Biomaterials-based strategies for in vitro neural models

Abstract

This review provides a comprehensive compendium of commonly used biomaterials as well as the different fabrication techniques employed for the design of 3D neural tissue models.

Rheological Characterization of Three-Dimensional Neuronal Cultures Embedded in PEGylated Fibrin Hydrogels

“…However, PEG shows a low cellular adhesion, which makes it, in principle, not suitable for cell culturing [ 43 ]. On the other, fibrin gels are composed of a mixture of two blood coagulation components, fibrinogen and thrombin [ 23 , 44 ]. Fibrinogen is a blood plasma protein involved in blood clotting during the coagulation process.…”

“…The central problem when preparing 3D neuronal cultures is the selection of the bulk material in which the neurons will grow. This material needs to mimic the brain extracellular matrix (ECM), a fibrous network with a complex distribution of proteoglycans, such as hyaluronic acid and elastic fibers embedded in a highly hydrated environment [ 22 , 23 ]. The brain ECM is so unique that it allows for the efficient transport of molecules, nutrients and metabolic waste while providing structural support to the neurons.…”

Electroconductive Collagen‐Carbon Nanodots Nanocomposite Elicits Neurite Outgrowth, Supports Neurogenic Differentiation and Accelerates Electrophysiological Maturation of Neural Progenitor Spheroids

“…[16,[28][29][30] It is well known that for central nervous system neurons, the J. Woulfe The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada two-dimensional cellular microenvironment associated with cell monolayer cultures leads to aberrant cell-cell contacts and network formation, unrealistically flattens soma and growth cones and limits axon-dendrite outgrowth. [31][32][33] Despite the advancements in preclinical technologies (e.g., bioprinting) and approaches which enable the creation of highly controlled in vitro models and cellular constructs, [34][35][36] most reported studies in this field have employed culture systems that do not fully capture the physiological complexity and architecture of the native nervous tissue. [37][38][39] Taken together, these observations reaffirm the importance of selecting physiologically accurate in vitro testing platforms and relevant cell models, as an important early step for the development of novel neuroregenerative biomaterials and the investigation of their therapeutic potential.…”

“…The rationale behind this novel strategy is that collagen has already shown great promise as a therapeutic solution for central nervous system injuries and degeneration. [5,33,40] When used in its hydrogel form, collagen provides unique physicochemical and biological cues that support cellular adhesion, growth and proliferation. It is also a biopolymer approved by the FDA for clinical testing in neural tissue engineering and several collagen-based products are already commercially available.…”

Neuronal and glial cell co-culture organization and impedance spectroscopy on nanocolumnar TiN films for lab-on-a-chip devices

“…11 Great efforts have been made in recent years to bridge the gap between in vivo animal experiments and in vitro cell cultures, resulting in promising advances in biomimetic neural micro-environments, which mimic neural networks or structures found in the brain. 12,13 Such systems can offer great potential to study neural function, leading to the widespread field of brain-on-a-chip devices as, e.g., illustrated by Brofiga et al, 14 Maoz, 15 and Bang et al 16 However, the idea to recreate organs on chips does not end with brains, but rather extends to other organs such as lung, 17 liver, 18 kidney, 19 heart, 20 bone, 21 skin, 22 and many more. Thus, such organ-on-a-chip devices recapitulate the key features of the physiology of human organs.…”