Abstract
The using of layer‐by‐layer assembly polyelectrolyte (PE) films has been suggested as a new versatile technique for surface modification aimed at tissue engineering and cell‐based chips. In this study, we investigated the surface morphology of the hyaluronic acid (HA)‐based PE films deposited on the amino‐functionalized glass slides using atomic force microscopy. These thin films (bilayer number <9) were measured to have nanoscale roughness ranging from 10 to 100 nm. Then the primary hippocampal and cortical neural cells were cultured on the PE films, respectively. After 5 days of culturing, the cytocompatibility to neural cells was evaluated by cellular morphology, neurite outgrowth, and microtubule‐associated protein 2 expressions. From the present results, the HA‐based PE films were found to be able to support neural cell adhesion and neurite development, especially for the polycation‐ending films. It is suggested these HA‐based multilayer PE films or similar build‐ups could thus be used in the future as a way to modify surfaces for nerve scaffolds and neuron‐based chips. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2007