title: Unidirectional signal propagation in primary neurons micropatterned at a single-cell resolution.
abstract: The structure and connectivity of cultured neuronal networks can be controlled by using micropatterned surfaces. Here, we demonstrate that the direction of signal propagation can be precisely controlled at a single-cell resolution by growing primary neurons on micropatterns. To achieve this, we first examined the process by which axons develop and how synapses form in micropatterned primary neurons using immunocytochemistry. By aligning asymmetric micropatterns with a marginal gap, it was possible to pattern primary neurons with a directed polarization axis at the single-cell level. We then examined how synapses develop on micropatterned hippocampal neurons. Three types of micropatterns with different numbers of short paths for dendrite growth were compared. A normal development in synapse density was observed when micropatterns with three or more short paths were used. Finally, we performed double patch clamp recordings on micropatterned neurons to confirm that these synapses are indeed functional, and that the neuronal signal is transmitted unidirectionally in the intended orientation. This work provides a practical guideline for patterning single neurons to design functional neuronal networksin vitrowith the direction of signal propagation being controlled.
authors.affiliation: Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University , 6-3 Aramaki-aza Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3362-5376
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University , 6-6 Aramaki-aza Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matsumura
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University , 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takaoki
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University , 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katsurabayashi
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University , 6-6 Aramaki-aza Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirano-Iwata
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University , 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niwano