  Neural tissue engineering holds incredible potential to restore functional
capabilities to damaged neural tissue. It was hypothesized that patterned and
functionalized nanofiber scaffolds could control neurite direction and enhance
neurite outgrowth. Aligned nanofibers were created according to a mathematical
model and were shown to enable significant control over the direction of
neurite outgrowth in both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D)
neuronal cultures. Laminin-functionalized nanofibers in 3D hyaluronic acid (HA)
hydrogels enabled significant alignment of neurites with nanofibers, enabled
significant neurite tracking of nanofibers, and significantly increased the
distance over which neurites could extend. This work demonstrates the ability
to create unique 3D neural tissue constructs using a combined system of
hydrogel and nanofiber scaffolding. Importantly, patterned and
biofunctionalized nanofiber scaffolds that can control direction and increase
length of neurite outgrowth in three-dimensions hold much potential for neural
tissue engineering. This approach offers advancements in the development of
implantable neural tissue constructs that enable control of neural development
and reproduction of neuroanatomical pathways, with the ultimate goal being the
achievement of functional neural regeneration.
