Promoting filopodial elongation in neurons by membrane-bound magnetic nanoparticles.

ABSTRACT: Filopodia are 5-10 μm long processes that elongate by actin polymerization, and promote axon growth and guidance by exerting mechanical tension and by molecular signaling. Although axons elongate in response to mechanical tension, the structural and functional effects of tension specifically applied to growth cone filopodia are unknown. Here we developed a strategy to apply tension specifically to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) growth cone filopodia through surface-functionalized, membrane-targeted superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). When magnetic fields were applied to surface-bound SPIONs, RGC filopodia elongated directionally, contained polymerized actin filaments, and generated retrograde forces, behaving as bona fide filopodia. Data presented here support the premise tha

SUBMITTER: Pita-Thomas W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4691347 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature