Modifying an adsorbed extracellular matrix protein (ECM) on tissue engineered for use in patients can selectively change the nervous response of cells, say researchers from Nottingham, UK.   

This new tool could have important implications in the formation of synapses within engineered tissue. 

Tissue development relies on producing materials that allow control of cell adhesion, cell growth and cell differentiation. These materials are coated with ECMs such as laminin to increase cell adhesion. 

Laminin can promote neurite growth from motoneurons. To try to control the growth of synapses between muscles and motoneurons, Kevin Shakesheff and colleagues from the University of Nottingham, attached a tripeptide 'stop' signal to laminin. This inhibited the motoneurons' neurite length and allowed the synapse to develop. 

Shakesheff's research could provide the means to control nerve growth, enabling nervous connections to be formed at chosen points within engineered tissue. 

The major challenge for the future will be 'localising chemically ligated molecules to specific areas within a scaffold or tissue construct', said Shakesheff.   

Kathryn Sear