Toxicity assessment using in vitro peripheral nerve culture device and AI image analysis

<p>Microphysiological system (MPS) is an in vitro culture technology that reproduces the physiological microenvironment and functionality of humans, and is expected to be applied for drug screening. In this study, we develop a culture device and related evaluation method using AI image analysis for the purpose of constructing a rapid assessment platform for peripheral neuropathy. First, we developed a microchannel culture device that could separate the cell body and neurites, so that elongated neurites can be analyzed alone. In this device, the microchannel resin member is manufactured by direct photobonding (R), and there is no effect on the culture evaluation system due to the elution of the adhesive. COP (Cyclo olefin polymer), which has excellent observability and low drug adsorption, is used as the resin material. Next, dorsal root ganglion collected from E15 rat was cultured in the device coated with Poly-L-lysine and Laminin. After culturing, the neurites were elongated unidirectional along the channel. The morphological changes of neurites can be clearly analyzed by immunostaining. In addition, at 6th week of culture, myelination was confirmed from the axons extending in the channel. Using a fluorescent dye, the dynamics of Ca2 + related to neural function could be measured in the myelinated axon. Successful culture of separated neurites in the microchannel device for more than 1 month indicates that a series of test processes from culture to drug stimulation and fluorescence observation is possible. Assessment results of anticancer drugs known to cause peripheral neurotoxicity will be reported at the meeting.</p>