AUTHOR=García-Parra Patricia , Cavaliere Fabio , Maroto Marcos , Bilbao Leire , Obieta Isabel , López de Munain Adolfo , Álava José Iñaki , Izeta Ander 

TITLE=Modeling neural differentiation on micropatterned substrates coated with neural matrix components

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2012

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fncel.2012.00010

DOI=10.3389/fncel.2012.00010

ISSN=1662-5102

ABSTRACT=<p>Topographical and biochemical characteristics of the substrate are critical for neuronal differentiation including axonal outgrowth and regeneration of neural circuits <italic>in vivo</italic>. Contact stimuli and signaling molecules allow neurons to develop and stabilize synaptic contacts. Here we present the development, characterization and functional validation of a new polymeric support able to induce neuronal differentiation in both PC12 cell line and adult primary skin-derived precursor cells (SKPs) <italic>in vitro</italic>. By combining a photolithographic technique with use of neural extracellular matrix (ECM) as a substrate, a biocompatible and efficient microenvironment for neuronal differentiation was developed.</p>