Authors: Honghui Zheng, Yilin Feng, Jiyuan Tang, Feifei Yu, Zitian Wang, Jiani Xu, Cheng Hai, Mingyue Jiang, Yifan Cheng, Zhicheng Shao, Ning Ma, Peter E. Lobie, and Shaohua Ma
Nature Communications, 23 March 2025
Scientists use the industry-leading Maestro MEA platform to assess neural network activity in ACM-treated human brain organoids (HBOs) in vitro.
Neural organoids have become a powerful model for CNS development and neurological disorders, but do not always mature sufficiently or quickly enough to fully recapitulate human physiology. In this study, researchers assess astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) as an enrichment factor to promote human brain organoid (HBO) development and maturation. To assess neural network maturation over time in vitro, the authors used Axion BioSystems’ noninvasive Maestro multielectrode array (MEA) platform. MEA findings showed that organoids treated with astrocyte-conditioned medium exhibited increased activity and more rapid maturation than control organoids, both at early stages (days 45-60) and later stages of development (days 61-90). According to the authors, these results demonstrate “the potential of astrocyte secretions to promote neural maturation,” and conclude that “Addressing the aforementioned limitations in future research will be vital for strengthening the utility of HBOs as powerful platforms for studying neurodisorders and advancing the translational potential of these findings.”
