fig7

Figure 7. The synergistic effect of BC/PPy gradient conductive membranes and EF on differentiation of PC12 cells. (A) Immunofluorescence images of PC12 cells after culturing on Control (petri dish), BC, non-stretched and stretched BC/PPy gradient conductive membranes in the absence or presence of electrical stimulation, respectively. Scale bars are 50 μm; (B and C) Quantitative analysis of the neurite-bearing (B), neurite length (C) of PC12 cells after culturing on Control (petri dish), BC, non-stretched lower and stretched lower BC/PPy gradient conductive membranes in the absence or presence of electrical stimulation, respectively. n = 3, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ^&P < 0.05, ^&&P < 0.01, ^&&&P < 0.001, & when compared with Control group under the same condition. ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01, ^###P < 0.001, # when compared with “-EF” groups under the same condition. ^$P < 0.05, ^$$$P < 0.001, $ when compared with non-stretched groups under the same condition. Error bars represent standard deviation (SD). BC: Bacterial cellulose; PPy: polypyrrole; EF: electric field; PC12: pheochromocytoma.