Biomechanical and Ionic Excitability Within Developing Brain Cell Networks*

Within the brain, multiple cell types work together to allow for complex processes like memory, learning, and cognition. During development neural progenitor cells (NPC) give rise to two main brain cell types, neurons and astrocytes. While a large body research studies the communication of neurons, there is less studied about the network communication of neurons and astrocytes, especially in the context of networks developing from NPCs. To understand the biomechanical excitable system, the key cellular scaffolding protein actin is fluorescently labeled and dynamics are analyzed using a computer algorithm called optical flow. We examine these actin dynamics in conjugation with electrical/ionic communication monitored via calcium dynamics throughout the development of biological neural networks of both neurons and astrocytes from human NPCs in parallel. This work shows that pharmacologically perturbing actin impacts the functional communication as measured by calcium in the developing neural networks – suggesting new avenues to understanding the impact of biomechanical elements in neural communication. 

Funding support provided by US Air Force Office of Scientific Research MURI grant FA9550-16-1-0052