Integration of topographical and biochemical cues by axons during growth on microfabricated 3-D substrates.

ABSTRACT: During embryonic neural development, axon tips ("growth cones") are guided through a dynamic three-dimensional (3-D) landscape by soluble chemotropic factors and by immobilized, growth-permissive or growth-inhibiting contact cues present in the extracellular matrix and on the surface of surrounding cells. It has been difficult to probe the search algorithms of growth cones in response to multiple contact cues during 3-D navigation using traditional two-dimensional (2-D) substrates. Here, we present an in vitro study in which the axons of murine embryonic cortical neurons are challenged with competing growth options, using 3-D substrates that feature variations in permissiveness and microtopography. As 3-D substrates, we used poly-D-lysine (PDL) coatings on microfabricated steps of polydime

SUBMITTER: Li N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3880801 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature