
In Vitro Modeling of Nerve–Muscle Connectivity in a Compartmentalized Tissue Culture Device
Author(s) -
Machado Carolina Barcellos,
Pluchon Perrine,
Harley Peter,
Rigby Mark,
Sabater Victoria Gonzalez,
Stevenson Danielle C.,
Hynes Stephanie,
Lowe Andrew,
Burrone Juan,
Viasnoff Virgile,
Lieberam Ivo
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced biosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.153
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2366-7478
DOI - 10.1002/adbi.201800307
Subject(s) - neuroscience , neuromuscular junction , motor neuron , biology , myocyte , optogenetics , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , spinal cord
Motor neurons project axons from the hindbrain and spinal cord to muscle, where they induce myofibre contractions through neurotransmitter release at neuromuscular junctions. Studies of neuromuscular junction formation and homeostasis have been largely confined to in vivo models. In this study, three powerful tools have been merged—pluripotent stem cells, optogenetics, and microfabrication—and an open microdevice is designed in which motor axons grow from a neural compartment containing embryonic stem cell‐derived motor neurons and astrocytes through microchannels to form functional neuromuscular junctions with contractile myofibres in a separate compartment. Optogenetic entrainment of motor neurons in this reductionist neuromuscular circuit enhances neuromuscular junction formation more than twofold, mirroring the activity‐dependence of synapse development in vivo. An established motor neuron disease model is incorporated into the system and it is found that coculture of motor neurons with SOD1 G93A astrocytes results in denervation of the central compartment and diminishes myofibre contractions, a phenotype which is rescued by the receptor interacting serine/threonine kinase 1 inhibitor necrostatin. This coculture system replicates key aspects of nerve–muscle connectivity in vivo and represents a rapid and scalable alternative to animal models of neuromuscular function and disease.