In Situ, Light-Guided Axon Growth on Biomaterials via Photoactivatable Laminin Peptidomimetic IK(HANBP)VAV

PAEZ, JULIETA I.; CAVALIÉ, ADOLFO; ZHAO, SHIFANG; SALIERNO, MARCELO; FARRUKH, ALEEZA; KAVYANIFAR, ATRIA; DEL CAMPO, ARÁNZAZU

ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Año: 2018 vol. 10 p. 41129 - 41137

1944-8244

The ability to guide the growth of neurites is relevant for reconstructing neural networks and for nerve tissue regeneration. Here, a biofunctional hydrogel that allows light-based directional control of axon growth in situ is presented. The gel is covalently modified with a photoactivatable derivative of the short laminin peptidomimetic IKVAV. This adhesive peptide contains the photoremovable group 2-(4′-amino-4-nitro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)propan-1-ol (HANBP) on the Lys rest that inhibits its activity. The modified peptide is highly soluble in water and can be simply conjugated to -COOH containing hydrogels via its terminal -NH 2 group. Light exposure allows presentation of the IKVAV adhesive motif on a soft hydrogel at desired concentration and at defined position and time point. The photoactivated gel supports neurite outgrowth in embryonic neural progenitor cells culture and allows site-selective guidance of neurites extension. In situ exposure of cell cultures using a scanning laser allows outgrowth of neurites in desired pathways.