Recognition of artificial microstructures by sensory nerve fibers in culture.
Dissociated culture of adult mouse dorsal root ganglion cells on glass plates, on which grating-associated microstructures (a repetition of microgrooves [mGRV] and microsteps [mSTP] of 0.1-10 micron) are fabricated by the conventional lithographic techniques, represents a remarkable bi-directional growth of their nerve fibers in the axial direction of the grating. Microscopical observation shows that the nerve fibers prefer to grow in the mGRV (70%), while their growth cones exhibit an even distribution onto the mGRV and mSTP. The efficiency of the nerve fibers to grow along the grating-axis are highly sensitive to a fine alteration of the width and depth of the mGRV. The preferential growth of the nerve fibers is thus due to a mechanical recognition of the microstructures by the growth cones and neurites.
Hirono
T
T
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Torimitsu
K
K
Kawana
A
A
Fukuda
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*