Myelination and node of Ranvier formation on sensory neurons in a defined in vitro system

    Authors

    J. W. Rumsey; C. McAleer; M. Das; A. Bhalkikar; K. Wilson; M. Stancescu; S. Lambert;J. J. Hickman

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol.-Anim.

    Keywords

    Myelination; Patterning; Sensory neurons; Schwann cells; SELF-ASSEMBLED MONOLAYERS; NEUROMUSCULAR-JUNCTION FORMATION; PERIPHERAL; NERVOUS-SYSTEM; CELL-DERIVED MOTONEURONS; SERUM-FREE MEDIUM; SKELETAL-MUSCLE; ORGANOSILANE SURFACE; HIPPOCAMPAL-NEURONS; SCHWANN-CELLS; GROWTH; Cell Biology; Developmental Biology

    Abstract

    One of the most important developmental modifications of the nervous system is Schwann cell myelination of axons. Schwann cells ensheath axons to create myelin segments to provide protection to the axon as well as increase the conduction of action potentials. In vitro neuronal systems provide a unique modality to study a variety of factors influencing myelination as well as diseases associated with myelin sheath degradation. This work details the development of a patterned in vitro myelinating dorsal root ganglion culture. This defined system utilized a serum-free medium in combination with a patterned substrate, utilizing the cytophobic and cytophilic molecules (poly)ethylene glycol (PEG) and N-1[3 (trimethoxysilyl) propyl] diethylenetriamine (DETA), respectively. Directional outgrowth of the neurites and subsequent myelination was controlled by surface modifications, and conformity to the pattern was measured over the duration of the experiments. The myelinated segments and nodal proteins were visualized and quantified using confocal microscopy. This tissue-engineered system provides a highly controlled, reproducible model for studying Schwann cell interactions with sensory neurons, as well as the myelination process, and its effect on neuronal plasticity and peripheral nerve regeneration. It is also compatible for use in bio-hybrid constructs to reproduce the stretch reflex arc on a chip because the media combination used is the same that we have used previously for motoneurons, muscle, and for neuromuscular junction (NMJ) formation. This work could have application for the study of demyelinating diseases such as diabetes induced peripheral neuropathy and could rapidly translate to a role in the discovery of drugs promoting enhanced peripheral nervous system (PNS) remyelination.

    Journal Title

    In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Animal

    Volume

    49

    Issue/Number

    8

    Publication Date

    1-1-2013

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    608

    Last Page

    618

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000324646300006

    ISSN

    1071-2690

    Share

    COinS