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Chouhan D, Gordián Vélez WJ, Struzyna LA, Adewole DO, Cullen ER, Burrell JC, O’Donnell JC, Cullen DK. Generation of contractile forces by three-dimensional bundled axonal tracts in micro-tissue engineered neural networks. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1346696. [PMID: 38590432 PMCID: PMC10999686 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1346696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Axonal extension and retraction are ongoing processes that occur throughout all developmental stages of an organism. The ability of axons to produce mechanical forces internally and respond to externally generated forces is crucial for nervous system development, maintenance, and plasticity. Such axonal mechanobiological phenomena have typically been evaluated in vitro at a single-cell level, but these mechanisms have not been studied when axons are present in a bundled three-dimensional (3D) form like in native tissue. In an attempt to emulate native cortico-cortical interactions under in vitro conditions, we present our approach to utilize previously described micro-tissue engineered neural networks (micro-TENNs). Here, micro-TENNs were comprised of discrete populations of rat cortical neurons that were spanned by 3D bundled axonal tracts and physically integrated with each other. We found that these bundled axonal tracts inherently exhibited an ability to generate contractile forces as the microtissue matured. We therefore utilized this micro-TENN testbed to characterize the intrinsic contractile forces generated by the integrated axonal tracts in the absence of any external force. We found that contractile forces generated by bundled axons were dependent on microtubule stability. Moreover, these intra-axonal contractile forces could simultaneously generate tensile forces to induce so-called axonal "stretch-growth" in different axonal tracts within the same microtissue. The culmination of axonal contraction generally occurred with the fusion of both the neuronal somatic regions along the axonal tracts, therefore perhaps showing the innate tendency of cortical neurons to minimize their wiring distance, a phenomenon also perceived during brain morphogenesis. In future applications, this testbed may be used to investigate mechanisms of neuroanatomical development and those underlying certain neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimple Chouhan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Wisberty J. Gordián Vélez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Laura A. Struzyna
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Dayo O. Adewole
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Erin R. Cullen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Justin C. Burrell
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - John C. O’Donnell
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - D. Kacy Cullen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Acero VP, Das S, Rivellini O, Purvis EM, Adewole DO, Cullen DK. Emergent structural and functional properties of hippocampal multi-cellular aggregates. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1171115. [PMID: 37397454 PMCID: PMC10311220 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1171115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hippocampal neural networks are distinctly capable of integrating multi-modal sensory inputs to drive memory formation. Neuroscientific investigations using simplified in vitro models have greatly relied on planar (2D) neuronal cultures made from dissociated tissue. While these models have served as simple, cost-effective, and high-throughput tools for examining various morphological and electrophysiological characteristics of hippocampal networks, 2D cultures fail to reconstitute critical elements of the brain microenvironment that may be necessary for the emergence of sophisticated integrative network properties. To address this, we utilized a forced aggregation technique to generate high-density (>100,000 cells/mm3) multi-cellular three-dimensional aggregates using rodent embryonic hippocampal tissue. We contrasted the emergent structural and functional properties of aggregated (3D) and dissociated (2D) cultures over 28 days in vitro (DIV). Hippocampal aggregates displayed robust axonal fasciculation across large distances and significant neuronal polarization, i.e., spatial segregation of dendrites and axons, at earlier time points compared to dissociated cultures. Moreover, we found that astrocytes in aggregate cultures self-organized into non-overlapping quasi-domains and developed highly stellate morphologies resembling astrocyte structures in vivo. We maintained cultures on multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) to assess spontaneous electrophysiological activity for up to 28 DIV. We found that 3D networks of aggregated cultures developed highly synchronized networks and with high burstiness by 28 DIV. We also demonstrated that dual-aggregate networks became active by 7 DIV, in contrast to single-aggregate networks which became active and developed synchronous bursting activity with repeating motifs by 14 DIV. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the high-density, multi-cellular, 3D microenvironment of hippocampal aggregates supports the recapitulation of emergent biofidelic morphological and functional properties. Our findings suggest that neural aggregates may be used as segregated, modular building blocks for the development of complex, multi-nodal neural network topologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor P. Acero
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Suradip Das
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Olivia Rivellini
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Erin M. Purvis
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Dayo O. Adewole
