Anisotropically organized three-dimensional culture platform for reconstruction of a hippocampal neural network

So Hyun Kim, Sun-Kyoung Im, Soo-Jin Oh, Sohyeon Jeong, Eui-Sung Yoon, C. Justin Lee, Nakwon Choi () and Eun-Mi Hur ()
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So Hyun Kim: Center for BioMicrosystems, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
Sun-Kyoung Im: Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
Soo-Jin Oh: Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
Sohyeon Jeong: Center for BioMicrosystems, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
Eui-Sung Yoon: Center for BioMicrosystems, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
C. Justin Lee: Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
Nakwon Choi: Center for BioMicrosystems, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
Eun-Mi Hur: Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract In native tissues, cellular and acellular components are anisotropically organized and often aligned in specific directions, providing structural and mechanical properties for actuating biological functions. Thus, engineering alignment not only allows for emulation of native tissue structures but might also enable implementation of specific functionalities. However, achieving desired alignment is challenging, especially in three-dimensional constructs. By exploiting the elastomeric property of polydimethylsiloxane and fibrillogenesis kinetics of collagen, here we introduce a simple yet effective method to assemble and align fibrous structures in a multi-modular three-dimensional conglomerate. Applying this method, we have reconstructed the CA3–CA1 hippocampal neural circuit three-dimensionally in a monolithic gel, in which CA3 neurons extend parallel axons to and synapse with CA1 neurons. Furthermore, we show that alignment of the fibrous scaffold facilitates the establishment of functional connectivity. This method can be applied for reconstructing other neural circuits or tissue units where anisotropic organization in a multi-modular structure is desired.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14346

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