Fig. 4.

F11 enhances FN-dependent neurite outgrowth of retinal ganglion cells. Retinal cells were cultured on FN alone, on an FN–IgY mixture, or on an FN–F11 mixture. Cultures were evaluated, and data are presented as outlined in the legend of Figure 2. The average number of attached cells is indistinguishable on the three substrates (a). If F11 is added to FN before coating, the average number of neurites per cell (b) and the average length of neurites per cell (c) are larger (filled bars) on this mixture than on FN alone (open bars). By contrast, substitution of F11 by an equal amount of IgY (hatched bars) did not enhance the outgrowth response of retinal neurons. Data from one representative experiment of at least four independent experiments are depicted. **Statistical significance of the difference (Mann–WhitneyU test, p < 0.001).