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Daniel Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Brant JA, Adewole DO, Vitale F, Cullen DK. Bioengineering applications for hearing restoration: emerging biologically inspired and biointegrated designs. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 72:131-138. [PMID: 34826683 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cochlear implantation has become the standard of care for hearing loss not amenable to amplification by bypassing the structures of the cochlea and stimulating the spiral ganglion neurons directly. Since the first single channel electrodes were implanted, significant advancements have been made: multi-channel arrays are now standard, they are softer to avoid damage to the cochlea and pre-curved to better position the electrode array adjacent to the nerve, and surgical and stimulation techniques have helped to conform to the anatomy and physiology of the cochlea. However, even with these advances the experience does not approach that of normal hearing. In order to make significant advances in performance, the next generation of implants will require novel interface technology. Advances in regenerative techniques, optogenetics, piezoelectric materials, and bioengineered living scaffolds hold the promise for the next generation of implantable hearing devices, and hope for the restoration of natural hearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Brant
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, 240 S. 33rd St., 301 Hayden Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dayo O Adewole
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, 240 S. 33rd St., 301 Hayden Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied, Science, University of Pennsylvania, 220 S 33rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3320 Smith Walk, 105 Hayden Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Neuroengineering & Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Flavia Vitale
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, 240 S. 33rd St., 301 Hayden Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied, Science, University of Pennsylvania, 220 S 33rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Neuroengineering & Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel K Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, 240 S. 33rd St., 301 Hayden Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied, Science, University of Pennsylvania, 220 S 33rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3320 Smith Walk, 105 Hayden Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Neuroengineering & Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Gordián-Vélez WJ, Chouhan D, España RA, Chen HI, Burdick JA, Duda JE, Cullen DK. Restoring lost nigrostriatal fibers in Parkinson's disease based on clinically-inspired design criteria. Brain Res Bull 2021; 175:168-185. [PMID: 34332016 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease affecting around 10 million people worldwide. The death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the axonal fibers that constitute the nigrostriatal pathway leads to a loss of dopamine in the striatum that causes the motor symptoms of this disease. Traditional treatments have focused on reducing symptoms, while therapies with human fetal or stem cell-derived neurons have centered on implanting these cells in the striatum to restore its innervation. An alternative approach is pathway reconstruction, which aims to rebuild the entire structure of neurons and axonal fibers of the nigrostriatal pathway in a way that matches its anatomy and physiology. This type of repair could be more capable of reestablishing the signaling mechanisms that ensure proper dopamine release in the striatum and regulation of other motor circuit regions in the brain. In this manuscript, we conduct a review of the literature related to pathway reconstruction as a treatment for Parkinson's disease, delve into the limitations of these studies, and propose the requisite design criteria to achieve this goal at a human scale. We then present our tissue engineering-based platform to fabricate hydrogel-encased dopaminergic axon tracts in vitro for later implantation into the brain to replace and reconstruct the pathway. These tissue-engineered nigrostriatal pathways (TE-NSPs) can be characterized and optimized for cell number and phenotype, axon growth lengths and rates, and the capacity for synaptic connectivity and dopamine release. We then show original data of advances in creating these constructs matching clinical design criteria using human iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons and a hyaluronic acid hydrogel. We conclude with a discussion of future steps that are needed to further optimize human-scale TE-NSPs and translate them into clinical products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wisberty J Gordián-Vélez
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Dimple Chouhan
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Rodrigo A España
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - H Isaac Chen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jason A Burdick
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - John E Duda
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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5
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Prox J, Seicol B, Qi H, Argall A, Araya N, Behnke N, Guo L. Toward living neuroprosthetics: developing a biological brain pacemaker as a living neuromodulatory implant for improving parkinsonian symptoms. J Neural Eng 2021; 18. [PMID: 34010821 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac02dd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Objective.Therapeutic intervention for Parkinson's disease (PD) via deep brain stimulation (DBS) represents the current paradigm for managing the advanced stages of the disease in patients when treatment with pharmaceuticals becomes inadequate. Although DBS is the prevailing therapy in these cases, the overall effectiveness and reliability of DBS can be diminished over time due to hardware complications and biocompatibility issues with the electronic implants. To achieve a lifetime solution, we envision that the next generation of neural implants will be entirely 'biological' and 'autologous', both physically and functionally. Thus, in this study, we set forth toward developing a biological brain pacemaker for treating PD. Our focus is to investigate engineering strategies for creating a multicellular biological circuit that integrates innate biological design and function while incorporating principles of neuromodulation to create a biological mechanism for delivering high-frequency stimulation with