A novel approach to increase glial cell populations in brain microphysiological systems

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biotechnology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Brain microphysiological systems (bMPS) offer advanced models for neurological studies but often lack sufficient glial cell populations.
• Existing bMPS predominantly feature neurons, limiting their ability to fully mimic the brain's cellular complexity and function.
• Accurate representation of glial cells is crucial for studying neurological health and disease.

Approach:

• Developed a chemically defined glial-enriched medium (GEM) to specifically expand astrocytes and oligodendrocytes within bMPS.
• Investigated the impact of GEM on glial cell proliferation, morphology, and neuronal differentiation.
• Utilized diverse methods, including gene expression and electron microscopy, to validate cell populations and model functionality.

Key Points:

• GEM significantly increased astrocyte and oligodendrocyte numbers, with astrocytes exhibiting morphology closer to primary cells.
• GEM-enhanced bMPS maintained neuronal differentiation while promoting neurite outgrowth and cell migration.
• Electrochemical activity and synaptic structures were observed in GEM-treated bMPS, indicating functional complexity.

Conclusions:

• GEM provides an effective method to enrich glial cells in bMPS, creating more in vivo-like models.
• These improved bMPS hold significant potential for advancing neurological disease research and drug discovery.
• The study addresses the need for more representative human brain models for preclinical research.