Electric Field-controlled Directed Migration of Neural Progenitor Cells in 2D and 3D Environments

J. Vis. Exp., 2012 · DOI: 10.3791/3453 · Published: February 16, 2012

Simple Explanation

Endogenous electric fields (EFs) occur naturally in vivo and play a critical role during tissue/organ development and regeneration, including that of the central nervous system. Applied EF treatment can promote functional repair of spinal cord injuries in animals and humans. It is critically essential to evaluate cell behaviours in not only a 2D environment, but also in a 3D organotypic condition which mimicks the in vivo environment.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

E14-16 mice, 2 week old C57 BL/6 mice

Evidence Level

Ex vivo study

Key Findings

1
NPCs showed highly directed cell migration towards the cathode when exposed to a range of physiological EFs.
2
The same observation was also made at a single cell level on the organotypic spinal cord slice ex vivo model, a 3D environment mimicking in vivo conditions
3
Altering EF polarity triggered a sharp reversal of electrotaxis towards the new cathode.

Research Summary

The spinal cordslice is an ideal recipient tissue for studying NPC ex vivo behaviours, post-transplantation, because the cytoarchitectonic tissue organization is well preserved within these cultures This system will allow high-resolution imaging using cover glass-based dishes in tissue or organ culture with 3D tracking of single cell migration in vitro and ex vivo and can be an intermediate step before moving onto in vivo paradigms. We have taken further steps to establish an ex vivo organotypic spinal cord slice culture model, closely mimicking the in vivo environment, demonstrating that cells still possess an electrotactic response in a 3D environment, as shown in Figure 2.

Practical Implications

Understanding Spinal Cord Injury Repair

This research provides insights into how electric fields can be used to promote the repair of spinal cord injuries.

Advancing Cell Migration Studies

The methods described allow for detailed study of cell migration in both 2D and 3D environments, offering a bridge between in vitro and in vivo studies.

Applications in Tissue Engineering

The techniques can be applied to study the effects of electric fields on various cell types in 3D organotypic environments, such as wound healing and angiogenesis.

Study Limitations

1
The in vivo study of the electrotactic response of NPCs at a single cell level would provide pivotal evidence to substantiate any physiological relevance. However, this is technically very difficult to achieve with current technology, especially when trying to obtain real-time cell migration recordings.
2
Reliance on ex vivo models may not fully replicate in vivo conditions.
3
The study focuses on NPCs; results may not be generalizable to all cell types.

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