3D cortical microtissue with innate microglia for studying real-time cell behavior across maturation and inflammatory response

Research Overview

Microglia are the immune cells of the central nervous system, continuously surveying their surroundings and responding to injury and disease — yet 3D in vitro models that include microglia and capture both developmental and mature function have been lacking.

Using cortical microtissues — a 3D multicellular model built from primary rat cortical cells — this study live-imaged microglial dynamics across early, middle, and late stages of maturation. The authors optimized a within-micromold imaging approach so microglia can be watched live without removing the microtissues from the environment they grew in, and confirmed baseline surveillance behavior characteristic of homeostatic microglia.