Glial Interfaces: Advanced Materials and Devices to Uncover the Role of Astroglial Cells in Brain Function and Dysfunction

Abstract

Research over the past four decades has highlighted the importance of certain brain cells, called glial cells, and has moved the neurocentric vision of structure, function, and pathology of the nervous system toward a more holistic perspective. In this view, the demand for technologies that are able to target and both selectively monitor and control glial cells is emerging as a challenge across neuroscience, engineering, chemistry, and material science. Frequently neglected or marginally considered as a barrier to be overcome between neural implants and neuronal targets, glial cells, and in particular astrocytes, are increasingly considered as active players in determining the outcomes of device implantation. This review provides a concise overview not only of the previously established but also of the emerging physiological and pathological roles of astrocytes. It also critically discusses the most recent advances in biomaterial interfaces and devices that interact with glial cells and thus have enabled scientists to reach unprecedented insights into the role of astroglial cells in brain function and dysfunction. This work proposes glial interfaces and glial engineering as multidisciplinary fields that have the potential to enable significant advancement of knowledge surrounding cognitive function and acute and chronic neuropathologies.

Biosensing surfaces and therapeutic biomaterials for the central nervous system in COVID-19

“…Engineering in vitro tissue models, for example, using hPSC-derived neural organoids (hNOs), is necessary to realize the effect of small molecules, drugs, and vaccines on the neuropathogenesis of COVID-19 [154]. Also, glial interfaces might enlighten us on precisely how COVID-19 behaves in the brain for the purpose of predicting its behavior in reality [155,156].…”

Polyaniline nano-needles into electrospun bio active fibres support in vitro astrocyte response

“…Astrocyte adhesion, growth and morphology can be altered or even driven by interactions with nanomaterials. 18,20,26,27,35,36 With respect to electrospun nanobres, previous data indicated that the topography is the major supercial clue driving adhesion and growth of astrocytes. 25 Accordingly, in the present work, the aligned nanobres display the best performance in terms of viability and growth of primary astrocytes over time.…”

“…It has been widely demonstrated that changes in the functional properties of primary astrocytes can occur when these cells are grown on a nanostructured surface or on biocomposites with different compositions. 18,20,26,35,37 Recent and growing literature also describes that every cell type, including stem cells and glial cells, can sense the extracellular environment and change their electrical properties accordingly. 38 However, changes in the electrical properties of astrocytes can be observed during gliotic reactions occurring in response to biomaterial implants.…”

“…17 It is worth noting that the inammatory response to brain and nerve implants is mainly driven by alteration in glial cells and in particular to astrogliosis reactions, which cause dramatic changes in astrocyte morphology, increased expression of glial brillar acid protein (GFAP) and loss of or alteration in the expression and function of ion channels. [16][17][18] Despite their inability to generate action potential, astrocytes can respond to electrical, mechanical and topographical stimuli provided by nanostructured material interfaces and devices. [18][19][20] However, nanostructured devices based on conductive substrates enable the recording of bioelectrical signals from primary differentiated astrocytes at a precise slow frequency.…”

“…[16][17][18] Despite their inability to generate action potential, astrocytes can respond to electrical, mechanical and topographical stimuli provided by nanostructured material interfaces and devices. [18][19][20] However, nanostructured devices based on conductive substrates enable the recording of bioelectrical signals from primary differentiated astrocytes at a precise slow frequency. This evidence highlights the possibility and the need to generate glial interfaces that target structural and bioelectrical properties of astrocytes to induce signal promoting/supporting of neuroregenerative processes 19 or functional recovery of neurons.…”