Skip to main content
Log in

Neuronal networks in vitro: formation and organization on biofunctionalized surfaces

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Receptor-mediated recognition of substrate molecules is a prerequisite for nerve cells in order to find their target structures in vivo and leads to formation of neuronal connections and networks. In order to study these mechanisms under in vitro conditions, we cultured embryonic hippocampal neurons or neuronal cell lines, SH-SY5Y and PCC7-PCC7-Mz1, onto biofunctionalized surfaces. Micropatterning on polymer surfaces, glass- and silicone-oxide-based chip materials was performed in a micrometer range by microcontact printing using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamps. Hippocampal neurons were found to form networks on chip surfaces under serum-free conditions and remained functional for more than a week. Human neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y as well as PCC7-Mz1 stem cells were found to follow microcontact printed pattern on polystyrene surfaces. Both cell lines showed neuronal marker expression and were cultured for up to 7 days with serum containing culture medium. Widths of 3–5 µm of coating lines were found to enhance single cell spreading along the pattern. The techniques described in this study may be useful in promoting nerve cell regeneration and organization following transection due to trauma or surgery. The neuronal alignment and network formation in vitro may furthermore serve as a model system in the field of biosensors. © 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. C. A. Buck and A. F. Horwitz, J. Cell Sci. Suppl. 8 (1987) 231.

    Google Scholar 

  2. D. Gospodariwicz, G. Greenberg, J. M. Foidart and N. Savion, J. Cell Physiol. 107 (1981) 171.

    Google Scholar 

  3. M. Tessier-Lavigne and C.S. Goodman Science 274 (1996) 1123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. K. Goslin, H. Asmussen and G. Banker, in “Culturing nerve cells”, edited by G. Banker and R. Goslin (The MIT Press, Cambridge, 1998) p. 139.

    Google Scholar 

  5. C. Berger, S. Reinhardt, M. Rentrop, M. Bachmann, T. Weiser, E. Link, M. Wienrich, R. Jahn and A. Maelicke, Eur. J. Cell Biol. 74 (1997) 230.

    Google Scholar 

  6. M. Scholl, C. Sproessler, M. Denyer, M. Krause, A. Offenhaeusser, W. Knoll and A. Maelicke, J. Neuroscience Methods (1999) submitted.

  7. S. Pahlmann, S. Mamaeva, G. Meyerson, M.E. K. Mattson, C. Bjelfman, E. Ortoft and U. Hammerling, Acta Physiol. Scand. 592 (1990) 25.

    Google Scholar 

  8. R. Jostock, M. Rentrop and A. Maelicke, Eur. J. Cell Biol. 76 (1998) 63.

    Google Scholar 

  9. R. Jostock, Dissertation, University of Mainz, Germany (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  10. D. W. Branch, J. M. Corey, J. A. Weyhenmeyer, G. J. Brewer and B. C. Wheeler, Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 36 (1998) 135.

    Google Scholar 

  11. S. E. Sakivama-Elbert and J. A. Hubbell, in Proceedings of the 25th annual meeting of the Society for Biomaterials, Providence, RI, May 1999, Society for Biomaterials, MN, USA.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Klein, C., Scholl, M. & Maelicke, A. Neuronal networks in vitro: formation and organization on biofunctionalized surfaces. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine 10, 721–727 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008975105243

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008975105243

Keywords

Navigation