4.5 Article

3D Electrospun scaffolds promote a cytotrophic phenotype of cultured primary astrocytes

Journal

JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
Volume 130, Issue 2, Pages 215-226

Publisher

WILEY-BLACKWELL
DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12702

Keywords

astrocyte; astrogliosis; bioengineering; cell culture; cytotrophic phenotype; gene expression

Funding

  1. NHMRC [APP1020332, APP1050684, APP1020401, APP1019833]
  2. Australian Research Council Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship
  3. Viertel Charitable Foundation, Australia
  4. Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility (AMMRF)

Ask authors/readers for more resources

Astrocytes are a target for regenerative neurobiology because in brain injury their phenotype arbitrates brain integrity, neuronal death and subsequent repair and reconstruction. We explored the ability of 3D scaffolds to direct astrocytes into phenotypes with the potential to support neuronal survival. Poly-c-caprolactone scaffolds were electrospun with random and aligned fibre orientations on which murine astrocytes were sub-cultured and analysed at 4 and 12 DIV. Astrocytes survived, proliferated and migrated into scaffolds adopting 3D morphologies, mimicking in vivo stellated phenotypes. Cells on random poly-e-caprolactone scaffolds grew as circular colonies extending processes deep within sub-micron fibres, whereas astrocytes on aligned scaffolds exhibited rectangular colonies with processes following not only the direction of fibre alignment but also penetrating the scaffold. Cell viability was maintained over 12 DIV, and cytochemistry for F-/G-actin showed fewer stress fibres on bioscaffolds relative to 2D astrocytes. Reduced cytoskeletal stress was confirmed by the decreased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein. PCR demonstrated up-regulation of genes (excitatory amino acid transporter 2, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and anti-oxidant) reflecting healthy biologies of mature astrocytes in our extended culture protocol. This study illustrates the therapeutic potential of bioengineering strategies using 3D electrospun scaffolds which direct astrocytes into phenotypes supporting brain repair.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.5
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available