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μNeurocircuitry: Establishing <i>in vitro</i> models of neurocircuits with human neurons.

Author
Abstract
:

Neurocircuits in the human brain govern complex behavior and involve connections from many different neuronal subtypes from different brain regions. Recent advances in stem cell biology have enabled the derivation of patient-specific human neuronal cells of various subtypes for the study of neuronal function and disease pathology. Nevertheless, one persistent challenge using these human-derived neurons is the ability to reconstruct models of human brain circuitry. To overcome this obstacle, we have developed a compartmentalized microfluidic device, which allows for spatial separation of cell bodies of different human-derived neuronal subtypes (excitatory, inhibitory and dopaminergic) but is permissive to the spreading of projecting processes. Induced neurons (iNs) cultured in the device expressed pan-neuronal markers and subtype specific markers. Morphologically, we demonstrate defined synaptic contacts between selected neuronal subtypes by synapsin staining. Functionally, we show that excitatory neuronal stimulation evoked excitatory postsynaptic current responses in the neurons cultured in a separate chamber.

Year of Publication
:
2017
Journal
:
Technology
Volume
:
5
Issue
:
2
Number of Pages
:
87-97
ISSN Number
:
2339-5478
DOI
:
10.1142/S2339547817500054
Short Title
:
Technology (Singap World Sci)
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