In vitro studies of primary explosive blast loading on neurons.
In a military setting, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is frequently caused by blast waves that can trigger a series of neuronal biochemical changes. Although many animal models have been used to study the effects of primary blast waves, elucidating the mechanisms of damage in a whole-animal model is extremely complex. In vitro models of primary blast, which allow for the deconvolution of mechanisms, are relatively scarce. It is largely unknown how structural damage at the cellular level impacts the functional activity at variable time scales after the TBI event. A novel in vitro system was developed to probe the effects of explosive blast (ranging from ∼25 to 40 psi) on dissociated neurons. PC12 neurons were cultured on laminin-coated substrates, submerged underwater, and subjected to single and multiple blasts in a controlled environment. Changes in cell membrane permeability, viability, and cell morphology were evaluated. Significant increases in axonal beading were observed in the injured cells. In addition, although cell death was minimal after a single insult, cell viability decreased significantly following repeated blast exposure.
United States Army Research Laboratory, Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland.
Nicole E
NE
Zander
United States Army Research Laboratory, Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland.
Thuvan
T
Piehler
Department of Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware.
Mary E
ME
Boggs
United States Army Research Laboratory, Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland.
Rohan
R
Banton
United States Army Research Laboratory, Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland.
Richard
R
Benjamin
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000502:physiology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D005107:Explosions; D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000378:metabolism; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016716:PC12 Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
D005452:Fluoresceins; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; C007740:fluorexon
dissociated cultures; explosives; in vitro model; primary blast; traumatic brain injury