Regulation of neuritogenesis in hippocampal neurons using stiffness of extracellular microenvironment.

ABSTRACT: The mechanosensitivity of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) is an interesting issue as regards understanding neuronal development and designing compliant materials as neural interfaces between neurons and external devices for treating CNS injuries and disorders. Although neurite initiation from a cell body is known to be the first step towards forming a functional nervous network during development or regeneration, less is known about how the mechanical properties of the extracellular microenvironment affect neuritogenesis. Here, we investigated the filamentous actin (F-actin) cytoskeletal structures of neurons, which are a key factor in neuritogenesis, on gel substrates with a stiffness-controlled substrate, to reveal the relationship between substrate stiffness and neuritogenes

SUBMITTER: Tanaka A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5800654 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature