title: Synergistic effects of physical and chemical guidance cues on neurite alignment and outgrowth on biodegradable polymer substrates.
abstract: This article demonstrates that directional outgrowth of neurites is promoted by applying a combination of physical and chemical cues to biodegradable polymer substrates. Films of poly-D,L-lactic acid and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) were micropatterned to form grooves on substrate surfaces, using novel indirect transfer techniques developed specifically for biodegradable polymers that cannot be micropatterned directly. Laminin was selectively adsorbed in the grooves. Whole and dissociated dorsal root ganglia were seeded on the substrates and neurite outgrowth and alignment along the microgrooves were measured. The microgrooves provide physical guidance, whereas laminin provides chemical cues to the neurons. The groove depth and spacing were found to significantly influence neurite alignment. The presence of laminin was found to promote neurite adhesion and outgrowth along the grooves. Using a combination of optimized physical and chemical cues, excellent spatial control of directional neurite outgrowth, with up to 95% alignment of neurites, was obtained. The synergistic effect of physical and chemical guidance cues was found to be more effective than individual cues in promoting directional outgrowth of neurites.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-2230, USA.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Srdija
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jeftinija
authors.forename: Surya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mallapragada
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019344:Lactic Acid; D007797:Laminin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013499:Surface Properties; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007797:Laminin; D011108:Polymers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid