Micropatterned substrates for the growth of functional neuronal networks of defined geometry

Vogt, A.; Knoll, W.; Lauer, L.; Offenhäusser, A.

doi:10.1021/bp034016f

Journal Article

PreJuSER-29298

Micropatterned substrates for the growth of functional neuronal networks of defined geometry

Vogt, A. ; Lauer, L. ; Knoll, W. ; Offenhäusser, A.FZJ*

2003
Wiley Malden, MA

Biotechnology progress 19, 1562 - 1568 (2003) [10.1021/bp034016f]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/2072 doi:10.1021/bp034016f

Abstract: The in vitro assembly of neuronal networks with control over cell position and connectivity is a fascinating approach not only for topics in basic neuroscience research but also in diverse applications such as biosensors and tissue engineering. We grew rat embryonic cortical neurons on patterned substrates created by microcontact printing. Polystyrene was used as a cell repellent background, onto which a grid pattern of physiological proteins was applied. We printed laminin and a mixture of extracellular matrix proteins and additionally both systems mixed with polylysine. Attachment of cells to the pattern with high fidelity as well as the formation of chemical synapses between neighboring cells on the pattern could be observed in all four cases, but cell attachment was strongly increased on samples containing polylysine. Neurons grown on patterned substrates had a membrane capacity smaller than that of neurons on homogeneously coated controls, which we attributed to the geometrical restrictions, but did not differ either in resting membrane potential or in the quality of synapses they formed. We therefore believe that the cells attach and differentiate normally on the pattern and form functional, mature synapses following the predefined geometry.

Keyword(s): Action Potentials: physiology (MeSH) ; Cell Adhesion: physiology (MeSH) ; Cell Culture Techniques: instrumentation (MeSH) ; Cell Culture Techniques: methods (MeSH) ; Cells, Cultured (MeSH) ; Manufactured Materials (MeSH) ; Membranes, Artificial (MeSH) ; Nerve Net: cytology (MeSH) ; Nerve Net: growth & development (MeSH) ; Neurons: cytology (MeSH) ; Neurons: physiology (MeSH) ; Polystyrenes (MeSH) ; Synaptic Transmission: physiology (MeSH) ; Membranes, Artificial ; Polystyrenes ; J