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Zhao W, Cui W, Xu S, Cheong LZ, Wang D, Shen C. Direct study of the electrical properties of PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons by EFM and KPFM. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2019; 1:537-545. [PMID: 36132273 PMCID: PMC9473159 DOI: 10.1039/c8na00202a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Electrical related properties play important roles in biological structures and functions. Herein, the capacitance gradient and local contact potential difference (CPD) of cell bodies and processes of PC12 cells (representative cells of the sympathetic nervous system), hippocampal neurons (representative cells of the central nervous system) and spines were investigated by Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM) and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) at high lateral spatial resolution directly. The results demonstrate that the capacitance gradients of cell bodies, processes and spines of PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons are very close (in the range of 19-23 zF nm-1) and fit well with the theoretical calculation results (21.7 zF nm-1). This indicates that the differences of nerve signal activities and functions of the sympathetic and central nervous systems are not related to the electric polarization properties. The CPD of cell bodies and processes of PC12 cells is smaller than that of hippocampal neurons. The CPD of spines is much more negative than that of the cell bodies and processes. These results reveal that the surface potential is closely related to the neural signal transduction functions, and spines play vital roles in neural signal transmission. This work indicates the similarity (capacitance gradient) and differences (surface potential) of the electrical properties between the sympathetic and central nervous systems for the first time. The methods and results of this work are useful in the further study of the electrical properties in cellular activities and physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weidong Zhao
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1219 Zhongguan Road Ningbo Zhejiang China
| | - Wei Cui
- Ningbo Key Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University Ningbo Zhejiang China
| | - Shujun Xu
- Ningbo Key Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University Ningbo Zhejiang China
| | - Ling-Zhi Cheong
- School of Marine Science, Ningbo University Ningbo 315211 China
| | - Deyu Wang
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1219 Zhongguan Road Ningbo Zhejiang China
| | - Cai Shen
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1219 Zhongguan Road Ningbo Zhejiang China
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2
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Zhao W, Cui W, Xu S, Wang Y, Zhang K, Wang D, Cheong LZ, Besenbacher F, Shen C. Direct investigation of charge transfer in neurons by electrostatic force microscopy. Ultramicroscopy 2018; 196:24-32. [PMID: 30273806 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2018.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Charge transfer plays fundamental roles in information transmission in cells, especially in neurons. To date, direct observation of charge propagation in neurons at nanometer level has not been achieved yet. Herein, a combined charge injection and Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM) detection approach is applied to directly study charge propagation and distribution at nanometer resolution in spines and synapses of hippocampal neurons. Charge density, charge mobility and membrane potential in neural signal transmission process through the spines of axons and dendrites of hippocampal neurons were investigated quantitatively. Postsynaptic densities (PSD) in spines of axons and dendrites were revealed and studied. The methods and results from present work provide insights into physiological activities and processes related with electrical properties in nervous system and other biological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weidong Zhao
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Cui
- Ningbo Key Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shujun Xu
- Ningbo Key Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Ningbo Key Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Ningbo Key Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Deyu Wang
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ling-Zhi Cheong
- School of Marine Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | | | - Cai Shen
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
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Ding XF, Wu Y, Qu WR, Fan M, Zhao YQ. Quinacrine pretreatment reduces microwave-induced neuronal damage by stabilizing the cell membrane. Neural Regen Res 2018; 13:449-455. [PMID: 29623929 PMCID: PMC5900507 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.228727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Quinacrine, widely used to treat parasitic diseases, binds to cell membranes. We previously found that quinacrine pretreatment reduced microwave radiation damage in rat hippocampal neurons, but the molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. Considering the thermal effects of microwave radiation and the protective effects of quinacrine on heat damage in cells, we hypothesized that quinacrine would prevent microwave radiation damage to cells in a mechanism associated with cell membrane stability. To test this, we used retinoic acid to induce PC12 cells to differentiate into neuron-like cells. We then pretreated the neurons with quinacrine (20 and 40 mM) and irradiated them with 50 mW/cm2 microwaves for 3 or 6 hours. Flow cytometry, atomic force microscopy and western blot assays revealed that irradiated cells pretreated with quinacrine showed markedly less apoptosis, necrosis, and membrane damage, and greater expression of heat shock protein 70, than cells exposed to microwave irradiation alone. These results suggest that quinacrine stabilizes the neuronal membrane structure by upregulating the expression of heat shock protein 70, thus reducing neuronal injury caused by microwave radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Feng Ding
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Rui Qu
- Hand & Foot Surgery and Reparative & Reconstructive Surgery Center, Orthopedic Hospital of the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Ming Fan
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Qi Zhao
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Tanaka A, Tanaka R, Kasai N, Tsukada S, Okajima T, Sumitomo K. Time-lapse imaging of morphological changes in a single neuron during the early stages of apoptosis using scanning ion conductance microscopy. J Struct Biol 2015; 191:32-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2015.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Jiang FX, Lin DC, Horkay F, Langrana NA. Probing mechanical adaptation of neurite outgrowth on a hydrogel material using atomic force microscopy. Ann Biomed Eng 2011; 39:706-13. [PMID: 21063777 PMCID: PMC3615638 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-010-0194-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2010] [Accepted: 10/17/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we describe the design and initial results of probing mechanical adaptation of neurite growth of lightly fixed neurons on a hydrogel substrate by using atomic force microscopy (AFM). It has been shown previously that cells are responsive to the physical conditions of their micro-environment, and that certain cells can adjust their own stiffness as part of the adaptation to the substrate. AFM, a powerful tool to probe micro- and nano-scale structures, has been utilized in assessing topography, morphology, and structural change of neuronal cells. We used AFM with a robust force analysis approach in this study to probe the mechanical properties of both neurites and the substrate at close proximity. We first confirmed the robustness and consistency of the approach specific to soft materials by comparing measurements made on the same reference material using different methods. Subsequently, it was found that the primary spinal cord neurons that were lightly fixed exhibited different stiffnesses between the cell body and neurites. Furthermore, in comparison to the rigidity of the substrate, the stiffness of the neurites was lower, whereas that of the neuronal cell body was higher.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Xue Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - David C. Lin
- Section on Tissue Biophysics and Biomimetics, Program in Pediatric Imaging and Tissue Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ferenc Horkay
- Section on Tissue Biophysics and Biomimetics, Program in Pediatric Imaging and Tissue Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Noshir A. Langrana
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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Jung SH, Park D, Park JH, Kim YM, Ha KS. Molecular imaging of membrane proteins and microfilaments using atomic force microscopy. Exp Mol Med 2010; 42:597-605. [PMID: 20689364 PMCID: PMC2947017 DOI: 10.3858/emm.2010.42.9.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an emerging technique for a variety of uses involving the analysis of cells. AFM is widely applied to obtain information about both cellular structural and subcellular events. In particular, a variety of investigations into membrane proteins and microfilaments were performed with AFM. Here, we introduce applications of AFM to molecular imaging of membrane proteins, and various approaches for observation and identification of intracellular microfilaments at the molecular level. These approaches can contribute to many applications of AFM in cell imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Hui Jung
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon 200-701, Korea
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Gao JT, Liu SH, Yan YE, Wu Y, Wu HT, Xing C, Ge XM, Wang H, Zhao YQ, Fan M. Quinacrine protects neuronal cells against heat-induced injury. Cell Biol Int 2009; 33:874-81. [PMID: 19427915 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellbi.2009.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2008] [Revised: 03/18/2009] [Accepted: 04/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The effects of quinacrine (QA) on heat-induced neuronal injury have been explored, with the intention of understanding the mechanisms of QA protection. Primary cultivated striatum neurons from newborn rats were treated with QA 1h before heat treatment at 43 degrees C which lasted for another 1h, and necrosis and apoptosis were detected by Annexin-V-FITC and propidium iodide (PI) double staining. Neuronal apoptosis was determined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) techniques. Cell membrane fluidity, activity of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) and the level of arachidonic acid (AA) were also examined. Membrane surface ultrastructure of striatum neurons was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results showed that heat treatment induced great striatum neurons death, with many dying neurons undergoing necrosis rather than apoptosis. QA alone had little effect on the survival of striatum neurons, while QA pretreatment before heat treatment decreased necrosis. Heat treatment also resulted in decreased membrane fluidity and increased cPLA(2) activity as well as arachidonic acid level; these effects were reversed by QA pretreatment. QA pretreatment also significantly prevented damage to the membrane surface ultrastructure of heat-treated neurons. These results suggest that QA protects striatum neurons against heat-induced neuronal necrosis, and also demonstrate that inhibition of cPLA(2) activity and stabilization of membranes may contribute to protective effect of quinacrine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Tao Gao
- Department of Neurobiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
