Culture of central nervous system neurons on electrospun polymer fiber-covered surfaces

As the world population ages, the need for alternative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases is increasing. Neuronal tissue engineering is one of the most promising methods for creating in vitro disease models and therapies as well as regeneration of lost brain tissue due to neurodegenerative diseases. But due to inherent difficulties of culturing neurons and glia in vitro, studies in this field proceeds slowly. Our aim is to produce surfaces that nerve cells can attach and grow on in vitro. Electrospun chitosan fibers that are shown to be suitable for neurons to grow were produced in three different chemical compositions. New born hippocampal neurons and PC12 model cells were cultured on these surfaces and their interaction with the surfaces were investigated. The cells interact with electrospun fibers and these surfaces can be used for cell replacement in future clinical applications, providing new possibilities to treat human neurodegenerative diseases.