The stimulation of the differentiation of pheochromocytoma (PC12-L) cells into neuron-like cells by electrically conductive nanofibre mesh

This study reports a novel method in which polycaprolactone(PCL)/polyaniline(PANi) nanofibre mesh is used to promote the differentiation of pheochromocytoma (PC12-L) cells into neuron-like cells. Stainless steel wire mesh (304) was used as a collector in the rapid fabrication of alignment-patterned PCL/PANi nanofibre mesh. Successful incorporation of PANi improved the electrical conductivity of the nanofibre mesh. Culturing low-differentiated rat pheochromocytoma (PC12-L) cells on the electrically conductive nanofibre mesh significantly promoted the differentiation of PC12-L cells into neuron-like cells by the synergetic effect of the alignment patterns and the electrical conductivity of PANi. The electrically conductive nanofibre mesh described in this study may provide a promising platform for the study of nerve regeneration.