Modelling of Nerve-Muscle Connectivity in a Compartmentalised Tissue Culture Device.

Motor neurons project axons from the hindbrain and spinal cord to muscle, where they induce myofibre contractions through neurotransmitter release at neuromuscular junctions. Studies of neuromuscular junction formation and homeostasis have been largely confined to models. In this study we have merged three powerful tools - pluripotent stem cells, optogenetics and microfabrication - and designed an open microdevice in which motor axons grow from a neural compartment containing embryonic stem cell-derived motor neurons and astrocytes through microchannels to form functional neuromuscular junctions with contractile myofibers in a separate compartment.

Extracellular matrix scaffolding guides lumen elongation by inducing anisotropic intercellular mechanical tension.

The de novo formation of secretory lumens plays an important role during organogenesis. It involves the establishment of a cellular apical pole and the elongation of luminal cavities. The molecular parameters controlling cell polarization have been heavily scrutinized.