Ck. Yeung et al., Modulation of the growth and guidance of rat brain stem neurons using patterned extracellular matrix proteins, NEUROSCI L, 301(2), 2001, pp. 147-150
Dissociated neuronal cultures on substrates patterned with extracellular ma
trix (ECM) proteins have yielded much information regarding the physiologic
al characteristics of neuronal cells behaviour in vitro. However, neuronal
patterning using long term embryonic brain slice cultures has not been comp
rehensively demonstrated to-date. Structuring was performed by micro contac
t printing of laminin. The slice cultures were evaluated by means of phase
contrast microscopy at 3-22 days in culture. We were able to consistently a
chieve outgrowth of neurons, neurites and filopodia from brain stem slices
cultured on ECM proteins structures of grid- and line-shapes. We believe th
at brain slice cultures on patterned substrates is a favourable approach to
study functional synapses in vitro under defined conditions. The use of ap
propriate structures and the subsequent cell patterning may help to gain fu
rther understanding of axonal, dendritic and synaptic signal transductions
and processes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.