In Vitro Modelling of Nerve-Muscle Connectivity in a Compartmentalised Tissue Culture Device.

ABSTRACT: Motor neurons project axons from the hindbrain and spinal cord to muscle, where they induce myofibre contractions through neurotransmitter release at neuromuscular junctions. Studies of neuromuscular junction formation and homeostasis have been largely confined to in vivo models. In this study we have merged three powerful tools - pluripotent stem cells, optogenetics and microfabrication - and designed an open microdevice in which motor axons grow from a neural compartment containing embryonic stem cell-derived motor neurons and astrocytes through microchannels to form functional neuromuscular junctions with contractile myofibers in a separate compartment. Optogenetic entrainment of motor neurons in this reductionist neuromuscular circuit enhanced neuromuscular junction formation mo

SUBMITTER: Machado CB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6699992 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature