Stem Cell-derived Neuronal Networks Research Articles

Exploring Kainic Acid-Induced Alterations in Circular Tripartite Networks with Advanced Analysis Tools.

Brain activity implies the orchestrated functioning of interconnected brain regions. Typical in vitro models aim to mimic the brain using single human pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal networks. However, the field is constantly evolving to model brain functions more accurately through the use of new paradigms, e.g., brain-on-a-chip models with compartmentalized structures and integrated sensors. These methods create novel data requiring more complex analysis approaches. The previously introduced circular tripartite network concept models the connectivity between spatially diverse neuronal structures. The model consists of a microfluidic device allowing axonal connectivity between separated neuronal networks with an embedded microelectrode array to record both local and global electrophysiological activity patterns in the closed circuitry. The existing tools are suboptimal for the analysis of the data produced with this model. Here, we introduce advanced tools for synchronization and functional connectivity assessment. We used our custom-designed analysis to assess the interrelations between the kainic acid (KA)-exposed proximal compartment and its nonexposed distal neighbors before and after KA. Novel multilevel circuitry bursting patterns were detected and analyzed in parallel with the inter- and intracompartmental functional connectivity. The effect of KA on the proximal compartment was captured, and the spread of this effect to the nonexposed distal compartments was revealed. KA induced divergent changes in bursting behaviors, which may be explained by distinct baseline activity and varied intra- and intercompartmental connectivity strengths. The circular tripartite network concept combined with our developed analysis advances importantly both face and construct validity in modeling human epilepsy in vitro.

Long-term morphological and functional dynamics of human stem cell-derived neuronal networks on high-density micro-electrode arrays.

Comprehensive electrophysiological characterizations of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neuronal networks are essential to determine to what extent these in vitro models recapitulate the functional features of in vivo neuronal circuits. High-density micro-electrode arrays (HD-MEAs) offer non-invasive recording with the best spatial and temporal resolution possible to date. For 3 months, we tracked the morphology and activity features of developing networks derived from a transgenic hiPSC line in which neurogenesis is inducible by neurogenic transcription factor overexpression. Our morphological data revealed large-scale structural changes from homogeneously distributed neurons in the first month to the formation of neuronal clusters over time. This led to a constant shift in position of neuronal cells and clusters on HD-MEAs and corresponding changes in spatial distribution of the network activity maps. Network activity appeared as scarce action potentials (APs), evolved as local bursts with longer duration and changed to network-wide synchronized bursts with higher frequencies but shorter duration over time, resembling the emerging burst features found in the developing human brain. Instantaneous firing rate data indicated that the fraction of fast spiking neurons (150–600 Hz) increases sharply after 63 days post induction (dpi). Inhibition of glutamatergic synapses erased burst features from network activity profiles and confirmed the presence of mature excitatory neurotransmission. The application of GABAergic receptor antagonists profoundly changed the bursting profile of the network at 120 dpi. This indicated a GABAergic switch from excitatory to inhibitory neurotransmission during circuit development and maturation. Our results suggested that an emerging GABAergic system at older culture ages is involved in regulating spontaneous network bursts. In conclusion, our data showed that long-term and continuous microscopy and electrophysiology readouts are crucial for a meaningful characterization of morphological and functional maturation in stem cell-derived human networks. Most importantly, assessing the level and duration of functional maturation is key to subject these human neuronal circuits on HD-MEAs for basic and biomedical applications.

Tracking connectivity maps in human stem cell-derived neuronal networks by holographic optogenetics.

Neuronal networks derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells have been exploited widely for modeling neuronal circuits, neurological diseases, and drug screening. As these networks require extended culturing periods to functionally mature in vitro, most studies are based on immature networks. To obtain insights on long-term functional features, we improved a glia-neuron co-culture protocol within multi-electrode arrays, facilitating continuous assessment of electrical features in weekly intervals. By full-field optogenetic stimulation, we detected an earlier onset of neuronal firing and burst activity compared with spontaneous activity. Full-field stimulation enhanced the number of active neurons and their firing rates. Compared with full-field stimulation, which evoked synchronized activity across all neurons, holographic stimulation of individual neurons resulted in local activity. Single-cell holographic stimulation facilitated to trace propagating evoked activities of 400 individually stimulated neurons per multi-electrode array. Thereby, we revealed precise functional neuronal connectivity motifs. Holographic stimulation data over time showed increasing connection numbers and strength with culture age. This holographic stimulation setup has the potential to establish a profound functional testbed for in-depth analysis of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal networks.

Improvements of spontaneous electrical activities of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal networks, which can serve as an alternative method to study neurotoxic and pharmacological effects in vitro

Improvements of spontaneous electrical activities of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal networks, which can serve as an alternative method to study neurotoxic and pharmacological effects in vitro

Optimised PDMS Tunnel Devices on MEAs Increase the Probability of Detecting Electrical Activity from Human Stem Cell-Derived Neuronal Networks.

Measurement of the activity of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neuronal networks with microelectrode arrays (MEAs) plays an important role in functional in vitro brain modelling and in neurotoxicological screening. The previously reported hPSC-derived neuronal networks do not, however, exhibit repeatable, stable functional network characteristics similar to rodent cortical cultures, making the interpretation of results difficult. In earlier studies, microtunnels have been used both to control and guide cell growth and amplify the axonal signals of rodent neurons. The aim of the current study was to develop tunnel devices that would facilitate signalling and/or signal detection in entire hPSC-derived neuronal networks containing not only axons, but also somata and dendrites. Therefore, MEA-compatible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) tunnel devices with 8 different dimensions were created. The hPSC-derived neurons were cultured in the tunnel devices on MEAs, and the spontaneous electrical activity of the networks was measured for 5 weeks. Although the tunnel devices improved the signal-to-noise ratio only by 1.3-fold at best, they significantly increased the percentage of electrodes detecting neuronal activity (52–100%) compared with the controls (27%). Significantly higher spike and burst counts were also obtained using the tunnel devices. Neuronal networks inside the tunnels were amenable to pharmacological manipulation. The results suggest that tunnel devices encompassing the entire neuronal network can increase the measured spontaneous activity in hPSC-derived neuronal networks on MEAs. Therefore, they can increase the efficiency of functional studies of hPSC-derived networks on MEAs.

A comparison of computational methods for detecting bursts in neuronal spike trains and their application to human stem cell-derived neuronal networks.

Accurate identification of bursting activity is an essential element in the characterization of neuronal network activity. Despite this, no one technique for identifying bursts in spike trains has been widely adopted. Instead, many methods have been developed for the analysis of bursting activity, often on an ad hoc basis. Here we provide an unbiased assessment of the effectiveness of eight of these methods at detecting bursts in a range of spike trains. We suggest a list of features that an ideal burst detection technique should possess and use synthetic data to assess each method in regard to these properties. We further employ each of the methods to reanalyze microelectrode array (MEA) recordings from mouse retinal ganglion cells and examine their coherence with bursts detected by a human observer. We show that several common burst detection techniques perform poorly at analyzing spike trains with a variety of properties. We identify four promising burst detection techniques, which are then applied to MEA recordings of networks of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons and used to describe the ontogeny of bursting activity in these networks over several months of development. We conclude that no current method can provide "perfect" burst detection results across a range of spike trains; however, two burst detection techniques, the MaxInterval and logISI methods, outperform compared with others. We provide recommendations for the robust analysis of bursting activity in experimental recordings using current techniques.

Organic ultra-thin film transistors with a liquid gate for extracellular stimulation and recording of electric activity of stem cell-derived neuronal networks

Electronic transducers of neuronal cellular activity are important devices in neuroscience and neurology. Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) offer tailored surface chemistry, mechanical flexibility, and high sensitivity to electrostatic potential changes at device interfaces. These properties make them attractive for interfacing electronics with neural cells and performing extracellular recordings and stimulation of neuronal network activity. In this work we operate pentacene ultra-thin film (9 nm thick) transistors with a liquid gate both as transducers and electrical stimulators of neuronal network activity. These devices are highly sensitive to small potential changes in cell medium and exhibit sufficient stability under standard cell culture conditions for nine days. We show that murine neural stem cells can be adhered on top of functional devices without the need for an additional layer of cell-adhesive molecules, and then differentiated into neuronal networks. OFET response is monitored during the different phases of the neuronal differentiation process up to nine days. Only when stem cells are differentiated into neurons, it is possible to measure electrical signals in the OFET current following the stimulation. Due to the large sensing area of our device, which accommodates from hundreds to thousands of interconnected neurons, the OFET electrical signals arise from the collective electrophysiological response of the neuronal population. The maximum extracellular potential change in the cleft region adjacent to the transistor surface amounts to 350 μV. This demonstrates that pentacene ultra-thin film OFETs enable good cellular adhesion and efficient coupling of the ionic currents at the biological-organic semiconductor interface with the OFET current.

Network-wide integration of stem cell-derived neurons and mouse cortical neurons using microfabricated co-culture devices

Regeneration of damaged central nervous systems (CNS) is an important topic in neuroscience and neuroengineering. Grafting new neurons derived from pluripotent stem cells into damaged regions can be done to restore functions after injury. Little is known, however, about network-wide interactions between stem-cell-derived neurons and CNS neurons. In this study, we developed a co-culture method of stem cell-derived neuronal networks and CNS networks and observed spontaneous activity in the co-culture samples. By using a microfabricated poly(dimethylsiloxane) device having two culture compartments and 20 connecting microconduits, we are able to compartmentalize P19-derived neurons and mouse cortical neurons and connect them via the microconduits. Furthermore, we combined the co-culture device and a microelectrode array (MEA)-based recording system and recorded spontaneous activity in the co-cultured networks. We found that periodic synchronized bursting spreading over both neuronal networks occurred during the second week in vitro and that P19-derived neurons in the co-cultured networks had different developmental processes compared with those grown in monoculture. These findings suggest that functional interactions form between P19-dervived neurons and mouse cortical neurons and that the co-culture method is useful for exploring the network-wide integrations between stem cell-derived neurons and CNS neurons.

