Enhanced neuronal differentiation of pheochromocytoma 12 cells on polydopamine-modified surface

► We used polydopamine to modify the surface for culturing PC12 cells. ► Polydopamine enhanced PC12 cell adhesion/spreading decreasing apoptosis. ► Polydopamine, with NGF treatment, enhanced the neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. ► Polydopamine potentiated NGF induced Trk-Rho GTPase signal pathway. ► Polydopamine can be used for culturing less-adhesive cells including neural cells.