We showcase the development of self-assembled, three-dimensional bundles of longitudinally aligned astrocytic somata and processes within a novel biomaterial encasement. These engineered "living scaffolds", exhibiting micron-scale diameter yet extending centimeters in length, may serve as test-beds to study neurodevelopmental mechanisms or facilitate neuroregeneration by directing neuronal migration and/or axonal pathfinding.
Katiyar, K. S., Winter, C. C., Gordián-Vélez, W. J., O'Donnell, J. C., Song, Y. J., Hernandez, N. S., Struzyna, L. A., Cullen, D. K. Three-dimensional Tissue Engineered Aligned Astrocyte Networks to Recapitulate Developmental Mechanisms and Facilitate Nervous System Regeneration. J. Vis. Exp. (131), e55848, doi:10.3791/55848 (2018).