论文标题：Microfabricated intracortical extracellular matrix-microelectrodes for improving neural interfaces

期刊：Microsystems & Nanoengineering

作者：Wen Shen, Suradip Das, Flavia Vitale, Andrew Richardson, Akshay Ananthakrishnan, Laura A. Struzyna, Daniel P. Brown, Naixin Song, Murari Ramkumar, Timothy Lucas, D. Kacy Cullen, Brian Litt, Mark G. Allen

发表时间：2018/09/24

数字识别码： 10.1038/s41378-018-0030-5

原文链接：https://www.nature.com/articles/s41378-018-0030-5?utm_source=other_website&utm_

medium=display&utm_content=mpu&utm_campaign=JRCN_2_JG_Micronano_sciencenet

微信链接：https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/hsMPr_j0ZKI8SV1rrxtClA

图1

宾夕法尼亚大学Mark Allen研究组成果：

研究发现，由细胞外基质蛋白组成的神经微电极能够形成具有生物兼容性的界面，从而减少生物体的炎症反应，并能够让密集的神经元表面活动。神经科学研究很多时候需要电极与神经微电路的直接接口，但是接口部分有时候会产生炎症反应。目前，宾夕法尼亚大学Mark Allen研究组在电极和生物体之间的界面上使用细胞外基质蛋白，通过微成型和转移以及微加工工艺来制造。他们通过对大鼠皮层区域的活体研究，发现电极的蛋白质包封对阻抗测量没有负面影响，并且可以在电极表面上放置致密的神经元胞体和中性粒子层。这种方法减少了神经炎症，加大了在临床情况下应用这些电极的可能性。

图2

Neural microelectrodes composed of extracellular matrix proteins enable biocompatible interfaces that reduce inflammatory reactions, and allow dense neuronal surface activity. Neuroscience research relies upon direct interfacing of electrodes with neural microcircuits. However, inflammatory response in the host organism is a major challenge, as is ensuring complete interfacing with the electrode. A team from University of Pennsylvania led by Mark Allen now use extracellular matrix proteins at the interface between the electrode and the organism, fabricated via micro-molding and transfer, and micro-machining. In vivo studies of the cortex region of a rat suggest that protein encapsulation of the electrode has no negative effect on impedance measurements, and can support a dense layer of neuronal somata and neutrites on the electrode surface. Diminished neuroinflammation suggests the possibility to apply these electrodes in clinical situations.

摘要：Intracortical neural microelectrodes, which can directly interface with local neural microcircuits with high spatial and temporal resolution, are critical for neuroscience research, emerging clinical applications, and brain computer interfaces (BCI). However, clinical applications of these devices remain limited mostly by their inability to mitigate inflammatory reactions and support dense neuronal survival at their interfaces. Herein we report the development of microelectrodes primarily composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which act as a bio-compatible and an electrochemical interface between the microelectrodes and physiological solution. These ECM-microelectrodes are batch fabricated using a novel combination of micro-transfer-molding and excimer laser micromachining to exhibit final dimensions comparable to those of commercial silicon-based microelectrodes. These are further integrated with a removable insertion stent which aids in intracortical implantation. Results from electrochemical models and in vivo recordings from the rat’s cortex indicate that ECM encapsulations have no significant effect on the electrochemical impedance characteristics of ECM-microelectrodes at neurologically relevant frequencies. ECM-microelectrodes are found to support a dense layer of neuronal somata and neurites on the electrode surface with high neuronal viability and exhibited markedly diminished neuroinflammation and glial scarring in early chronic experiments in rats.

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期刊介绍： Microsystems & Nanoengineering is an online-only, open access international journal devoted to publishing original research results and reviews on all aspects of Micro and Nano Electro Mechanical Systems from fundamental to applied research. The journal is published by Springer Nature in partnership with the Institute of Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, supported by the State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology.

（来源：科学网）