Figure 5.

Nerve cells decide to orient in an Anisogel with minimal structural guidance. (a) DRGs (red, Alexa Fluor 633) were inserted in fibrin and Anisogels with 0.25, 1, and 2 vol % microgels (green, fluorescein), revealing that at least 1 vol % is required for nerve guidance. (b) Quantification of the images in (a) substantiates the qualitative findings that 1 vol % microgels is required with no significant improvement for 2 vol %. (c) Full width at half-maximum (fwhm) of quantified neurite extension within the Anisogel (0.25, 1, and 2 vol % microgels) or fibrin. Images were quantified by the imageJ plugin OrientationJ, starting at the edge of the DRG body (marked by white circle) (n = 3). (d) Extension of single primary nerve cells mixed within fibrin and Anisogels with 0.25 vol %, 0.5 vol %, and 1 vol %, supporting the threshold of 1 vol % to obtain a functional Anisogel. Data presented as average ± s.d. and statistical significance performed using two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni comparison (*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001). Scale bars in (a) are 200 μm and in (d) 50 μm.