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Optogenetic neuronal stimulation promotes axon outgrowth and myelination of motor neurons in a three‐dimensional motor neuron–Schwann cell coculture model on a microfluidic biochip
Author(s) -
Hyung Sujin,
Lee SeungRyeol,
Kim Yeon Jee,
Bang Seokyoung,
Tahk Dongha,
Park JongChul,
Suh JunKyo Francis,
Jeon Noo Li
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.27083
Subject(s) - remyelination , axon , biochip , neuroscience , optogenetics , motor neuron , schwann cell , myelin , stimulation , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , central nervous system , spinal cord , bioinformatics
Axonal regeneration and remyelination of peripheral motor neurons (MNs) are critical for restoring neuromuscular motor function after injury or peripheral neuropathy. We examined whether optogenetically mediated light stimulation (OMLS) could enhance the axon outgrowth and myelination of MNs using three‐dimensional motor neuron–Schwann cell (MN–SC) coculture on a microfluidic biochip. The biochip was designed to allow SCs to interact with the axons of MNs, while preventing direct contact between SCs and the cell bodies of MNs. Following coculture with SCs on the microfluidic biochip, MNs were transfected with a light‐sensitive channelrhodopsin gene. Transfected MNs subjected to repeated light stimulation (20 Hz, 1 hr) produced significantly longer axons than nontransfected MNs. OMLS of MNs greatly increased the number of myelin basic protein (MBP)‐expressing SCs, promoting the initiation of myelination of MNs. Ultrastructurally, OMLS of MNs markedly enhanced the thickness of the compact myelin sheath around the MN axons such that the average thickness was closer to that of the theoretical estimates in vivo. Thus, the MN–SC coculture model on a microfluidic biochip augmented by OMLS of MNs is a feasible platform for studying the relationship of neuronal activity with regrowth and remyelination.