Mimicking the Brain Extracellular Matrix in Vitro: A Review of Current Methodologies and Challenges

Rossana Rauti, Noa Renous, Ben M. Maoz*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

The brain's extracellular matrix (ECM), a 3-dimensional macromolecular network that supports cell growth and viability, has crucial roles in homeostasis and disease. Accurate recapitulation of the chemical, structural, and mechanical properties of the ECM in brain cell cultures is essential for the development of translatable in vitro models; however, thus far, this task has proven highly challenging. This review provides an in-depth discussion of this challenge, including an overview of the properties of the ECM that in vitro models should endeavour to capture, a survey of ECM analogues that are currently used for this purpose, and a discussion of the main hindrances to developing more effective ECM-like coating materials.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1141-1151
Number of pages11
JournalIsrael Journal of Chemistry
Volume60
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2020

Funding

FundersFunder number
Azrieli Foundation
Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University

    Keywords

    • Biocompatible materials
    • In vitro neuronal cultures
    • brain extracellular matrix
    • microenvironment
    • perineuronal nets

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