Accelerating the Development of Hippocampal Neurons using Nanopillar Structures

摘要: During the development of a neuron cell, multiple dendrites and single axon, which have molecularly functionally distinct domains, will generate from soma to enable directional communication between cells. The initiation extension such structures are critical neural circuit formation. In vitro culture system has been major model study axon elongation, many regulating genes identified in model. However, only few proven be required vivo, may mainly due lack extracellular cues importance outgrowth is therefore emerging as theme development. Nanostructures nanomaterials serve promising candidates provide topographical neuronal adhesion Previous studies showed that cells were able sense nanoscale responded differently their neurite extension. present work, we use patterned nanopillar controllable hippocampal neurons, found nanopillars significant guidance effect on elongation. More interestingly, specification occurs first 12 hours after cell plating, much earlier than usual time point for growing normal flat surfaces. It indicated can indeed accelerating We further studied this influence elongation by varying diameter, height, pitch shape nanopillars, different effects observed. This work new insights role well possibility using topographic features control