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Astrocytes in Paper Chips and Their Interaction with Hybrid Vesicles
Cathrine Abild Meyer1, Paula De Dios Andres1, Edit Brodszkij1
1Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
Advanced Biology
|November 3, 2022
Summary
Researchers explored how soft material nanoparticles interact with astrocytes, finding no toxicity and successful internalization in both 2D cultures and 3D paper-based chips. This study advances understanding of nanoparticle-astrocyte interactions in novel environments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Astrocytes play a crucial role in brain development and function, yet their interaction with soft material nanoparticles is poorly understood.
- Investigating nanoparticle interactions with astrocytes is vital for developing new therapeutic and diagnostic tools for neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biological interaction of crosslinked hybrid vesicles (HVs) with astrocytes.
- To evaluate the biocompatibility and cellular uptake of HVs in astrocytes cultured in traditional 2D and novel 3D paper-based chip environments.
Main Methods:
- Assembly of hybrid vesicles (HVs) using amphiphilic block copolymer and lipids with crosslinked membranes.
- Culturing of C8-D1A and primary astrocytes in polystyrene tissue culture plates and paper-based chips.
- Assessment of astrocyte toxicity, HV internalization, calcium signaling, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression.
Main Results:
- Hybrid vesicles exhibited no short-term toxicity towards both C8-D1A and primary astrocytes.
- Astrocytes in both 2D cultures and paper-based chips successfully internalized the HVs.
- Astrocytes cultured in paper-based chips maintained mature characteristics, including preserved calcium signaling and GFAP expression.
Conclusions:
- Soft material nanoparticles, specifically HVs, can be safely internalized by astrocytes.
- Paper-based chips provide a viable 3D environment for culturing mature astrocytes and studying nanoparticle interactions.
- This research establishes a foundational understanding of nanoparticle-astrocyte interactions in both conventional and advanced culture systems.
