髄鞘化に伴う神経系発達の評価に向けた培養後根神経節細胞の活動伝搬計測

抄録

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.