Spinal Cord Neuronal Network Formation in a 3D Printed Reinforced Matrix—A Model System to Study Disease Mechanisms

3D cell cultures allow a better mimicry of the biological and mechanical environment cells in vivo compared to 2D cultures. However, have been challenging for ultrasoft tissues such as brain. The present study uses microfiber reinforcement approach combining mouse primary spinal cord neurons Matrigel with melt electrowritten (MEW) frames. Within these constructs, neuronal network development is followed 21 days vitro. To evaluate maturation inhibitory glycinergic synapses analyzed using protein expression, complex properties by assessing nonlinearity, conditioning, stress relaxation, calcium imaging readouts. Following adaptation matrix-frame, mature synapse formation faster than demonstrated steep increase glycine receptor expression between 3 10. pattern marker proteins at resemble situation native tissue. Moreover, networks exhibit intensive activity after 14 culture. culture model matrix reinforced MEW fibers provides promising tool understand biomechanical mechanisms health disease.