The effects of confinement on neuronal growth cone morphology and velocity.

ABSTRACT: Optimizing growth cone guidance through the use of patterned substrates is important for designing regenerative substrates to aid in recovery from neuronal injury. Using laser ablation, we designed micron-scale patterns capable of confining dissociated mouse cerebellar granule neuron growth cones to channels of different widths ranging from 1.5 to 12 μm. Growth cone dynamics in these channels were observed using time-lapse microscopy. Growth cone area was decreased in channels between 1.5 and 6 μm as compared to that in 12 μm and unpatterned substrates. Growth cone aspect ratio was also affected as narrower channels forced growth cones into a narrow, elongated shape. There was no difference in the overall rate of growth cone advance in uniform channels between 1.5 and 12 μm as compared to

SUBMITTER: Smirnov MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4075440 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature