The effects of β-NGF controlled delivery system on growth of primary cultured chick embryo dorsal root ganglion axons

Objective To construct β-NGF controlled delivery system and evaluate the biological effects of β-NGF on the growth of chick embryo dorsal root ganglion (DRG) axons in vitro. Methods Delivery systems releasing β-NGF at 50/μL, 100/μg/L and 250 μg/L concentration were constructed. To determine the optimal dose response effects of NGF in the controlled delivery system, DRG were co-cultured with of β-NGF at above concentrations while using DRG basic culture as control. Axonal growth was observed. DRG were also cocultured with the components in the controlled delivery system to detect the effects on growth of DRG axons. The experiment was divided into 5 experimental groups and 1 control group: control group, DRG+ fibrin; Group A,DRG+ fibrin+ peptide + heparin + 100 μg/L β-NGF; Group B, DRG + fibrin + heparin + 100/μg/L β-NGF;Group C, DRG + fibrin + peptide + 100 μg/L β-NGF; Group D, DRG + fibrin + 100 μg/L β-NGF; Group E,DRG + fibrin + peptide + heparin. Results The growth of DRG axons in 50 μg/L, 100μg/L and 250/μg/Lconcentration of β-NGF controlled delivery system was 1.31 ( P > 0. 05), 3.78 ( P < 0. 01 ) and 3.05 ( P <0.01) folds of the control respectively. The growth of DRG axons in 100 μg/L group was significantly better comparing to that in 250 μg/L group. The growth of DRG axons in Groups A, B, C, D and E was 3.75, 1.15,1.12, 1.10 and 1.09 folds of the control group, respectively. The difference was only statistically significant between Group A and the control group ( P < 0. 01 ). Conclusion β-NGF released from the β-NGF controlled delivery system was bioactive. It could promote the growth of DRG axons.