TY - JOUR
T1 - Low-density neuronal networks cultured using patterned poly-l-lysine on microelectrode arrays
AU - Jun, Sang Beom
AU - Hynd, Matthew R.
AU - Dowell-Mesfin, Natalie
AU - Smith, Karen L.
AU - Turner, James N.
AU - Shain, William
AU - Kim, Sung June
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by the International Collaboration Program, NBS-ERC (Nano Bioelectronics and Systems Engineering Research Center)/KOSEF (Korea Science and Engineering Foundation) and NIH, R01NS-044287, NSF, ECS-9876771. Authors also appreciate help from T.H. Lee and J.K. Lee for assistance in the fabrication of MEAs and stamp masters.
PY - 2007/3/15
Y1 - 2007/3/15
N2 - Synaptic activity recorded from low-density networks of cultured rat hippocampal neurons was monitored using microelectrode arrays (MEAs). Neuronal networks were patterned with poly-l-lysine (PLL) using microcontact printing (μCP). Polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) stamps were fabricated with relief structures resulting in patterns of 2 μm-wide lines for directing process growth and 20 μm-diameter circles for cell soma attachment. These circles were aligned to electrode sites. Different densities of neurons were plated in order to assess the minimal neuron density required for development of an active network. Spontaneous activity was observed at 10-14 days in networks using neuron densities as low as 200 cells/mm2. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated the distribution of dendrites along the lines and the location of foci of the presynaptic protein, synaptophysin, on neuron somas and dendrites. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that single fluorescent tracks contained multiple processes. Evoked responses of selected portions of the networks were produced by stimulation of specific electrode sites. In addition, the neuronal excitability of the network was increased by the bath application of high K+ (10-12 mM). Application of DNQX, an AMPA antagonist, blocked all spontaneous activity, suggesting that the activity is excitatory and mediated through glutamate receptors.
AB - Synaptic activity recorded from low-density networks of cultured rat hippocampal neurons was monitored using microelectrode arrays (MEAs). Neuronal networks were patterned with poly-l-lysine (PLL) using microcontact printing (μCP). Polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) stamps were fabricated with relief structures resulting in patterns of 2 μm-wide lines for directing process growth and 20 μm-diameter circles for cell soma attachment. These circles were aligned to electrode sites. Different densities of neurons were plated in order to assess the minimal neuron density required for development of an active network. Spontaneous activity was observed at 10-14 days in networks using neuron densities as low as 200 cells/mm2. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated the distribution of dendrites along the lines and the location of foci of the presynaptic protein, synaptophysin, on neuron somas and dendrites. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that single fluorescent tracks contained multiple processes. Evoked responses of selected portions of the networks were produced by stimulation of specific electrode sites. In addition, the neuronal excitability of the network was increased by the bath application of high K+ (10-12 mM). Application of DNQX, an AMPA antagonist, blocked all spontaneous activity, suggesting that the activity is excitatory and mediated through glutamate receptors.
KW - Microcontact printing
KW - Microelectrode arrays
KW - Neural networks
KW - Synapse formation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33846919305&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2006.09.009
DO - 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2006.09.009
M3 - Article
C2 - 17049614
AN - SCOPUS:33846919305
VL - 160
SP - 317
EP - 326
JO - Journal of Neuroscience Methods
JF - Journal of Neuroscience Methods
SN - 0165-0270
IS - 2
ER -