Abstract
Three aligned, electro spun fiber scaffolds with unique surface features were created from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). Fibers without surface nano topography (smooth fibers), fibers with surface divots (shallow pits), and fibers with surface pits (deeper pits) were fabricated, and fiber alignment, diameter, and density were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Whole dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were isolated from rats and placed onto uncoated fibers or fibers coated with laminin. On uncoated fibers, neurite outgrowth was restricted by fibers displaying devoted or pitted nano topography when compared to neurite outgrowth on smooth fibers. However, neurites extending from whole DRG cultured on laminin-coated fibers were not restricted by devoted or pitted surface nano topography. Thus, neurites extending on laminin-coated fibers were able to extend long neurites even in the presence of surface divots or pits. To further explore this result, individual neurons isolated from dissociated DRG were seeded onto laminin-coated smooth, pitted, or devoted fibers. Interestingly, neurons on pitted or devoted fibers exhibited a 1.5-fold increase in total neurite length, and a 2.3 or 2.7-fold increase in neurite branching compared to neurons on smooth fibers, respectively. Based on these findings, we conclude that fiber roughness in the form of pits or divots can promote extension and branching of long neurites along aligned electro spun fibers in the presence of an extracellular matrix protein coating. Thus, aligned, electro spun fibers can be crafted to not only direct the extension of axons but to induce unique branching morphologies.
Recommended Citation
A. R. D'Amato et al., "Exploring the Effects of Electrospun Fiber Surface Nanotopography on Neurite Outgrowth and Branching in Neuron Cultures," Plos One, vol. 14, no. 2, article no. e0211731, Public Library of Science, Feb 2019.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211731
Department(s)
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Publication Status
Open Access
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
1932-6203
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2025 The Authors, All rights reserved.
Creative Commons Licensing
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Publication Date
01 Feb 2019
PubMed ID
30716106
Comments
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Grant R01NS092754