Fig. 2.
Morphology and function of rat hippocampal neurons and astrocytes are influenced by substrate roughnesses. Neuron–astrocyte interaction on (A) smooth glass substrate and (B) substrate of Rq = 32 nm. Astrocytes were visualized using antibody against GFAP (blue) and neurons were visualized using antibody against MAP-2 (red). Quantification of neuron–astrocyte association in (C) short-term cultures (5 d) and (D) long-term cultures (6 wk). Calcium-sensitive FURA-2 imaging in hippocampal neurons on smooth glass substrates and surfaces with Rq of 32 nm: (E) change in intracellular calcium level as assessed by FURA-2 intensity and (F) rate of depolarization as determined by the slope of the depolarization portion of the curve (immediately after addition of KCl). Statistical significance: ***P < 0.001.