Neurosecretory cell-based biosensor: Monitoring secretion of adrenal chromaffin cells by local extracellular acidification using light-addressable potentiometric sensor

Vesicular exocytosis plays an important role in many physiological processes. The dense-core vesicles release of chromaffin cells is a suitable model for the presynaptic process in neurosecretory cells. In this study, light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) was introduced as a label-free recording method for vesicle release by the local extracellular acidification. The chromaffin cells are directly cultured on the sensor surface. After cells and LAPS hybrid system is established, the events of vesicular exocytosis are recorded. Protons stored in the vesicles and co-released with transmitters, induced a brief acidic shifts in the cell-sensor cleft. Under the stimulation of the KCl and acetylcholine (Ach), the signals presented the different amplitude and exocytosis rate, and reflected the specific features of the exocytosis. The result indicates that neurosecretory cell-based biosensor will provide a useful platform for neurosecretion mechanism research by monitoring the exocytotic activities with extracellular acidification sensing.

► Light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) used as a recording method for vesicle release.
► The extruded matrix of vesicles release protons lowered the extracellular pH on sensor.
► LAPS with Chromaffin cell is a kind of neurosecretory cell-based biosensor.
► The sensor will provide a useful platform for neurosecretion mechanism research.