title: Gold Nanoparticle-Decorated Scaffolds Promote Neuronal Differentiation and Maturation.
abstract: Engineered 3D neuronal networks are considered a promising approach for repairing the damaged spinal cord. However, the lack of a technological platform encouraging axonal elongation over branching may jeopardize the success of such treatment. To address this issue we have decorated gold nanoparticles on the surface of electrospun nanofiber scaffolds, characterized the composite material, and investigated their effect on the differentiation, maturation, and morphogenesis of primary neurons and on an immature neuronal cell line. We have shown that the nanocomposite scaffolds have encouraged a longer outgrowth of the neurites, as judged by the total length of the branching trees and the length and total distance of neurites. Moreover, neurons grown on the nanocomposite scaffolds had less neurites originating out of the soma and lower number of branches. Taken together, these results indicate that neurons cultivated on the gold nanoparticle scaffolds prefer axonal elongation over forming complex branching trees. We envision that such cellular constructs may be useful in the future as implantable cellular devices for repairing damaged neuronal tissues, such as the spinal cord.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Engineering and ‡Institute of Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University , Ramat Gan 52900, Israel.|The Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, ∥Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and ⊥The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
authors.forename: Koby
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baranes
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Engineering and ‡Institute of Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University , Ramat Gan 52900, Israel.|The Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, ∥Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and ⊥The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shevach
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Engineering and ‡Institute of Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University , Ramat Gan 52900, Israel.|The Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, ∥Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and ⊥The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
authors.forename: Orit
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shefi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Engineering and ‡Institute of Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University , Ramat Gan 52900, Israel.|The Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, ∥Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and ⊥The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
authors.forename: Tal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dvir
keywords: Axonal elongation; gold nanoparticles; nanocomposite scaffold; neuronal tissue engineering