title: Microfluidic control of axonal guidance.
abstract: The precision of axonal pathfinding and the accurate formation of functional neural circuitry are crucial for an organism during development as well as during adult central and peripheral nerve regeneration. While chemical cues are believed to be primarily responsible for axonal pathfinding, we hypothesize that forces due to localized fluid flow may directly affect neuronal guidance during early organ development. Here, we report direct evidence of fluid flow influencing axonal migration, producing turning angles of up to 90°. Microfluidic flow simulations indicate that an axon may experience significant bending force due to cross-flow, which may contribute to the observed axonal turning. This method of flow-based guidance was successfully used to fasciculate one advancing axon onto another, showcasing the potential of this technique to be used for the formation of in vitro neuronal circuits.
authors.affiliation: 1] Biophysics and Physiology Lab, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, TX 76019 [2].
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: 1] Biophysics and Physiology Lab, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, TX 76019 [2].
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Black
authors.affiliation: Biophysics and Physiology Lab, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, TX 76019.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ordonez
authors.affiliation: 1] Biophysics and Physiology Lab, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, TX 76019 [2].
authors.forename: Argha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mondal
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, TX 76019.
authors.forename: Ankur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.affiliation: Biophysics and Physiology Lab, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, TX 76019.
authors.forename: Samarendra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohanty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006054:Goldfish / Q000502:physiology*; D020439:Growth Cones; D044085:Microfluidics; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction