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Generation of Neurospheres from Mixed Primary Hippocampal and Cortical Neurons Isolated from E14-E16 Sprague Dawley Rat Embryo
Published on: August 31, 2019
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Development of Nanostructured Electrode Interfaces to Direct Neurogenesis in Neurospheres
Sajid Uchayash1, Nesreen Sedeek2, Donald S Sakaguchi2
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 10, 2025
Summary
Electrical stimulation (E-stim) shows promise for neural regeneration. Low voltage (20 mV) biphasic E-stim enhanced neuronal differentiation in adult hippocampal progenitor cells, while higher voltage (40 mV) offered no benefit.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Neurodegenerative diseases cause irreversible neuronal loss, impacting cognition and function.
- Neural stem cells (NSCs) hold therapeutic potential but face challenges in controlled application.
- Electrical stimulation (E-stim) is explored to modulate NSC behavior for regenerative therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of biphasic electrical stimulation on adult hippocampal progenitor cells (AHPCs).
- To assess the influence of different voltages (20 mV and 40 mV) on AHPC differentiation and survival.
- To evaluate the role of gold electrode surface topography (smooth vs. nanopatterned) in combination with E-stim.
Main Methods:
- AHPCs were cultured as neurospheres on smooth and nanopatterned gold electrodes.
- Cells were subjected to biphasic E-stim (1 Hz, 10 min/day) at 20 mV or 40 mV for 5 days.
- Cell viability, neuronal differentiation (TuJ1, MAP2ab), oligodendrocyte (RIP), and astrocyte (GFAP) markers were analyzed.
Main Results:
- High cell viability (>98%) was maintained across all experimental conditions.
- 20 mV E-stim significantly enhanced neuronal differentiation (increased TuJ1 expression).
- 40 mV E-stim showed no significant benefit and sometimes inhibited neurogenesis; unstimulated cells showed more mature neurons (MAP2ab).
- Oligodendrocyte marker RIP was highest on unstimulated nanopatterned surfaces; astrocyte marker GFAP was minimal.
Conclusions:
- Biphasic electrical stimulation, particularly at 20 mV, can promote neuronal differentiation of AHPCs.
- Gold substrates combined with optimized electrical stimulation represent a viable strategy for neural regeneration.
- Further research is needed to refine E-stim parameters for specific neural lineage development.
Keywords:
electrical stimulationnanoelectrodesneurodegenerative diseasesneuromodulationneurospheresneurostimulation chipsstem cellsMore Related Videos
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