cellular specificity.Approach.We engineer a 3D multicellular circuit design built entirely from biological and biocompatible components using established tissue engineering protocols to demonstrate the feasibility of creating a living neural implant. Furthermore, using 2D co-culture systems, we investigate the physiologically relevant parameters that would be necessary to further develop a therapeutic benefit of high-frequency stimulation with cellular specificity within our construct design.Main results.Our results demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating a 3D multicellular circuit device in an implantable form. Furthermore, we show we can organize cellular materials to create potential functional connections in normal physiological conditions, thus laying down the foundation of designing a high-frequency pacing system for selective and controlled therapeutic neurostimulation.Significance.The findings from this study may lead to the future development of autologous living neural implants that both circumvent the issues inherent in electronic neural implants and form more biocompatible devices with lifelong robustness to repair and restore motor functions, with the ultimate benefit for patients with PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Prox
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Seicol
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Hao Qi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Aaron Argall
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Neway Araya
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Nicholas Behnke
- Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Liang Guo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
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Adewole DO, Struzyna LA, Burrell JC, Harris JP, Nemes AD, Petrov D, Kraft RH, Chen HI, Serruya MD, Wolf JA, Cullen DK. Development of optically controlled "living electrodes" with long-projecting axon tracts for a synaptic brain-machine interface. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eaay5347. [PMID: 33523957 PMCID: PMC10670819 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay5347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
For implantable neural interfaces, functional/clinical outcomes are challenged by limitations in specificity and stability of inorganic microelectrodes. A biological intermediary between microelectrical devices and the brain may improve specificity and longevity through (i) natural synaptic integration with deep neural circuitry, (ii) accessibility on the brain surface, and (iii) optogenetic manipulation for targeted, light-based readout/control. Accordingly, we have developed implantable "living electrodes," living cortical neurons, and axonal tracts protected within soft hydrogel cylinders, for optobiological monitoring/modulation of brain activity. Here, we demonstrate fabrication, rapid axonal outgrowth, reproducible cytoarchitecture, and simultaneous optical stimulation and recording of these tissue engineered constructs in vitro. We also present their transplantation, survival, integration, and optical recording in rat cortex as an in vivo proof of concept for this neural interface paradigm. The creation and characterization of these functional, optically controllable living electrodes are critical steps in developing a new class of optobiological tools for neural interfacing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayo O Adewole
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration, and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neuroengineering and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Laura A Struzyna
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration, and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neuroengineering and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Justin C Burrell
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration, and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - James P Harris
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration, and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ashley D Nemes
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration, and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dmitriy Petrov
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration, and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Reuben H Kraft
- Computational Biomechanics Group, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - H Isaac Chen
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration, and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mijail D Serruya
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration, and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- Neurodelphus LLC, 3401 Grays Ferry Ave., Unit 6176, Philadelphia, PA 19146, USA
- Nuromo LLC, 405 Meadow Lane, Merion Station, PA 19066, USA
| | - John A Wolf
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration, and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration, and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Neuroengineering and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Harris JP, Burrell JC, Struzyna LA, Chen HI, Serruya MD, Wolf JA, Duda JE, Cullen DK. Emerging regenerative medicine and tissue engineering strategies for Parkinson's disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2020; 6:4. [PMID: 31934611 PMCID: PMC6949278 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-019-0105-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disease, affecting 1-2% of people over 65. The classic motor symptoms of PD result from selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), resulting in a loss of their long axonal projections to the striatum. Current treatment strategies such as dopamine replacement and deep brain stimulation (DBS) can only minimize the symptoms of nigrostriatal degeneration, not directly replace the lost pathway. Regenerative medicine-based solutions are being aggressively pursued with the goal of restoring dopamine levels in the striatum, with several emerging techniques attempting to reconstruct the entire nigrostriatal pathway-a key goal to recreate feedback pathways to ensure proper dopamine regulation. Although many pharmacological, genetic, and optogenetic treatments are being developed, this article focuses on the evolution of transplant therapies for the treatment of PD, including fetal grafts, cell-based implants, and more recent tissue-engineered constructs. Attention is given to cell/tissue sources, efficacy to date, and future challenges that must be overcome to enable robust translation into clinical use. Emerging regenerative medicine therapies are being developed using neurons derived from autologous stem cells, enabling the construction of patient-specific constructs tailored to their particular extent of degeneration. In the upcoming era of restorative neurosurgery, such constructs may directly replace SNpc neurons, restore axon-based dopaminergic inputs to the striatum, and ameliorate motor deficits. These solutions may provide a transformative and scalable solution to permanently replace lost neuroanatomy and improve the lives of millions of people afflicted by PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P. Harris
