title: Topographical strategies to control neural outgrowth.
abstract: In this work a synergistic approach is used to investigate how directional anisotropic surfaces (i.e., nanogratings) control the alignment of PC12 neurites. Finite Element models were used to assess the distribution of stresses in non-spread growth cones and filopodia. The stress field was assumed to be the main triggering cause fostering the increase and stabilization of filopodia, so the local stress maxima were directly related to the neuritic orientation. Moreover, a computational framework was implemented within an open source Java environment (CX3D), and in silico simulations were carried out to reproduce and predict biological experiments. No significant differences were found between biological experiments and in silico simulations (alignment angle, p = 0.4685; tortuosity, p = 0.9075) with a standard level of confidence (95%).
authors.forename: I Morana
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Roccasalvo
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Sergi
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tonazzini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cecchini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Micera
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D011554:Pseudopodia / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D013499:Surface Properties