“Cell climbing stones” – varying the surfaces of electrospun nanofibers with protrusions as secondary structures to manipulate neural cell behaviors

Abstract

Effective neural repair requires the precise regulation of neurite outgrowth and coordinated migration of neural stem cells (NSCs) and Schwann cells (SCs). The synergistic integration of topographical cues, chemical signals and electrical stimulation can significantly enhance this process, among which topographical modulation has emerged as a research focus due to its direct regulatory effects on cellular behavior. Micro/nanoscale topological features (nanogrooves and protrusions) can markedly promote neurite outgrowth and cell migration by matching the mechanical characteristics of growth cone filopodia (100–300 nm). Building upon our previous work, we designed a series of aligned nanofibers with SiO2 protrusions of varying sizes and concentrations to mimic “cell climbing stones,” systematically investigating their regulatory effects on neurite growth, and the migration of NSCs and SCs. The results demonstrated that nanofibers with oriented protrusions as secondary structures significantly enhanced the motility of SCs and NSCs while promoting neurite extension. Notably, nanofibers fabricated with 200 nm SiO2 nanoparticles blended with PCL at 6% SiO2 concentration exhibited the most pronounced regulatory effects on neural cell behavior.

Graphical abstract: “Cell climbing stones” – varying the surfaces of electrospun nanofibers with protrusions as secondary structures to manipulate neural cell behaviors

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
30 Agd 2025
Accepted
09 Qad 2025
First published
23 Qad 2025

Nanoscale Horiz., 2025, Advance Article

“Cell climbing stones” – varying the surfaces of electrospun nanofibers with protrusions as secondary structures to manipulate neural cell behaviors

Y. Wang, X. Zhang, L. Yao, Y. Yan, Y. Wang and T. Wu, Nanoscale Horiz., 2025, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D5NH00295H

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