title: Self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiols on gold modulate electrophysiological parameters and cellular morphology of cultured neurons.
abstract: Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of omega-substituted alkanethiols on gold have been explored as well defined in vitro model surfaces for the investigation of neuronal growth and function. When used as cell culture substrates, surfaces with monolayers functionalized with terminal -COOH groups support neuron attachment and growth even without an intermediate protein layer. Addition of a poly-L-lysine layer (PLL) to the -COOH terminated monolayers significantly increases total neurite outgrowth. Mixed monolayers containing -COOH and -CH3 terminal groups in 1:10 and 1:100 ratios poorly support neuron adhesion and preclude neurite extension. A layer of PLL improves the ability of mixed monolayer surfaces to support neuronal growth in culture. The morphology of cultured neurons depends on the chemical composition of SAMs on the support surface. Using glass microelectrode intracellular recording, the properties of cell culture substrates modulate the dynamic properties of action potentials of cultured neurons. These findings provide insight into the cellular responses of excitable cells to the chemical details of a surface and, thus, may help direct the rational design of biologically active materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
authors.forename: Elena V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Romanova
authors.forename: Susan P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Oxley
authors.forename: Stanislav S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Rubakhin
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Bohn
authors.forename: Jonathan V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Sweedler
mesh_terms: D000473:Alkanes; D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D006046:Gold; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D006046:Gold