Using microfluidic chip to form brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration gradient for studying neuron axon guidance

Abstract

Molecular gradients play a significant role in regulating biological and pathological processes. Although conventional gradient-generators have been used for studying chemotaxis and axon guidance, there are still many limitations, including the inability to maintain stable tempo-spatial gradients and the lack of the cell monitoring in a real-time manner. To overcome these shortcomings, microfluidic devices have been developed. In this study, we developed a microfluidic gradient device for regulating neuron axon guidance. A microfluidic device enables the generation of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gradient profiles in a temporal and spatial manner. We test the effect of the gradient profiles on axon guidance, in the BDNF concentration gradient axon towards the high concentration gradient. This microfluidic gradient device could be used as a powerful tool for cell biology research. V C 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

Comparative toxicity of lead (Pb2+), copper (Cu2+), and mixtures of lead and copper to zebrafish embryos on a microfluidic chip

“…27,28 In this study, we developed a microfluidic system to evaluate the dynamic developmental toxicity and teratogenicity of single and combined Pb 2þ and Cu 2þ on zebrafish embryos. The microfluidic device offers three inlets for Pb 2þ , Cu 2þ , and culture solution, respectively.…”

Integrative Utilization of Microenvironments, Biomaterials and Computational Techniques for Advanced Tissue Engineering

“…Each of these steps should be studied in a detailed manner to result in appropriate regenerative methods. There are several studies for the concentration gradient effects of neurotrophic factor gradients in directing axonal development [242,243], but axonal development was just only recently been studied in microfluidic devices with a precise control over the quantitative gradients of biochemical factors [244][245][246]. The role of matrix stiffness has been found critical in the ability of NPCs to differentiate into neurons, but most of these studies have been performed on 2D substrates [177,247].…”

Functional Characterization of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Models of the Brain with Microelectrode Arrays

“…PLL-laminin microprinting can create multinodal networks of rodent neurons on MEA [ 164 ], and it would be interesting to see if human neurons behave differently in such a setting. Other techniques can also be used in combination with microfluidics and micropatterning to guide axonal growth, such as the application of high-frequency electrical fields [ 165 ], the creation of a gradient of neurotrophic or growth factors [ 166 ], the modification of extracellular matrices [ 167 ] and microtopographic surface modification [ 168 ]. Ristola et al combined microfluidic devices and photopatterned microgrooves with 1 µm resolution to orientate human neuronal networks [ 169 ].…”