title: A microfluidic based in vitro model of synaptic competition.
abstract: Synaptic competition is widely believed to be central to the formation and function of neuronal networks, yet the underlying mechanisms are poorly described. To investigate synaptic competition in vitro, we have developed a novel two input pathway competition model using a 3-compartment microfluidic device. Axons from cultured rat cortical neurons from two different lateral compartments (inputs) innervate a common neuronal population in a separate central compartment. Inhibiting one input's activity, using the GABAAR agonist muscimol, resulted in increased synapse numbers and axon elongation of the opposing untreated (uninhibited) inputs in the central compartment. Time lapse imaging revealed that uninhibited inputs outgrew and outconnected their inhibited counterparts. This form of competition occurs during a sensitive period ending prior to 21 DIV and is NMDAR and CamKII dependent. Surprisingly, this form of plasticity was dependent on the age of the center compartment neurons but not of the competing inputs.
authors.affiliation: Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T-2B5, Canada.
authors.forename: Ainsley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coquinco
authors.affiliation: Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T-2B5, Canada.
authors.forename: Luba
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kojic
authors.affiliation: Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T-2B5, Canada.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T-2B5, Canada.
authors.forename: Yu Tian
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Division of World Class University Multiscale Mechanical Design, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-744, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Noo Li
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T-2B5, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T-2B5, Canada; Centre for Applied Neurogenetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T-2B5, Canada.
authors.forename: Austen J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Milnerwood
authors.affiliation: Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T-2B5, Canada. Electronic address: cynader@brain.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cynader
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D058785:GABA-A Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D044085:Microfluidics; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009118:Muscimol / Q000494:pharmacology; D055495:Neurogenesis; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D055366:Synaptic Potentials
chemical_list: D058785:GABA-A Receptor Agonists; D009118:Muscimol
keywords: Competition; Microfluidics; Synaptic plasticity