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May 13-14, 2019 | Prague, Czech Republic
Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry
9th World Congress on
Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences | Volume 9 ISSN: 2249-622X
Membrane-based approaches for creating multifunctional tools for Neuronal
Tissue-Engineering
Sabrina Morelli
National Research Council of Italy, Italy
Current research in neural tissue engineering is focused on
the realization of in vitro advanced devices that enhance
the neuronal growth and differentiation by mimicking
specific features of the in vivo environment. Among the
different devices used in neuroscience, membrane-based
systems are promising approaches for culturing neuronal
cells, offering a homogeneous environment in which
the proper topographical, mechanical and biological
conditions trigger the specific cellular organization. They
offer a broad range of application in developing neuronal
functional analogue or substitutes allowing cutting edge
investigations in neuroscience field. Indeed, they represent
both innovative devices to be used in restoring peripheral
nerve damage by boosting its regeneration and valuable in
vitro platforms for the investigation of new molecules for
neurodegenerative diseases treatments.
Within this scenario, this talkwill discuss themultifunctional
role of biohybrid membrane systems in neuronal tissue
engineering as innovative in vitro platforms with a well-
controlledmicroenvironment, that enhance nervous system
repair by guiding neuronal growth and differentiation. For
the design of an advanced neuronal tissue-engineered
constructs, membrane properties, including morphological,
structural, mechanical, physicochemical, and electrical
properties, are key elements in dictating cellular
behavior and in controlling new tissue formation. An
important challenge in neuronal tissue engineering is the
optimization of the design parameters for the realization
of novel instructive biomaterials able to promote neuronal
outgrowth. To this purpose, different collagen-blend
membranes were realized by combining collagen with
chitosan (CHT) or poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) to
enhance their properties and thus create new biofunctional
materials and permissive environment with great potential
use for neuronal tissue engineering and regeneration.
Collagen blending strongly affected membrane properties.
It improved the surface hydrophilicity of both, pure CHT
and PLGA membranes, reduced the stiffness of CHT
membranes, but it did not modify the good mechanical
properties of PLGA membranes.
Another challenging aspect in the field of neuronal
tissue engineering is to create innovative tools capable
of promoting cellular response in terms of neuronal
orientation that may be used as investigational platforms
for studying neurobiological events and neurodegenerative
disorders. Our strategy was to develop high performing
neuronal membrane bioreactors as a platform for the in
vitro reconstruction of neuronal networks with defined
functional, geometric, and neuroanatomical features.
A novel membrane bioreactor was created to test the
capacity of neuronal cells to react to topographical stimuli
thus guiding their orientation and to provide a 3Dwell-
controlled microenvironment for neuronal outgrowth.
The peculiar component within the device namely the
poly(lactic-L-acid) (PLLA) highly aligned and packed
microtube array membrane, together with the perfusion
system, offers a high grade of fidelity for cell growth and
elongation thus leading cell polarisation and orientation.
PLLA membrane bioreactor offers a continuous perfusion
to the cells with oxygenated medium and removal of
catabolites avoiding profile concentration and shear
stress. It promotes long-term growth and differentiation of
neuronal cells, and guided neurite alignment giving rise to
a 3D neuronal tissue-like construct.
Our studies have provided new insights regarding the
effects of membrane properties on neuronal behavior, and
thus it may help to design and improve novel instructive
biomaterials for neuronal tissue engineering.
Speaker Biography
SabrinaMorelli, Dr. in Animal Biology, is Researcher Scientist at the Institute
on Membrane Technology of the National Research Council of Italy (ITM-
CNR). She has expertise in the field of bioartificial membrane devices,
especially in the realization of advancedmembrane systems for creating 3D
engineered tissues and organs for regenerative medicine, pharmacological
screening, and as investigational platforms for studying physiological
and/or pathological processes. She was scientific responsible for CNR of
a PRIN project granted by Italian Ministry of Education, University and
Research and she is also involved in several international projects, in the
organizing committee of international conferences, in the referee pool of
scientific journals. She is co-author of over 70 peer-review scientific papers
published in international journals, chapters in books and encyclopedia.
e:
Sabrina Morelli, Asian J Biomed Pharmaceut Sci, Volume:9
DOI: 10.4066/2249-622X-C2-020