title: Electrophysiological and morphological characterization of rat embryonic motoneurons in a defined system.
abstract: In an attempt to integrate biological components with silicon-based devices and systems, artificial silane surfaces have been successfully used to grow motoneurons in a defined environment. In this study we characterized the morphology and electrophysiology of purified rat embryonic (E14) motoneurons grown on a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of N-1[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]diethylenetriamine (DETA) versus that on ornithine/laminin surfaces in serum-free media. On DETA motoneurons were flat and grew more processes, whereas on ornithine/laminin they tended to aggregate. The membrane time constant, a characteristic associated with electrotonic compactness, was significantly longer for motoneurons grown on DETA. Other electrophysiological parameters were similar for the motoneurons on the different surfaces. This is the first study where purified ventral horn motoneurons were cultured in a completely defined (nonbiological surface, serum-free) environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, 420 Rhodes Hall, Clemson, South Carolina 29634-0905, USA.
authors.forename: Mainak
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Molnar
authors.forename: Halagowder
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Devaraj
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poeta
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hickman
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D048429:Cell Size; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry*; D003671:DEET / Q000737:chemistry*; D007797:Laminin / Q000737:chemistry; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D009952:Ornithine / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D007797:Laminin; D003671:DEET; D009952:Ornithine