Coupling regional brain tissues with tissue chips

项目摘要 下丘脑是神经内分泌系统的主要调节器，它与多个大脑突触连接 区域和协调身体的生理功能。大细胞神经元（MCN）是关键 催产素和加压素的生产者，他们调节神经内分泌功能和差异分泌 催产素进入大脑，脑脊液和循环系统。MCN如何区别 调节催产素的释放仍然没有解决。催产素参与并作为一种候选治疗方法进行研究 治疗精神和代谢疾病，如自闭症、抑郁症和创伤后应激障碍。 器官和组织的微型模型是弥合器官和组织之间差距的不可或缺的工具。 临床前动物模型和临床试验。人类和动物微流控组织芯片提供了 在解剖学和技术障碍阻止体内细胞和组织的情况下， 问题研究我们将创建一个基于微流体的脑组织芯片，用于耦合脑切片和主要的 从大脑的至少两个区域的神经球。表面图案的引导线索将用于指导 催产素能大细胞神经元的轴突向靶脑组织的生长。我们的微流体 该系统将允许大脑到突触的连接，以直接观察纳米级的催产素 囊泡，以实现不同药物如何影响催产素的位置和动力学的详细研究 囊泡释放。更普遍地说，我们的脑-脑组织培养系统的潜在应用可能 包括在体外连接多个大脑区域以利于免疫调节研究的能力， 神经内分泌调节研究，神经发生和迁移研究，以及药物如何影响分子 和细胞动力学。

Project Summary The hypothalamus is the master regulator of the neuroendocrine system, it synapses to multiple brain regions and coordinates physiological functions of the body. Magnocellular neurons (MCN) are key producers of oxytocin and vasopressin, they regulate neuroendocrine functions and differentially secrete oxytocin into the brain, the cerebrospinal fluid, and the circulatory system. How MCN differentially regulate oxytocin release remains unresolved. Oxytocin is involved in and studied as a candidate treatment for psychiatric and metabolic conditions such as autism, depression, and post-traumatic stress. Miniaturized models of organs and tissues are indispensable tools for bridging the gap between preclinical animal models and clinical trials. Human and animal microfluidic tissue-chips provide unparalleled control and access to cells and tissues where anatomical and technical barriers preclude in vivo studies. We will create a microfluidic-based brain tissue chip for coupling brain slices and primary neurospheres from at least two regions of the brain. Surface-patterned guidance cues will be used to direct the growth of axons from oxytocinergic magnocellular neurons toward target brain tissues. Our microfluidic system will allow for brain-to-synapse connections for the direct observation of nano-scale oxytocin vesicles to achieve detailed studies of how different drugs influence the locations and dynamics of oxytocin vesicle release. More generally, potential applications of our brain-to-brain tissue culture system could include the ability to connect multiple brain regions in vitro for the benefit of immune regulation studies, neuroendocrine regulation studies, neurogenesis and migration studies, and how drugs influence molecular and cellular dynamics.