Adhesion proteins for a tight neuron-electrode contact

The neural cell adhesion molecules axonin-1 and NgCAM have been genetically engineered and covalently immobilized on glass and silicon oxide surfaces in their correct orientation. Surfaces treated with these adhesion molecule s were used as substrates for culturing dorsal loot ganglion neurons. The c left between the neuron cell membrane and thr sur face was determined using fluorescence interference contrast (FLIC) microscopy. For comparison, cell -material distances on laminin. RGDC, polylysine and amino-terminated surfa ces were measured. When the neurons grow on axonin-1 the cell-surface dista nce is at a minimum (37 nm) probably because the glycocalyx hinders a close r contact. A selective treatment of extracellular electrodes with axonin-1 could be used to improve the cell material contact and thus increase extrac ellularly recorded signals. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reser ved.