OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of the topographic features of electrospun polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) nanofibers on growth pattern of primary rat astrocytes.

METHODSRat astrocytes were cultured on fabricated random and aligned electrospun nanofibers. Using PMMA film as the control, the cells were transfected with a lentivirus harboring GFP gene to reveal the cell growth pattern on different substrates.

RESULTSoth random and aligned electrospun PMMA nanofibers could support the growth of rat astrocytes, but the topographic features of the fibers significantly affected their growth pattern. On aligned nanofibers, astrocytes extended long cell processes along the direction of the substrate fibers, and on random fibers the astrocytes formed shorter processes. On merged images of GFP expressions and substrate fibers, the cell processes of the astrocytes were shown to adhere to and elongate along the fibers both on random and aligned nanofibers.

CONCLUSIONThe topographic features of PMMA nanofibers can significantly influence the growth pattern of primary rat astrocytes. Aligned electrospun nanofibers has the potential to serve as scaffold material for reducing glia scar formation after spinal cord injury.