Monitoring neural stem cell differentiation using PEDOT–PSS based MEA

BackgroundTransplantation is one potential clinical application of neural stem cells (NSCs). However, it is very difficult to monitor/control NSCs after transplantation and so provide effective treatment. Electrical measurement using a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)–poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT–PSS) modified microelectrode array (MEA) is a biocompatible, non-invasive, non-destructive approach to understanding cell conditions. This property makes continuous monitoring available for the evaluation/assessment of the development of cells such as NSCs.MethodsA PEDOT–PSS modified MEA was used to monitor electrical signals during NSC development in a culture derived from rat embryo striatum in order to understand the NSC differentiation conditions.ResultsElectrical data indicated that NSCs with nerve growth factor (NGF) generate a cultured cortical neuron-like burst pattern while a random noise pattern was measured with epidermal growth factor (EGF) at 4 days in vitro (DIV) and a burst pattern was observed in both cases at 11 DIV indicating the successful monitoring of differentiation differences and developmental changes.ConclusionsThe electrical analysis of cell activity using a PEDOT–PSS modified MEA could indicate neural network formation by differentiated neurons. Changes in NSC differentiation could be monitored.General significanceThe method is based on non-invasive continuous measurement and so could prove a useful tool for the primary/preliminary evaluation of a pharmaceutical analysis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Organic Bioelectronics—Novel Applications in Biomedicine.

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► A PEDOT–PSS modified MEA was used to monitor NSC differentiation.
► NSCs with NGF generate a cultured cortical neuron-like bursting pattern.
► A random noisy pattern was measured only with EGF-PSt at 4 DIV.
► A bursting pattern was observed in both cases (EGF-PSt and NGF) at 11 DIV.
► The successful monitoring of NSC differentiation difference using MEA.