title: In vitro comparison of motor and sensory neuron outgrowth in a 3D collagen matrix.
abstract: In this work we set up an in vitro model, based on organotypic cultures of spinal cord slices and dorsal root ganglia explants from P7 rats, embedded in a collagen matrix and cultured under the same conditions. As specific reinnervation of end-organs is still an unresolved issue in peripheral nerve research, we characterized a model that allows us to compare under the same conditions motor and sensory neuron regeneration. RT97 labeling was used to visualize the regenerating neurites that extended in the collagen gel from both motor neurons in the spinal cord slices and sensory neurons in the DRG explants after a few days in vitro. By adding different neurotrophic factors in the collagen matrix, we evaluated the reliability of DRG and spinal cord preparations. Moreover, we also set up a co-culture with dissociated Schwann cells to further mimic the permissive environment of the peripheral nerve. Thus, these in vitro models can be useful tools to investigate mechanisms for the selective regeneration of sensory and motor neurons, which can be translated into in vivo models.
authors.affiliation: Group of Neuroplasticity and Regeneration, Institute of Neurosciences and Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
authors.forename: Ilary
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Allodi
authors.forename: Mónica-Sofía
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Guzmán-Lenis
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hernàndez
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Udina
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling / Q000379:methods; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000502:physiology; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D003094:Collagen