A Morphologic Study on Creation of Neural Network of Cultured Striatal Neurons in vitro Using Soft Lithography Techniques*

Abstract

To investigate the attachment and neurite growth of patterned striatal neurons on the surface of polyethyleneimine (PEI) in vitro, by a soft lithography technique. Three different substrates, including Laminin (LN), poly·L-lysine(PLL) and PEI characterized with strong positive surface charges were micro-patterned using soft lithography techniques. Striatal neurons from postnatal rats were cultured in vitro. The condition of cell adhesion, living and the neurite growth of the cultrued neurons on different substrates were observed, and the differences of neural network patterns fabricated on the three substrates were evaluated. The quantity of neuronal growth on the surface of PEI and PLL is apparently larger than that on LN. Moreover, the coated pattern of neurons on the PEI is more integrated than that on the PLL and LN. The PEI characterized with strong positive surface charges is capable of well fabricating more continuous and integrated neural patterns, which is an ideal interfacial surface to realize the artificial neural network in vitro.