Premium
Astrocyte‐Encapsulated Hydrogel Microfibers Enhance Neuronal Circuit Generation
Author(s) -
Kim Beom Jin,
Choi Ji Yu,
Choi Hyunwoo,
Han Sol,
Seo Jeongyeon,
Kim Jungnam,
Joo Sunghoon,
Kim Hyo Min,
Oh Chungik,
Hong Seungbum,
Kim Pilnam,
Choi Insung S.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced healthcare materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.288
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 2192-2659
pISSN - 2192-2640
DOI - 10.1002/adhm.201901072
Subject(s) - astrocyte , neurite , microfiber , neuroscience , neuroprotection , neuron , scaffold , materials science , chemistry , biomedical engineering , biology , central nervous system , medicine , in vitro , biochemistry , composite material
Abstract Astrocytes, the most representative glial cells in the brain, play a multitude of crucial functions for proper neuronal development and synaptic‐network formation, including neuroprotection as well as physical and chemical support. However, little attention has been paid, in the neuroregenerative medicine and related fields, to the cytoprotective incorporation of astrocytes into neuron‐culture scaffolds and full‐fledged functional utilization of encapsulated astrocytes for controlled neuronal development. In this article, a 3D neurosupportive culture system for enhanced induction of neuronal circuit generation is reported, where astrocytes are confined in hydrogel microfibers and protected from the outside. The astrocyte‐encapsulated microfibers significantly accelerate the neurite outgrowth and guide its directionality, and enhance the synaptic formation, without any physical contact with the neurons. This astrocyte‐laden system provides a pivotal culture scaffold for advanced development of cell‐based therapeutics for neural injuries, such as spinal cord injury.