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Immobilized concentration gradients of nerve growth factor guide neurite outgrowth
Author(s) -
Kapur Terri Adams,
Shoichet Molly S.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.10168
Subject(s) - nerve growth factor , neurite , concentration gradient , materials science , neurotrophic factors , biophysics , neurotrophin , growth factor , microporous material , biomedical engineering , chemistry , chromatography , in vitro , biochemistry , biology , medicine , receptor , composite material
Axons are guided to their targets by a combination of haptotactic and chemotactic cues. We previously demonstrated that soluble neurotrophic factor concentration gradients guide axons in a model system. In an attempt to translate this model system to a device for implantation, our goal was to immobilize a stable neurotrophic concentration gradient for axonal (or neurite) guidance. Nerve growth factor (NGF) was immobilized within poly(2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate) [p(HEMA)] microporous gels using a gradient maker. The NGF was stably immobilized, with only ∼0.05% of the amount originally incorporated into the gel released over an 8‐day period. Immobilized NGF was bioactive: the percent of PC12 cells extending neurites on NGF‐immobilized p(HEMA) gels was 16 ± 2%, which was statistically the same as those exposed to soluble NGF (22 ± 6%). We were able to predict and reproducibly create stable NGF concentration gradients in the gel. At an NGF concentration gradient of 357 ng/mL/mm, PC12 cell neurites were guided up the gradient. The facile, flexible, and reproducible nature of this method allowed us to translate soluble growth factor gradient models to stable growth factor gradient devices that may ultimately enhance axonal guidance and regeneration in vivo . © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 68A: 235–243, 2004