"Studies on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease have made significant progress using inexpensive 'Ring-Implants'"
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the Laboratory of Psychiatry and Experimental Alzheimer's Research, Medical University of Innsbruck, have created a cost-effective and user-friendly model for studying living brain cells in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This model, centred around novel "ring-inserts", is set to transform brain research and treatment development.
The "ring-insert" system offers a versatile platform for drug testing, live-cell microscopy, and disease research. Researchers have found the "ring-inserts" particularly ideal for live-cell imaging, allowing them to observe individual neurons and their growing nerve fibers over time.
To create this innovative model, the team used microcontact printing (μCP) to guide the growth of new nerve fibres on the "ring-inserts". Nerve growth factor (NGF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) were microcontact printed onto the "ring-inserts" to promote the development of cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons, respectively.
Organotypic brain slice cultures, 150 μm-thick sections of brain tissue taken from young mice, are used in the model. From a single mouse brain, around 50-100 slices can be obtained, significantly reducing the number of animals required.
The growth of cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons was visualized along the tracks using the "ring-inserts". Both types of neurons were successfully cultured on the "ring-inserts" and survived for two weeks.
The technology's potential extends beyond neuroscience and disease modeling. It could potentially be adapted for use with adult brain tissue or human samples obtained from surgical procedures. Moreover, the "ring-inserts" can be combined with drug testing, genetic engineering, viral delivery, or high-resolution imaging techniques.
The "ring-inserts" can also be modified to support more complex co-culture systems, such as combining brain slices with blood vessel cells to simulate the blood-brain barrier. This advancement could lead to a better understanding of these diseases and the development of more effective treatments.
To ensure the model's accuracy, the research team used advanced methods like cryo-electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics to create detailed models of protein fibrils involved in these diseases.
The "ring-inserts" cost approximately €2-€3 each, making them up to ten times more affordable than standard commercial inserts. This affordability, combined with its versatility, makes the "ring-insert" model an attractive option for researchers worldwide.
Finally, the researchers used calcium imaging to test the functional activity of the neurons, observing clear flashes of fluorescence after applying a chemical trigger. This finding indicates that the neurons are not only surviving but also functioning properly in the "ring-insert" model.
In conclusion, the new "ring-insert" model offers a significant leap forward in neuroscience, disease modeling, and drug development. By enabling long-term, real-time observation of living brain cells in an affordable and flexible setup, this model has the potential to transform brain research and treatment development while reducing animal experiments.
