title: Control of Retinal Ganglion Cell Positioning and Neurite Growth: Combining 3D Printing with Radial Electrospun Scaffolds.
abstract: Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are responsible for the transfer of signals from the retina to the brain. As part of the central nervous system, RGCs are unable to regenerate following injury, and implanted cells have limited capacity to orient and integrate in vivo. During development, secreted guidance molecules along with signals from extracellular matrix and the vasculature guide cell positioning, for example, around the fovea, and axon outgrowth; however, these changes are temporally regulated and are not the same in the adult. Here, we combine electrospun cell transplantation scaffolds capable of RGC neurite guidance with thermal inkjet 3D cell printing techniques capable of precise positioning of RGCs on the scaffold surface. Optimal printing parameters are developed for viability, electrophysiological function and, neurite pathfinding. Different media, commonly used to promote RGC survival and growth, were tested under varying conditions. When printed in growth media containing both brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), RGCs maintained survival and normal electrophysiological function, and displayed radial axon outgrowth when printed onto electrospun scaffolds. These results demonstrate that 3D printing technology may be combined with complex electrospun surfaces in the design of future retinal models or therapies.
authors.affiliation: 1 Shiley Eye Institute and Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California San Diego , La Jolla, California.
authors.forename: Karl E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Kador
authors.affiliation: 2 Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education at Scripps Clinic , La Jolla, California.
authors.forename: Shawn P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Grogan
authors.affiliation: 2 Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education at Scripps Clinic , La Jolla, California.
authors.forename: Erik W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Dorthé
authors.affiliation: 1 Shiley Eye Institute and Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California San Diego , La Jolla, California.
authors.forename: Praseeda
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Venugopalan
authors.affiliation: 1 Shiley Eye Institute and Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California San Diego , La Jolla, California.
authors.forename: Monisha F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Malek
authors.affiliation: 1 Shiley Eye Institute and Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California San Diego , La Jolla, California.|3 Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University , Palo Alto, California.
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.affiliation: 2 Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education at Scripps Clinic , La Jolla, California.
authors.forename: Darryl D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: D'lima
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016501:Neurites / Q000378:metabolism*; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*