Deanna M Thompson | Search PubMed

PubMed2004

Dynamic gene expression profiling using a microfabricated living cell array.

We describe the development of a microfluidic platform for continuous monitoring of gene expression in live cells. This optically transparent microfluidic device integrates high-throughput molecular stimulation with nondestructive monitoring of expression events in individual living cells, hence, a living cell array (LCA). Several concentrations of a soluble molecular stimulus are generated in an upstream microfluidic network and used to stimulate downstream reporter cells, each containing a green fluorescence reporter plasmid for a gene of interest. Cellular fluorescence is continuously monitored and quantified to infer the expression dynamics of the gene being studied. We demonstrate this approach by profiling the activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB in HeLa S3 cells in response to varying doses of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha. The LCA platform offers a unique opportunity to simultaneously control dynamic inputs and measure dynamic outputs from adherent mammalian cells in a high-throughput fashion. This approach to profiling expression dynamics, in conjunction with complementary techniques such as DNA microarrays, will help provide a more complete picture of the dynamic cellular response to diverse soluble stimuli.

Gene Expression Profiling↗

PubMed2004

Oriented Schwann cell monolayers for directed neurite outgrowth.

Schwann cells are an important component of the peripheral nervous system and participate in peripheral nerve regeneration. They create a supportive environment for neurite outgrowth by releasing trophic factors and up-regulating permissive molecules on their surface. In addition, Schwann cells are able to self-organize into linear arrays in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a possible role in neurite guidance. Previously, we showed that Schwann cell placement and orientation in subconfluent cultures can be controlled using microlithographically patterned laminin substrates (Thompson, D. M., and H. M. Buettner. Tissue Eng. 7(3):247-266, 2001). In the current study, these substrates were used to create oriented Schwann cell monolayers. Both Schwann cell orientation and coverage were quantified in response to seeding density, culture medium, and micropattern dimensions. In serum-free medium, increasing the seeding density yielded a linear increase in coverage of the substrate area but decreased cell alignment. In an alternate approach, Schwann cells were first seeded in serum-free medium at moderate seeding density, allowed to align, then expanded in serum-containing growth medium. This produced complete coverage without large seeding densities while preserving alignment to the micropattern. Alignment and coverage were unaffected by micropattern dimensions. This work provides a useful methodology for investigating Schwann cell guidance effects on growing neurites.

Animals↗