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Cerutti L, Brofiga M. Unraveling brain diseases: The promise of brain-on-a-chip models. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 405:110105. [PMID: 38460796 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Brain disorders, encompassing a wide spectrum of neurological and psychiatric conditions, present a formidable challenge in modern medicine. Despite decades of research, the intricate complexity of the human brain still eludes comprehensive understanding, impeding the development of effective treatments. Recent advancements in microfluidics and tissue engineering have led to the development of innovative platforms known as "Brain-on-a-Chip" (BoC) i.e., advanced in vitro systems that aim to replicate the microenvironment of the brain with the highest possible fidelity. This technology offers a promising test-bed for studying brain disorders at the cellular and network levels, providing insights into disease mechanisms, drug screening, and, in perspective, the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of the BoC models developed over the years to model and understand the onset and progression of some of the most severe neurological disorders in terms of incidence and debilitation (stroke, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and epilepsy). We also report some of the cutting-edge therapeutic approaches whose effects were evaluated by means of these technologies. Finally, we discuss potential challenges, and future perspectives of the BoC models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Cerutti
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBIRS), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Brofiga
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBIRS), University of Genova, Genova, Italy; ScreenNeuroPharm s.r.l, Sanremo, Italy; Neurofacility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.
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Chen S, Sigdel S, Sawant H, Bihl J, Wang J. Exercise-Intervened Endothelial Progenitor Cell Exosomes Protect N2a Cells by Improving Mitochondrial Function. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1148. [PMID: 38256220 PMCID: PMC10816803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
We have recently demonstrated that exosomal communication between endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and brain endothelial cells is compromised in hypertensive conditions, which might contribute to the poor outcomes of stroke subjects with hypertension. The present study investigated whether exercise intervention can regulate EPC-exosome (EPC-EX) functions in hypertensive conditions. Bone marrow EPCs from sedentary and exercised hypertensive transgenic mice were used for generating EPC-EXs, denoted as R-EPC-EXs and R-EPC-EXET. The exosomal microRNA profile was analyzed, and EX functions were determined in a co-culture system with N2a cells challenged by angiotensin II (Ang II) plus hypoxia. EX-uptake efficiency, cellular survival ability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential, and the expressions of cytochrome c and superoxide-generating enzyme (Nox4) were assessed. We found that (1) exercise intervention improves the uptake efficiency of EPC-EXs by N2a cells. (2) exercise intervention restores miR-27a levels in R-EPC-EXs. (3) R-EPC-EXET improved the survival ability and reduced ROS overproduction in N2a cells challenged with Ang II and hypoxia. (4) R-EPC-EXET improved the mitochondrial membrane potential and decreased cytochrome c and Nox4 levels in Ang II plus hypoxia-injured N2a cells. All these effects were significantly reduced by miR-27a inhibitor. Together, these data have demonstrated that exercise-intervened EPC-EXs improved the mitochondrial function of N2a cells in hypertensive conditions, which might be ascribed to their carried miR-27a.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jinju Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA; (S.C.); (S.S.); (H.S.); (J.B.)
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Reed-McBain CA, Turaga RV, Zima SRT, Abizanda Campo S, Riendeau J, Contreras Guzman E, Juang TD, Juang DS, Hampton DW, Skala MC, Ayuso JM. Microfluidic device with reconfigurable spatial temporal gradients reveals plastic astrocyte response to stroke and reperfusion. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:3945-3960. [PMID: 37448230 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00276d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
As a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, stroke constitutes a significant global health burden. Ischemic stroke accounts for 80% of cases and occurs due to an arterial thrombus, which impedes cerebral blood flow and rapidly leads to cell death. As the most abundant cell type within the central nervous system, astrocytes play a critical role within the injured brain. We developed a novel microphysiological platform that permits the induction of spatiotemporally controlled nutrient gradients, allowing us to study astrocytic response during and after transient nutrient deprivation. Within 24 h of inducing starvation in the platform, nutrient deprivation led to multiple changes in astrocyte response, from metabolic perturbations to gene expression changes, and cell viability. Furthermore, we observed that nutrient restoration did not reverse the functional changes in astrocyte metabolism, which mirrors reperfusion injury observed in vivo. We also identified alterations in numerous glucose metabolism-associated genes, many of which remained upregulated or downregulated even after restoration of the nutrient supply. Together, these findings suggest that astrocyte activation during and after nutrient starvation induces plastic changes that may underpin persistent stroke-induced functional impairment. Overall, our innovative device presents interesting potential to be used in the development of new therapies to improve tissue repair and even cognitive recovery after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Reed-McBain
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1 S Park Street, Madison, WI, 53715, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Engineering Dr, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Rithvik V Turaga
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1 S Park Street, Madison, WI, 53715, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Engineering Dr, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Seth R T Zima
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1 S Park Street, Madison, WI, 53715, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Engineering Dr, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Sara Abizanda Campo
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1 S Park Street, Madison, WI, 53715, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Engineering Dr, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Jeremiah Riendeau
- Morgridge Institute for Research, 330 N Orchard Street, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | | | - Terry D Juang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Engineering Dr, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Duane S Juang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Engineering Dr, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - David W Hampton
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Melissa C Skala
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Engineering Dr, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, 330 N Orchard Street, Madison, WI, 53715, USA
| | - Jose M Ayuso
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1 S Park Street, Madison, WI, 53715, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Engineering Dr, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
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