Title

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

Authors

Authors

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

Comments

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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

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