Gold nanofibers as scaffolds for neuron differentiation in a 3D microtissue
- 1Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, Denmark, 8000
- 2University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Abstract
Engineering neuronal tissues requires biomaterials that provide structural support while actively directing cell fate. Here, high-aspect-ratio gold nanofibers are explored as bioinstructive scaffolds for neuronal organization and differentiation. In a 2.5D paper-based model, the nanofibers guide Neuro-2a cell organization and promote neurite-like extensions through topographical interactions. Building on these findings, a printable composite bioink comprising a gelatin/alginate liquid phase and gelatin microstrands is fabricated. The resulting inks exhibit shear-thinning behavior, rapid structural recovery, and sufficient mechanical stability for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting. Incorporation of SH-SY5Y cells generates viable and proliferative progenitor microtissues, with increasing gelatin microstrand content favoring neuronal-like morphologies. Integration of the gold nanofibers further enhances neuronal differentiation, as supported by cell morphology, immunostaining, and expression of neuronal markers, with differentiation occurring even in the absence of retinoic acid, a common chemical differentiation factor. Spatial separation of the gold nanofibers from the cells reduces this effect, highlighting the importance of direct cell-material interactions. Together, these results establish high-aspect-ratio gold nanofibers provide structural cues capable of promoting neuronal differentiation within 3D bioprinted tissues and provide a strategy for engineering neuron-like microtissues without relying exclusively on chemical differentiation agents.
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BibTeX
@misc{stojilkovic2026gold,
title = {{Gold nanofibers as scaffolds for neuron differentiation in a 3D microtissue}},
author = {Stefan Stojilkovic and Paula de Dios Andres and Stephany Beyerstedt and Marina Grau Oriols and Malene K. Louw-Christensen and Miguel Alexandre Ramos-Docampo},
howpublished = {ChemRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.26434/chemrxiv.15010243/v1},
url = {https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15010243/v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Gold nanofibers as scaffolds for neuron differentiation in a 3D microtissue
AU - Stefan Stojilkovic
AU - Paula de Dios Andres
AU - Stephany Beyerstedt
AU - Marina Grau Oriols
AU - Malene K. Louw-Christensen
AU - Miguel Alexandre Ramos-Docampo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/11
PB - ChemRxiv
DO - 10.26434/chemrxiv.15010243/v1
UR - https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15010243/v1
AB - Engineering neuronal tissues requires biomaterials that provide structural support while actively directing cell fate. Here, high-aspect-ratio gold nanofibers are explored as bioinstructive scaffolds for neuronal organization and differentiation. In a 2.5D paper-based model, the nanofibers guide Neuro-2a cell organization and promote neurite-like extensions through topographical interactions. Building on these findings, a printable composite bioink comprising a gelatin/alginate liquid phase and gelatin microstrands is fabricated. The resulting inks exhibit shear-thinning behavior, rapid structural recovery, and sufficient mechanical stability for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting. Incorporation of SH-SY5Y cells generates viable and proliferative progenitor microtissues, with increasing gelatin microstrand content favoring neuronal-like morphologies. Integration of the gold nanofibers further enhances neuronal differentiation, as supported by cell morphology, immunostaining, and expression of neuronal markers, with differentiation occurring even in the absence of retinoic acid, a common chemical differentiation factor. Spatial separation of the gold nanofibers from the cells reduces this effect, highlighting the importance of direct cell-material interactions. Together, these results establish high-aspect-ratio gold nanofibers provide structural cues capable of promoting neuronal differentiation within 3D bioprinted tissues and provide a strategy for engineering neuron-like microtissues without relying exclusively on chemical differentiation agents.
ER -