In Vitro Reconstruction of Neuronal Networks Derived from Human iPS Cells Using Microfabricated Devices

PLoS One. 2016 Feb 5;11(2):e0148559. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148559. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Morphology and function of the nervous system is maintained via well-coordinated processes both in central and peripheral nervous tissues, which govern the homeostasis of organs/tissues. Impairments of the nervous system induce neuronal disorders such as peripheral neuropathy or cardiac arrhythmia. Although further investigation is warranted to reveal the molecular mechanisms of progression in such diseases, appropriate model systems mimicking the patient-specific communication between neurons and organs are not established yet. In this study, we reconstructed the neuronal network in vitro either between neurons of the human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell derived peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS), or between PNS neurons and cardiac cells in a morphologically and functionally compartmentalized manner. Networks were constructed in photolithographically microfabricated devices with two culture compartments connected by 20 microtunnels. We confirmed that PNS and CNS neurons connected via synapses and formed a network. Additionally, calcium-imaging experiments showed that the bundles originating from the PNS neurons were functionally active and responded reproducibly to external stimuli. Next, we confirmed that CNS neurons showed an increase in calcium activity during electrical stimulation of networked bundles from PNS neurons in order to demonstrate the formation of functional cell-cell interactions. We also confirmed the formation of synapses between PNS neurons and mature cardiac cells. These results indicate that compartmentalized culture devices are promising tools for reconstructing network-wide connections between PNS neurons and various organs, and might help to understand patient-specific molecular and functional mechanisms under normal and pathological conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Central Nervous System / cytology
  • Coculture Techniques / instrumentation
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Humans
  • Immunochemistry
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Microtechnology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / cytology
  • Nerve Net*
  • Peripheral Nervous System / cytology

Substances

  • Calcium

Grants and funding

Funding was provided by a Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A) (#26702015) from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) to YT. Funding was also provided by the Uehara Memorial Foundation and the Ono Medical Research Foundation to YSK. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.