Net
  • Neurogenesis / physiology
  • Paracrine Communication
  • Spheroids, Cellular / metabolism
  • Synapses / metabolism
  • Tissue Engineering / methods