Neuron and astrocyte aggregation and sorting in three-dimensional neuronal constructs

Abstract

Hasan and Berdichevsky report the use of 3D neuronal-astrocyte co-cultures in PDMS confinement to enable the study of aggregation, migration, contractility, and sorting of these cells. They show that aggregation is a neuron mediated process, and formation of astrocyte-rich sheaths in 3D cultures depends on differential attraction between neurons and astrocytes, highlighting the use of this model in future design of neuronal constructs.