We present an in vitro model of the peripheral nervous system by establishing a coculture of motor neurons (MNs) and Schwann cells (SCs) in a microengineered hydrogel scaffold. This 3D microenvironment allowed the axons of MNs to actively interact with SCs during their growth and maturation. Treating the MN–SC coculture model with ascorbic acid induced myelin formation on axon fibers. Moreover, this can be reversed by treating myelinated nerve fibers with glial growth factor to potentially block the formation of the myelin sheath and induce demyelination. Our model may offer new opportunities to study pathophysiological processes involved in neurodegenerative diseases.
- Sunghee Estelle Park
- Jinchul Ahn
- Seok Chung
