Spatially controlled co-culture of neurons and glial cells

The ability to create and maintain neuron and glial cell co-cultures is important for neuronal regeneration as well as for fundamental studies on neuron and glial cell interactions. We demonstrate here a method for spatially controlling the arrangement of neurons and glial cells. Line patterns of cell resistant, poly(oligoethyleneglycol methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid), was microcontact printed on various substrates to spatially control the attachment of neurons. Neuron-like cells, PC12 and SH-SY5Y cells, were confined within the unprinted line patterns and extended neurites along the line patterns. Subsequent attachment of glial cells was accomplished by converting the originally cell-resistant line patterns of poly(oligoethyleneglycol methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) to cell adhesive by electrostatic adsorption of cationic poly-lysine, chitosan, or poly(ethyleneimine). This method for creating patterned co-cultures of neuron and glial cells provides a useful tool for investigating neuron-glial cell interactions and has potential applications in the repair or regeneration of nervous systems.