Co-culture Devices for in vitro Monitoring of Neural Transplantation Processes

Transplantation of stem cell-derived neurons into the damaged neuronal tissue is one of the promising methods for the recovery of neuronal functions. However, little is known about the signal transmission between transplanted stem cell-derived neuronal networks and the host brain tissue during recovery. In this study, we developed microelectrode-array (MEA) substrates with multiple micro-chambers for cell cultures. Each micro-chamber consisted of 4 cell-plating spots with interconnecting conduits fabricated by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) lithography. The conduits had the tunneling structures, the height of which was approximately 6 μm, through which only neurites could grow into adjacent cell-plating spots. We cultured mouse cortical neurons in the subset of cell-plating spots, and stem cell-derived neurons were injected into the residual spots 7 days after starting incubation of primary cultures. Intracellular calcium transients as well as electrical activity were detected from both primary cultured-cells. And extracellular electrical activities were recorded from both primary cultured-cells and stem cell-derived neurons in the co-cultures. These results suggested that our MEA-based co-culture system would be a useful tool for in vitro monitoring of transplantation processes of stem cell-derived neurons into host neuronal tissue.

Human embryonic stem cell-derived neuronal cells form spontaneously active neuronal networks in vitro

The production of functional human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived neuronal cells is critical for the application of hESCs in treating neurodegenerative disorders. To study the potential functionality of hESC-derived neurons, we cultured and monitored the development of hESC-derived neuronal networks on microelectrode arrays. Immunocytochemical studies revealed that these networks were positive for the neuronal marker proteins β-tubulin III and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2). The hESC-derived neuronal networks were spontaneously active and exhibited a multitude of electrical impulse firing patterns. Synchronous bursts of electrical activity similar to those reported for hippocampal neurons and rodent embryonic stem cell-derived neuronal networks were recorded from the differentiated cultures until up to 4 months. The dependence of the observed neuronal network activity on sodium ion channels was examined using tetrodotoxin (TTX). Antagonists for the glutamate receptors NMDA [D(−)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid] and AMPA/kainate [6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione], and for GABA A receptors [(−)-bicuculline methiodide] modulated the spontaneous electrical activity, indicating that pharmacologically susceptible neuronal networks with functional synapses had been generated. The findings indicate that hESC-derived neuronal cells can generate spontaneously active networks with synchronous communication in vitro, and are therefore suitable for use in developmental and drug screening studies, as well as for regenerative medicine.

Ensemble Recording of Electrical Activity in Neurons Derived from P19 Embryonal Carcinoma Cells

Regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS) is one of the most important research themes in neuroscience and neuroengineering. It is essential to replenish the lost neurons and to establish appropriate functional neuronal networks using pluripotent stem cells. Little is known, however, about the properties of stem cell-derived neuronal networks, particularly under the differentiation and development processes. In this work, we cultured P19 embryonal carcinoma cells on micro-electrode arrays (MEAs). P19 cells were differentiated into neurons by retinoic acid application and formed densely connected networks. Spontaneous electrical activity was extracellulary recorded through substrate electrodes and analyzed. Synchronized periodic bursts, which were the characteristic features in primary cultured CNS neurons, were observed. Pharmacological studies demonstrated that the glutamatergic excitatory synapses and the GABAergic inhibitory synapses were active in these P19-derived neuronal networks. The results suggested that MEA-based recording was useful for monitoring differentiation processes of stem cells. P19-derived neuronal networks had quite similar network properties to those of primary cultured neurons, and thus provide a novel model system to investigate stem cell-based neuronal regeneration.

Passaged neural stem cell-derived neuronal networks for a portable biosensor

We have previously demonstrated a portable biosensor that utilizes networks of mammalian neurons on microelectrode arrays (MEAs) as the sensing element. These neuronal cultures on MEAs are derived from primary neuronal tissues and are short-lived. In order to extend the shelf life of neuronal networks for use in a fieldable sensor technology, a renewable source of networks is needed. Neural stem and progenitor cells are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into functional neuronal networks. The purpose of this study was to develop a strategy for growing passaged neural stem and progenitor cells on MEAs under controlled conditions to produce differentiated neurons and glia comprising functional neuronal networks. Primary and passaged neuroepithelial stem and progenitor cells dissociated from embryonic day 13 rat cortex were seeded on MEAs and maintained with serum-free medium containing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) combined with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These culture conditions lead to abundant neurons, with astrocytes as supportive cells, forming synaptically linked networks of neurons. Spontaneous action potentials were best recorded from networks derived from primary or passaged progenitor cells 4–5 weeks after initial culture. The passaged progenitor cell-derived networks on MEAs responded to the GABAA antagonist bicuculline, the NMDA glutamate inhibitor APV, and the non-NMDA glutamate antagonist CNQX indicating active synapses were present. Passaged neural stem and progenitor cell-derived networks on MEAs have properties similar to networks derived from primary neuronal cultures and can serve as a renewable supply of sensor elements for detection of environmental threats.