Impact of micropatterned surfaces on neuronal polarity.
Experimental control over cellular polarity in a neuronal network is a promising tool to study synapse formation and network behavior. We aimed to exploit a mechanism described by Stenger et al. [J. Neurosci. Methods 82 (1998) 167] to manipulate the direction of axonal versus dendritic outgrowth on a micropattern. The group had used laser ablation to create patterns of aminated silanes for cell attachment on a background of repellent fluorinated silanes. The pattern offered continuous adhesive pathways for axonal and interrupted pathways for dendritic outgrowth. By microcontact printing, we created similar patterns containing continuous and interrupted pathways consisting of extracellular matrix proteins on a background of polystyrene. Neuronal polarity was determined on the functional level through double patch clamp measurements, detecting synapses and their orientation. Although our pattern reproduced the properties that were assumed to be critical for the described effect, namely contrasting pathways of different adhesiveness, we failed to reproduce the above results. It is indicated that other qualities of alternative pathways than mere differences in adhesiveness are required to orient neuronal polarity in vitro. We suggest that the effect observed by Stenger et al. has to be attributed to less universal characteristics of the micropattern, e.g. to the specific chemical groups that were utilized.
Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany.
Angela Katrin
AK
Vogt
Fernando Daniel
FD
Stefani
Andreas
A
Best
Gabriele
G
Nelles
Akio
A
Yasuda
Wolfgang
W
Knoll
Andreas
A
Offenhäusser
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013997:Time Factors
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004396:Coloring Agents; D012235:Rhodamines; C050829:sulforhodamine 101