Use of microfluidic technology to monitor the differentiation and migration of human ESC-derived neural cells

Abstract

Microfluidics forms the basis of unique experimental approaches that visualize the development of neural structure using micro-scale devices and aids the guidance of neurite growth in an axonal isolation compartment. We utilized microfluidics technology to monitor the differentiation and migration of neural cells derived from human embryonic stems cells (hESC). We cocultured hESC with PA6 stromal cells and isolated neural rosette-like structures, which subsequently formed neurospheres in a suspension culture. We found that Tuj1-positive neural cells but not nestin-positive neural precursor cells (NPC) were able to enter the microfluidics grooves (microchannels), suggesting a neural cell-migratory capacity that was dependent on neuronal differentiation. We also showed that bundles of axons formed and extended into the microchannels. Taken together, these results demonstrated that microfluidics technology can provide useful tools to study neurite outgrowth and axon guidance of neural cells, which are derived from human embryonic stem cells.