Acta Biomater, 2016 · DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.04.010 · Published: June 1, 2016
This study explores a new material that mimics a part of the body's support structure, specifically a molecule called tenascin-C. This molecule is known to help nerve cells grow. The material is made of small building blocks that assemble themselves into tiny fibers. These fibers can form a gel, which can hold cells. The scientists found that when nerve cells were placed in this gel, they grew better and moved more effectively. This new gel could potentially be used to help the nervous system repair itself after injury, by guiding new nerve cells to grow and connect in the damaged area.
Bioactive gels could serve as artificial matrix therapies in regions of neuronal loss to guide neural stem cells and promote through biochemical cues neurite extension after differentiation.
A material capable of guiding cells derived from neural progenitors or stem cells could be used to direct native or transplanted cells to regions of neuronal loss.
The self-assembling nature of the material is the ability to transition from a solution to gel upon exposure to physiological divalent cations, like Ca2+.