Abstract
Understanding the complex communication between different cell populations and their interaction with the microenvironment in the central and peripheral nervous systems is fundamental in neuroscience research. Due to the lack of suitable animal models capable of faithfully reproducing the physio-pathological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), the development of appropriate in vitro approaches and tools has become crucial. The rising technology of Organ-on- Chip (OoC) can be useful for a better understanding of NDDs pathogenic mechanisms towards the development of patient-specific treatments. In this research, we develop custom-designed microfluidic devices suitable for culturing up to three cell populations to investigate the interaction between the human iPSC-derived cells of the neuromotor unit (i.e. motoneurons, Schwann cells and muscular cells) in the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The implemented OoC and iPSC technologies allow to study specific pathological mechanisms behind the ALS and represent a robust platform for advanced in vitro drug testing.
Objectives
- Objective 1 - Definition of robust iPSC differentiation protocols toward the main cellular components of neuromotor unit: motoneurons, Schwann cells and muscular cells
- Objective 2 – Development of a physiological and an ALS neuromotor unit on chip (NeurOoC)
- Objective 3 – The NeurOoC as drug testing tool
Collaborators
- Ospedale San Raffale, Milan (Angelo Quattrini, Alessandro Romano)
- MERLN Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands (Lorenzo Moroni)
- Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal (Dora Brites)
- Network 2HE, Center for Human Health and Environment, Lecce (Giorgia Rollo)
Key 5 publications
- 1. A Évora,G Garcia, A Rubi, E De Vitis, AT Matos, AR Vaz, F Gervaso, G Gigli, A Polini, D Brites, “Exosomes enriched in miR-124-3p show therapeutic potential in a new microfluidic triculture model that recapitulates neuron-glia crosstalk in Alzheimer's disease”, Front. Pharmacol., 2025, DOI 10.3389/fphar.2025.1474012.
- 2. E De Vitis, A Stanzione, A Romano, A Quattrini, G Gigli, L Moroni, F Gervaso*, A Polini*, “The Evolution of Technology-Driven In Vitro Models for Neurodegenerative Diseases”, Advanced Science, 11, 2024
- 3. A Bucciarelli, X Paolelli, E De Vitis, N Selicato, F Gervaso*, G Gigli, L Moroni, A Polini*, “VAT photopolymerization 3D printing optimization of high aspect ratio structures for additive manufacturing of chips towards biomedical applications”, Additive Manufacturing, 60, 103200, 2022.13.
- 4. A Stanzione, A Polini*, V La Pesa, A Quattrini, A Romano*, G Gigli, L Moroni, F Gervaso*, “Thermosensitive chitosan-based hydrogels supporting motor neuron-like NSC- 34 cells differentiation”, Biomaterials Science, 9, 7492, 2021
- 5. E De Vitis, V La Pesa, F Gervaso*, A Romano, A Quattrini, G Gigli, L Moroni, A Polini*, “A microfabricated multi‑compartment device for neuron and Schwann cell differentiation”, Scientific Reports, 11, 7019, 2021.
People
- Noemi Corbezzolo
- Daniela Pezzolla
- Alessandro Polini
- Alberto Portone