Guiding PC12 cell neurite outgrowth by a homogenous NGF concentration gradient

The defining characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases, such as spinal cord injury, is the inability of injured nerve cells to repair themselves or regrow. The aim of this study is to create and characterize a neurotrophic factor (NF) concentration gradient that will direct axonal growth. The effects of a concentration gradient of nerve growth factor (NGF) on adrenal rat pheochromacytoma (PC12) cells were followed in a model in vitro system. A compartmentalized diffusion chamber was created to achieve a well-defined, linear NGF concentration profile, which could be varied to accommodate different concentration profiles. Cell studies suggest that there is a minimum concentration gradient required to direct neurite outgrowth. Companion studies are currently under investigation with primary neurons