A micro-fabricated in vitro complex neuronal circuit platform

Developments in micro-manufacture as well as biofabrication technologies are driving our ability to create complex tissue models such as ‘organ-on-a-chip’ devices. The complexity of neural tissue, however, requires precisely specific cellular connectivity across many neuronal populations, and thus there have been limited reports of complex ‘brain-on-a-chip’ technologies modelling specific cellular circuit function. Here we describe the development of a model of in vitro brain circuitry designed to accurately reproduce part of the complex circuitry involved in neurodegenerative diseases; using segregated co-culture of specific basal ganglia (BG) neuronal subtypes to model central nervous system circuitry. Lithographic methods and chemical modification were used to form structured micro-channels, which were populated by specifically cultured neuronal sub-types to represent parts of the inter-communicating neural circuit. Cell morphological assessment and immunostaining showed connectivity, which was supported by electrophysiology measurements. Electrical activity of cells was measured using patch-clamp, showing voltage dependant Na(+) and K(+) currents, and blocking of Na(+) current by TTX, and calcium imaging showing TTX-sensitive slow Ca(2+) oscillations resulting from action potentials. Monitoring cells across connected ports post-TTX addition demonstrated both upstream and downstream changes in activity, indicating network connectivity. The model developed herein provides a platform technology that could be used to better understand neurological function and dysfunction, contributing to a growing urgency for better treatments of neurodegenerative disease. We anticipate the use of this advancing technology for the assessment of pharmaceutical and cellular therapies as a means of pre-clinical assessment, and further for the advancement of neural engineering approaches for tissue engineering.