title: Flat and tubular membrane systems for the reconstruction of hippocampal neuronal network.
abstract: The selection of appropriate biomaterials that promote cellular adhesion and growth is particularly important for the in vitro reconstruction of neuronal network. This study focused on the development of new polymeric membranes in flat and tubular (hollow-fibre) configurations as novel biomaterials for neuronal outgrowth. Two membrane systems constituted by modified polyetheretherketone (PEEK-WC) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membranes were developed and used for the culture of hamster hippocampal neurons. We demonstrated that all investigated membranes supported the adhesion and growth of hippocampal neurons enhancing neuronal differentiation and neurite alignment. The differences in cell behaviours between cells cultured on flat and hollow-fibre (HF) membranes were highlighted by the quantitative analysis of neuronal marker fluorescence intensity, morphometric analysis, RT-PCR analysis and also by metabolic activity measurements. In particular, the PAN HF membranes showed ideal growth culture conditions, guaranteeing adequate levels of metabolic features. Primary hippocampal cells cultured on PAN HF membranes were able to recreate in vitro a 3D neural tissue-like structure that, mimicking the hippocampal tissue, could be used as a tool for the study of natural and pathological neurobiological events.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Membrane Technology, National Research Council of Italy, ITM-CNR, c/o University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 17/C, 87030, Rende (CS), Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piscioneri
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salerno
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rende
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campana
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tasselli
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: di Vito
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giusi
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canonaco
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Drioli
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Bartolo
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001577:Benzophenones; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology*; D007659:Ketones / Q000494:pharmacology; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D011107:Polylysine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011108:Polymers; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D001577:Benzophenones; D007659:Ketones; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D011108:Polymers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D014404:Tubulin; C010504:polyacrylonitrile; D011107:Polylysine; C063834:polyetheretherketone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C104722:glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 2