Accelerated Neurite Outgrowth and Neurogenesis of PC12 Cells on an Fe-doped TiO2 Nanorod Film Triggered by Visible Light.

Acceleration of neurite outgrowth and neuronal differentiation of neural cells are critical for effective neural tissue regeneration. In addition to biochemical cues, biomaterials have proven to be a valuable tool for engineering neural cellular physiological processes. However, strategies with convenient potential spatiotemporal control are still desirable. We here design a novel Fe-doped TiO2 nanorod film using hemoglobin as the Fe source to endow it with visible-light-responsive regulated surface hydroxyl groups (-OH), which was demonstrated as the central role in mediating cell-material interactions in our previous study. The acceleration of neurite outgrowth and neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells might be attributed to the upregulated distinct terminal hydroxyl groups triggered by visible light. We also demonstrate that the actin cytoskeletal system plays a pivotal role during these processes, approved by the inhibition experiment results. This study therefore sheds light on the regulation of neurite outgrowth and neuronal differentiation of neural cells using a convenient spatiotemporal controllable strategy.