Universität Hamburg
Patient-derived neurons
generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) form an essential
cornerstone for neurodegenerative disease research. Unfortunately, cell
cultures in conventional Petri dishes cannot resemble complex in vivo
conditions, and also brain-on-a-chip (BoC) approaches in two-dimensional
microfluidic devices do not reflect the three-dimensional nature of the human
brain. However, state-of-the-art microfabrication techniques employing
two-photon lithography (TPL) allow for high-precision prints of 3D scaffolds
for cell culturing. In this contribution, we demonstrate that human
iPSC-derived neurons can be cultivated and guided in 3D-printed scaffolds to
form tailor-made neuronal networks. Not only the electrophysiologically mature
state of the neurons was proven by patch-clamp measurements of action
potentials but also synaptic activity—a prerequisite for functional network
activity—is captured by spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents. In our
routine, pre-mature neurons are transferred to the platform and the networks
are formed within only a few days. In combination with the versatile nature of
TPL to create any shape of 3D scaffold to increase the complexity of network
topology, we believe that our studies employing patient-derived human neurons
deliver novel approaches valuable in human disease research.
Abstract
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