Journal: Bioactive Materials
Article Title: Bioengineering an improved three-dimensional vascularized co-culture model for studying Neuron–Microglia interactions
doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2025.09.008
Figure Lengend Snippet: Enhanced neuronal differentiation and vascular-neuronal interactions in oriented donut-shaped SF scaffolds via hiNSCs and hVOs co-culture. (A) Immunofluorescence staining showing intermingled TUJ1-positive neurons (red) and CD31-positive hVOs (green) within the hydrogel-based co-culture. Scale bar, 100 μm. (B) Semi-quantitative analysis showing increased number and length of neuronal protrusions in the co-culture group compared to the mono-culture group (n = 7 and n = 4). (C) Pattern diagram showing the construction of a hiNSCs–hVOs co-culture model on a SF scaffold. (D) Representative immunofluorescence image showing increased neurite outgrowth in hiNSCs after co-culture with hVOs. Scale bar, 200 μm. (E) Spatial overlap of CD31-positive hVOs and TUJ1-positive neurons within the scaffold, with hVOs-derived structures extending outward from the central region along radial pores. Scale bar, 100 μm. (F) RT-qPCR analysis showing upregulated expression of NFAT , GAP-43 , and CREST genes in the co-culture group compared to the mono-culture group (n = 3). (G–H) Representative Western blot images and quantification showing increased expression of BDNF and PSD95 proteins in the co-culture group (n = 3). ∗P<0.05, ∗∗P<0.01, ∗∗∗P<0.001 .
Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were applied overnight at 4 °C: Rabbit anti-human CD11b (1:200, Wanleibio, Shengyang, China), Rabbit anti-human CD163 (1:200, Wanleibio), Alexa Fluor® 647 mouse anti-human TUJ1 (1:200, BD biosciences, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA), Alexa Fluor® 647 mouse anti-human CD31 (1:200, BD biosciences), Rabbit anti-human CD31 (1:200, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA), and Rabbit anti-human PDGF Receptor β (1:100, CST, Danvers, MA, USA), Rabbit anti-human αSMA (1:200, Abcam), Rabbit anti-human COL4 (1:200, Proteintech), Rabbit anti-human BDNF (1:100, Abcam, Cambridge, UK), Rabbit anti-human PSD95 (1:100, Proteintech), Mouse anti-human IBA1 (1:200, Abcam).
Techniques: Co-Culture Assay, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Derivative Assay, Quantitative RT-PCR, Expressing, Western Blot