Modulation of the growth and guidance of rat brain stem neurons using patterned extracellular matrix proteins

Dissociated neuronal cultures on substrates patterned with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins have yielded much information regarding the physiological characteristics of neuronal cells behaviour in vitro. However, neuronal patterning using long term embryonic brain slice cultures has not been comprehensively demonstrated to-date. Structuring was performed by micro contact printing of laminin. The slice cultures were evaluated by means of phase contrast microscopy at 3-22 days in culture. We were able to consistently achieve outgrowth of neurons, neurites and filopodia from brain stem slices cultured on ECM proteins structures of grid- and line-shapes. We believe that brain slice cultures on patterned substrates is a favourable approach to study functional synapses in vitro under defined conditions. The use of appropriate structures and the subsequent cell patterning may help to gain further understanding of axonal, dendritic and synaptic signal transductions and processes.