Basic NeuroscienceMicrofluidic primary culture model of the lower motor neuron-neuromuscular junction circuit

- Motor neurons grow in a novel compartmented neuromuscular junction circuit model.
- Cultured motor neurons recapitulate in vivo organisation.
- Motor neuron cell bodies develop within a spinal-cord environment with glia.
- Motor neuron axons extend towards skeletal muscle to form synapses.
- Spinal cord and muscle environments physically and fluidically isolated.

Modelling the complex process of neuromuscular signalling is key to understanding not only normal circuit function but also importantly the mechanisms underpinning a range of degenerative diseases. We describe a novel in vitro model of the lower motor neuron-neuromuscular junction circuit, incorporating primary spinal motor neurons, supporting glia and skeletal muscle. This culture model is designed to spatially mimic the unique anatomical and cellular interactions of this circuit in compartmented microfluidic devices, such that the glial cells are located with motor neuron cell bodies in the cell body chamber and motor neuron axons extend to a distal chamber containing skeletal muscle cells whilst simultaneously allowing targeted intervention. This model is suitable for use in conjunction with a range of downstream experimental approaches and could also be modified to utilise other cellular sources including appropriate immortal cell lines, cells derived from transgenic models of disease and also patient derived stem cells.