Successful differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells cultured on electrically adjustable indium tin oxide (ITO) surface.

In order to control differentiation of neural cells and guide the developed neurites to targets, polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films were used because of their capability of modulation of electrical charged characteristics, thickness, and stiffness. In this work, we suggested that indium tin oxide (ITO) is an alternative surface to achieve the above-mentioned objectives. A microfluidic system with four culture chambers was developed and each chamber consisted of parallel ITO surfaces for the application of adjustable electrical field. Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) were respectively cultured on the ITO surfaces with and without PEM film, constructed by alternate adsorption of poly(L-lysine) (PLL) and poly(L-glutamic acid) (PLGA). Analyses of cell morphology, cytotoxicity, process outgrowth, differentiated cell types, and neuron functionality were compared between both surfaces. In this study, NSPCs successfully differentiated on ITO surface with electrical stimulation. The optimal electrical potential was found to be 80 mV that could stimulate the longest process, i.e., >300 μm, after 3 days culture. Cell differentiation, process development, and functionality of differentiated neuron on ITO surface were shown to be strongly controlled by the electrical stimulation that can be simply adjusted by external equipment. The electrically adjustable cell differentiation reported here could potentially be applied to neurochip for the study of neural signal transmission in a well-constructed network.