Engineered 3D-printed artificial axons
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s41598-017-18744-6.pdf
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Author(s)
Homan, Kimberly A.
Espinosa Hoyos, Daniela
Jagielska, Anna
Du, Huifeng
Busbee, Travis Alexander
Anderson, Daniel Griffith
Fang, Xuanlai
Lewis, Jennifer A.
Van Vliet, Krystyn J
Date Issued
January 2018
Journal
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Springer Nature
Citation
Espinosa-Hoyos, Daniela, Anna Jagielska, Kimberly A. Homan, Huifeng Du, Travis Busbee, Daniel G. Anderson, Nicholas X. Fang, Jennifer A. Lewis, and Krystyn J. Van Vliet. “Engineered 3D-Printed Artificial Axons.” Scientific Reports 8, no. 1 (January 11, 2018).
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Myelination is critical for transduction of neuronal signals, neuron survival and normal function of the nervous system. Myelin disorders account for many debilitating neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and leukodystrophies. The lack of experimental models and tools to observe and manipulate this process in vitro has constrained progress in understanding and promoting myelination, and ultimately developing effective remyelination therapies. To address this problem, we developed synthetic mimics of neuronal axons, representing key geometric, mechanical, and surface chemistry components of biological axons. These artificial axons exhibit low mechanical stiffness approaching that of a human axon, over unsupported spans that facilitate engagement and wrapping by glial cells, to enable study of myelination in environments reflecting mechanical cues that neurons present in vivo. Our 3D printing approach provides the capacity to vary independently the complex features of the artificial axons that can reflect specific states of development, disease, or injury. Here, we demonstrate that oligodendrocytes' production and wrapping of myelin depend on artificial axon stiffness, diameter, and ligand coating. This biofidelic platform provides direct visualization and quantification of myelin formation and myelinating cells' response to both physical cues and pharmacological agents.
MIT Department
Harvard University--MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Biological Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Chemical Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT
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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-017-18744-6
