Functionalization of Electrospun Nanofibers and Fiber Alignment Enhance Neural Stem Cell Proliferation and Neuronal Differentiation.

ABSTRACT: Neural stem cells (NSCs) have the potential to generate the cells of the nervous system and, when cultured on nanofiber scaffolds, constitute a promising approach for neural tissue engineering. In this work, the impact of combining nanofiber alignment with functionalization of the electrospun poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanofibers with biological adhesion motifs on the culture of an NSC line (CGR8-NS) is evaluated. A five-rank scale for fiber density was introduced, and a 4.5 level, corresponding to 70-80% fiber density, was selected for NSC in vitro culture. Aligned nanofibers directed NSC distribution and, especially in the presence of laminin (PCL-LN) and the RGD-containing peptide GRGDSP (PCL-RGD), promoted higher cell elongation, quantified by the eccentricity and axis ratio.

SUBMITTER: Amores de Sousa MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7649414 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature