1 research outputs found
Bioactive Organic Rosette Nanotubes Support Sensory Neurite Outgrowth
Regardless
of the intervention for peripheral nerve repair, slow
rates of axonal regeneration often result in poor clinical outcomes.
Thus, using new materials such as biologically inspired, biocompatible,
organic rosette nanotubes (RNTs) could provide a tailorable scaffold
to modulate neurite extension and attachment for improved nerve repair.
RNTs are obtained through the spontaneous self-assembly of a synthetic
DNA base analogue featuring the hydrogen bond triads of both guanine
and cytosine, the G∧C base. Here, we investigated the potential
of RNTs functionalized with lysine and Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Lys (<u>RGD</u>SK) peptide to support neural growth. We hypothesized
that (a) due to their dimensions, the RNTs would support neuron attachment,
and (b) their conjugation to the integrin-binding peptide <u>RGD</u>SK would further enhance neurite outgrowth compared
to unfunctionalized RNT. Neurite extension was examined on a variety
of RNT structures, including RNT with a lysine side chain (K1), a
mixture of the K1 and a free RGDS peptide, RNT alone, an RGDSK-functionalized
RNT, in addition to poly-d-lysine and laminin controls. Both
whole dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and single dissociated DRG neurons
were seeded onto RNT-coated substrates containing various ratios of
peptides. Analysis of neuron morphometrics showed that RNT blends
support DRG neuron attachment and neurite extension, with RGDS presentation
increasing neurite outgrowth from whole DRG by up to 47% over a 7-day
period compared to K1 alone (<i>p</i> < 0.013). In addition,
while RNTs increased the sprouting of primary neurites extending from
dissociated DRG neurons, the total neurite outgrowth per neuron remained
the same. These results show that functionalized biomimetic RNTs provide
a support for neurite growth and extension and have the ability to
modulate neuronal morphology. These results also pave the way for
the design of injectable RNT-based nanomaterials that support guided
neural regeneration following traumatic injury