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Justin C. Burrell
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Laura A. Struzyna
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - H. Isaac Chen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Mijail D. Serruya
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - John A. Wolf
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - John E. Duda
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Center (PADRECC), Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - D. Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
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Marinov T, López Sánchez HA, Yuchi L, Adewole DO, Cullen DK, Kraft RH. A computational model of bidirectional axonal growth in micro-tissue engineered neuronal networks (micro-TENNs). In Silico Biol 2020; 14:85-99. [PMID: 32390612 PMCID: PMC7505002 DOI: 10.3233/isb-180172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Micro-Tissue Engineered Neural Networks (Micro-TENNs) are living three-dimensional constructs designed to replicate the neuroanatomy of white matter pathways in the brain and are being developed as implantable micro-tissue for axon tract reconstruction, or as anatomically-relevant in vitro experimental platforms. Micro-TENNs are composed of discrete neuronal aggregates connected by bundles of long-projecting axonal tracts within miniature tubular hydrogels. In order to help design and optimize micro-TENN performance, we have created a new computational model including geometric and functional properties. The model is built upon the three-dimensional diffusion equation and incorporates large-scale uni- and bi-directional growth that simulates realistic neuron morphologies. The model captures unique features of 3D axonal tract development that are not apparent in planar outgrowth and may be insightful for how white matter pathways form during brain development. The processes of axonal outgrowth, branching, turning and aggregation/bundling from each neuron are described through functions built on concentration equations and growth time distributed across the growth segments. Once developed we conducted multiple parametric studies to explore the applicability of the method and conducted preliminary validation via comparisons to experimentally grown micro-TENNs for a range of growth conditions. Using this framework, the model can be applied to study micro-TENN growth processes and functional characteristics using spiking network or compartmental network modeling. This model may be applied to improve our understanding of axonal tract development and functionality, as well as to optimize the fabrication of implantable tissue engineered brain pathways for nervous system reconstruction and/or modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toma Marinov
- Penn State Computational Biomechanics Group, Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Haven A. López Sánchez
- The Laboratory of Physicochemistry and Engineering of Proteins, Department of Biochemistry, Facultad de Medicina, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Liang Yuchi
- Penn State Computational Biomechanics Group, Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Dayo O. Adewole
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - D. Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Reuben H. Kraft
- Penn State Computational Biomechanics Group, Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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Adewole DO, Serruya MD, Wolf JA, Cullen DK. Bioactive Neuroelectronic Interfaces. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:269. [PMID: 30983957 PMCID: PMC6449725 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the neural engineering field, next-generation implantable neuroelectronic interfaces are being developed using biologically-inspired and/or biologically-derived materials to improve upon the stability and functional lifetime of current interfaces. These technologies use biomaterials, bioactive molecules, living cells, or some combination of these, to promote host neuronal survival, reduce the foreign body response, and improve chronic device-tissue integration. This article provides a general overview of the different strategies, milestones, and evolution of bioactive neural interfaces including electrode material properties, biological coatings, and "decoration" with living cells. Another such biohybrid approach developed in our lab uses preformed implantable micro-tissue featuring long-projecting axonal tracts encased within carrier biomaterial micro-columns. These so-called "living electrodes" have been engineered with carefully tailored material, mechanical, and biological properties to enable natural, synaptic based modulation of specific host circuitry while ultimately being under computer control. This article provides an overview of these living electrodes, including design and fabrication, performance attributes, as well as findings to date characterizing in vitro and in vivo functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayo O. Adewole
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mijail D. Serruya
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - John A. Wolf
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - D. Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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