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Xu ZY, Liu HD, Lau LT, Yingge Z, Zhao R, Tong GL, Chan PH, Yu ACH. Responses of astrocyte to simultaneous glutamate and arachidonic acid treatment. Neurochem Int 2009; 55:143-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2009.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2008] [Revised: 02/17/2009] [Accepted: 02/25/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Development of an artificial neuronal network with post-mitotic rat fetal hippocampal cells by polyethylenimine. Biosens Bioelectron 2007; 23:1221-8. [PMID: 18191562 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2007.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2007] [Revised: 10/15/2007] [Accepted: 11/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The selection of appropriate surface materials that promote cellular adhesion and growth is an important consideration when designing a simplified neuronal network in vitro. In the past, extracellular matrix proteins such as laminin (LN) or positively charged substances such as poly-l-lysine (PLL) have been used. In this study, we examined the ability of another positively charged polymer, polyethyleneimine (PEI), to promote neuronal adhesion, growth and the formation of a functional neuronal network in vitro. PEI, PLL and LN were used to produce grid-shape patterns on glass coverslips by micro-contact printing. Post-mitotic neurons from the rat fetal hippocampus were cultured on the different polymers and the viability and morphology of these neurons under serum-free culture conditions were observed using fluorescent microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We show that neurons cultured on the PEI- and PLL-coated surfaces adhered to and extended neurites along the grid-shape patterns, whereas neurons cultured on the LN-coated coverslips clustered into clumps of cells. In addition, we found that the neurons on the PEI and PLL-coated grids survived for more than 2 weeks in serum-free conditions, whereas most neurons cultured on the LN-coated grids died after 1 week. Using AFM, we observed some neurosynapse-like structures near the neuronal soma on PEI-coated coverslips. These findings indicate that PEI is a suitable surface for establishing a functional neuronal network in vitro.
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Gomez N, Chen S, Schmidt CE. Polarization of hippocampal neurons with competitive surface stimuli: contact guidance cues are preferred over chemical ligands. J R Soc Interface 2007; 4:223-33. [PMID: 17251152 PMCID: PMC2359858 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2006.0171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal behaviour is profoundly influenced by extracellular stimuli in many developmental and regeneration processes. Understanding neuron responses and integration of environmental signals could impact the design of successful therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and nerve injuries. Here, we have investigated the influence of localized extracellular cues on polarization (i.e. axon formation) of hippocampal neurons. Electron-beam lithography, microfabrication techniques and protein immobilization were used to create a unique system that provided simultaneous and independent chemical and physical cues to individual neurons. In particular, we analysed competitive responses between simultaneous stimulation with chemical ligands, including immobilized nerve growth factor and laminin, and contact guidance cues mediated by surface topography (i.e. microchannels). Contact guidance cues were preferred 70% of the time over chemical ligands by neurons extending axons, which suggests a stronger stimulation mechanism triggered by topography. This investigation contributes to the understanding of neuronal behaviour on artificial substrates, which is applicable to the creation of artificial environments for neural engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Gomez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX 78712-1062, USA
| | - Shaochen Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX 78712-1062, USA
- Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX 78712-1062, USA
- Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX 78712-1062, USA
| | - Christine E Schmidt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX 78712-1062, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX 78712-1062, USA
- Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX 78712-1062, USA
- Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX 78712-1062, USA
- Institute of Neuroscience, The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX 78712-1062, USA
- Author for correspondence ()
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Ma J, Cui FZ, Liu BF, Xu QY. Atomic force and confocal microscopy for the study of cortical cells cultured on silicon wafers. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE. MATERIALS IN MEDICINE 2007; 18:851-6. [PMID: 17206523 DOI: 10.1007/s10856-006-0071-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2005] [Accepted: 01/17/2006] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The primary cortical cells were selected as a model to study the adherence and neural network development on chemically roughened silicon substrates without any coatings using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The silicon substrates have a nano-range roughness (RMS) achieved by chemical etching using hydrofluoric (HF) acid. After 7 days of culturing, the neurons were observed to connect together and form dense neural networks. Furthermore, AFM results revealed that some porous structures at a few micrometer range existed between the neuron cells and the silicon substrates. It is suggested that the porous structures are made of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and play an important role in the neuronal adhesion and neurite outgrowth on the inert silicon wafers.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ma
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, PR China
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