Growth of rat cortical neurons on DuraGen, a collagen-based dural graft matrix

Abstract Objectives: DuraGen, a collagen-based dural graft matrix, is frequently used in clinical neurosurgery. In the present study we examined whether DuraGen influenced neuron survival of or process growth from cerebral cortex neurons in culture. Methods: Dissociated E19 rat cerebral cortical neurons were cultured at low density on poly-L-lysine or on cryostat-sectioned DuraGen. Neuron survival was assessed using morphological criteria, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and propidium iodide (PI), nuclear staining and TUNEL labeling. Process growth was analysed using specific antibodies against MAP2 and the 200 kDa neurofilament subunit (NF-H) to identify dendrites and axons, respectively. Results: In immature cultures (3 days in vitro, DIV), nearly 70% of the neurons remained viable in control and DuraGen-exposed cells. In mature cultures (10 DIV), ∼45% of the neurons were viable. Survival was similar in DuraGen cultures and controls. Cell viability also was similar when DuraGen conditioned the medium, but w...