Title

Tissue Engineering The Monosynaptic Circuit Of The Stretch Reflex Arc With Co-Culture Of Embryonic Motoneurons And Proprioceptive Sensory Neurons

Keywords

DETA; Dorsal root ganglion; Motoneurons; Proprioceptive sensory neurons; Serum free; Stretch reflex arc

Abstract

The sensory circuit of the stretch reflex arc is composed of intrafusal muscle fibers and their innervating proprioceptive neurons that convert mechanical information regarding muscle length and tension into action potentials that synapse onto the homonymous motoneurons in the ventral spinal cord which innervate the extrafusal fibers of the same muscle. To date, the in vitro synaptic connection between proprioceptive sensory neurons and spinal motoneurons has not been demonstrated. A functional in vitro system demonstrating this connection would enable the understanding of feedback by the integration of sensory input into the spinal reflex arc. Here we report a co-culture of rat embryonic motoneurons and proprioceptive sensory neurons from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in a defined serum-free medium on a synthetic silane substrate (DETA). Furthermore, we have demonstrated functional synapse formation in the co-culture by immunocytochemistry and electrophysiological analysis. This work will be valuable for enabling in vitro model systems for the study of spinal motor control and related pathologies such as spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy and spasticity by improving our understanding of the integration of the mechanosensitive feedback mechanism. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Publication Date

8-1-2012

Publication Title

Biomaterials

Volume

33

Issue

23

Number of Pages

5723-5731

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.04.042

Socpus ID

84861344278 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84861344278

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