Characterization of cortical neuron outgrowth in two- and three-dimensional culture systems.
To improve the ability of regeneration by grafting living cells or by adding growth factor to a lesion site, it is important to find good biomaterials for neuron survival and regeneration. This study focused on two- and three-dimensional cultures in a matrix using biomaterials such as agarose, collagen, fibrin, and their mixtures, because these are considered to be suitable biomaterials for neuron outgrowth. Cortical neurons were dissected from E17 rat embryos and cultured in agarose gel, collagen gel, fibrin glue, and mixtures of collagen and fibrin. Results showed that neurons cultured in collagen gel and fibrin glue had longer periods of survival (more than 3 weeks) and better neurite extension than those observed in agarose gels. As to the survival rate according to the MTT and lactate dehydrogenase assays, fibrin glue was the most suitable biomaterial for neuron survival among the biomaterials examined. With two-dimensional fibrin plating, neuron cells exhibited cell aggregation and stress fibers, but the same results were not observed with collagen gel. There were no differences in neurite extension and survival in the mixtures of collagen and fibrin. The results suggest that collagen and fibrin can provide a suitable substrate for a three-dimensional culture matrix for neuronal survival and differentiation.
Taipei Municipal Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Po-Wei
PW
Lin
Chi-Chen
CC
Wu
Chien-Ho
CH
Chen
Hsiu-O
HO
Ho
Yi-Chun
YC
Chen
Ming-Thau
MT
Sheu
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar