title: A new three-dimensional axonal outgrowth assay for central nervous system regeneration.
abstract: Although recent studies have shown that cell transplantation is effective in promoting regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS) of adult mammals, functional recovery has been reported to be limited. In vitro models of axonal outgrowth assays are often used as easy methods for screening cells for transplantation but often fail to reflect the physiological conditions of in vivo CNS injury models. In order to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo models, we have established a new organotypic co-culture system comprising cortical tissue and a Matrigel containing several cell types that are candidates for transplantation therapy for CNS injury. In this model, cells transplanted in a Matrigel produce a three-dimensional architecture, with axons elongating from the cortex in the Matrigel. The ability of the transplanted cells to promote axonal growth was examined quantitatively by assessing axonal number and length. Moreover, we observed site-specific rearrangement of transplanted cells and interactions between axons and cells, including several cortical cells that migrated into the gel. These results indicate that our co-culture system can provide a useful assay for transplanted cells prior to in vivo screening.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita City 565-0871, Osaka, Japan.
authors: Masahiro
authors: M
authors: Ishihara
authors: Noriko
authors: N
authors: Mochizuki-Oda
authors: Koichi
authors: K
authors: Iwatsuki
authors: Haruhiko
authors: H
authors: Kishima
authors: Yumiko
authors: Y
authors: Iwamoto
authors: Yu-ichiro
authors: Y
authors: Ohnishi
authors: Masao
authors: M
authors: Umegaki
authors: Toshiki
authors: T
authors: Yoshimine
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D018920:Coculture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003094:Collagen; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007797:Laminin; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011509:Proteoglycans; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000502:physiology; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; C059485:matrigel; D003094:Collagen