In vitro comparison of motor and sensory neuron outgrowth in a 3D collagen matrix

TY - JOUR

T1 - In vitro comparison of motor and sensory neuron outgrowth in a 3D collagen matrix

AU - Allodi, Ilary

AU - Guzmán-Lenis, Mónica-Sofía

AU - Hernàndez, Joaquim

AU - Navarro, Xavier

AU - Udina, Esther

N1 - Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

PY - 2011/5/15

Y1 - 2011/5/15

N2 - In this work we set up an in vitro model, based on organotypic cultures of spinal cord slices and dorsal root ganglia explants from P7 rats, embedded in a collagen matrix and cultured under the same conditions. As specific reinnervation of end-organs is still an unresolved issue in peripheral nerve research, we characterized a model that allows us to compare under the same conditions motor and sensory neuron regeneration. RT97 labeling was used to visualize the regenerating neurites that extended in the collagen gel from both motor neurons in the spinal cord slices and sensory neurons in the DRG explants after a few days in vitro. By adding different neurotrophic factors in the collagen matrix, we evaluated the reliability of DRG and spinal cord preparations. Moreover, we also set up a co-culture with dissociated Schwann cells to further mimic the permissive environment of the peripheral nerve. Thus, these in vitro models can be useful tools to investigate mechanisms for the selective regeneration of sensory and motor neurons, which can be translated into in vivo models.

AB - In this work we set up an in vitro model, based on organotypic cultures of spinal cord slices and dorsal root ganglia explants from P7 rats, embedded in a collagen matrix and cultured under the same conditions. As specific reinnervation of end-organs is still an unresolved issue in peripheral nerve research, we characterized a model that allows us to compare under the same conditions motor and sensory neuron regeneration. RT97 labeling was used to visualize the regenerating neurites that extended in the collagen gel from both motor neurons in the spinal cord slices and sensory neurons in the DRG explants after a few days in vitro. By adding different neurotrophic factors in the collagen matrix, we evaluated the reliability of DRG and spinal cord preparations. Moreover, we also set up a co-culture with dissociated Schwann cells to further mimic the permissive environment of the peripheral nerve. Thus, these in vitro models can be useful tools to investigate mechanisms for the selective regeneration of sensory and motor neurons, which can be translated into in vivo models.

KW - Animals

KW - Animals, Newborn

KW - Cells, Cultured

KW - Coculture Techniques/methods

KW - Collagen/metabolism

KW - Extracellular Matrix/physiology

KW - Ganglia, Spinal/cytology

KW - Humans

KW - In Situ Nick-End Labeling/methods

KW - Motor Neurons/cytology

KW - Nerve Growth Factors/pharmacology

KW - Neurites/drug effects

KW - Organ Culture Techniques

KW - Rats

KW - Rats, Sprague-Dawley

KW - Schwann Cells/physiology

KW - Sensory Receptor Cells/cytology

KW - Spinal Cord/cytology

KW - Time Factors

U2 - 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2011.03.006

DO - 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2011.03.006

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 21402104

SN - 0165-0270

VL - 198

SP - 53

EP - 61

JO - Journal of Neuroscience Methods

JF - Journal of Neuroscience Methods

IS - 1

ER -