Recording axonal conduction of cultured sensory neurons for the study of myelination process

Abstract

Myelination is essential for cognitive development. However, little is known about the association of myelin-related protein expression with regulation of axonal conduction velocity. The aim of this study is to develop a culture system which evaluates the alteration in axonal conduction velocity during myelination process. As a source of myelinating cells, Schwann cells were cultured and purified. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed the ratio of Schwann cells to all cells was more than 95%. Also, Schwann cell and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron co-culture was maintained for 5 weeks. As a next step, DRG neurons were cultured in a microfabricated device and were electrically stimulated. Evoked responses recorded from multiple electrodes had a constant delay, suggesting that axonal conduction velocity could be evaluated. These results suggest that development of DRG neuron and Schwann cell co-culture on this device would be a useful culture system for evaluating myelin-regulated changes in axonal conduction velocity.