Title
Tenascin-C Derived Signaling Induces Neuronal Differentiation in Three-Dimensional Nanofiber Gel
Author
Melike Sever, Gokhan Gunay, Mustafa O. Guler, Ayse Begum Tekinay
Year
2018
Journal
Biomaterials Science
Abstract
Developing new biomaterials mimicking the neuronal extracellular matrix (ECM) requires signals for induction of neuronal differentiation and regeneration. In addition to biological and chemical cues, physical properties of the ECM should also be considered while designing regenerative materials for nervous tissue. In this study, we investigated the influence of microenvironment on tenascin-C signaling using 2D surfaces and 3D scaffolds generated by a peptide amphiphile nanofiber gel with a tenascin-C derived peptide epitope (VFDNFVLK). While tenascin-C mimetic PA nanofibers significantly increased the length and number of neurites produced by PC12 cells on 2D cell culture, more extensive neurite outgrowth was observed in 3D gel environment. PC12 cells encapsulated within the 3D tenascin-C mimetic peptide nanofiber gel also exhibited significantly increased expression of neural markers compared to cells on 2D surfaces. Our results emphasize the synergistic effects of the 3D conformation of peptide nanofibers along with the Tenascin-C signaling and growth factors on neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells, which may further provide more tissue-like morphology for therapeutic applications.
Instrument
J-815
Keywords
Circular dichroism, Secondary structure, Nanostructures, Biochemistry, Materials