Adhesion and patterning of cortical neurons on polyethylenimine and fluorcarbon-coated surfaces

In this study adhesion and patterning of cortical neurons on modified glass surfaces was investigated. Patterns of cortical neurons were prepared with a combination of polyethylenimine (PEI) and plasma-deposited fluorocarbon (FC). In addition neurite development and fasciculation of interconnecting neurites between PEI-coated areas was studied. The patterns consisted of PEI-coated circular holes (diameter 150 pm) which were initially etched in a Fluorocarbon (FC) layer. The separation distance between the PEI-coated circular holes was varied from 10 up to 90 pm. This paper shows that the chemical patterns, prepared with a combination of polyethylenimine (PEI) and plasma deposited Fluorocarbon (FC), results in highly compliant patterns of adhering cortical neurons. Furthermore it was shown that interconnecting neurite bundles between neurons on the PEI-coated circular holes were especially present on the pattern with a minimal separation distance (10 pm) between the PEI-coated circular holes. In contrast interconnecting neurite bundles were hardly observed on patterns with a maximal separation distance (90 pm) between the PEI-coated circular holes.