New Paper: 3D culture system models inhibitory interfaces in the damaged nervous system

Our new Tissue Engineering paper “Engineering an integrated cellular interface in 3-dimensional hydrogel cultures permits monitoring of reciprocal astrocyte and neuronal responses” describes a novel cell culture system that recreates key cellular features of the injured spinal cord. Following CNS trauma, astrocytes become reactive and a microenvironment develops that inhibits neuronal regeneration. Our new model mimics that process by arranging astrocytes and neurons in adjacent parts of an integrated 3D matrix. The astrocytes become reactive and form an inhibitory interface through which the neurons are unable to penetrate, simulating the cellular interactions that occur in damaged CNS tissue.

This highly reproducible approach allows us to monitor both cell types continuously and we can carefully control variables to allow specific hypotheses to be tested without the additional complexity present in an animal model. This new platform technology will be useful in basic neuroscience research as well as in the development of new therapies.