The ability of electroactive
materials to influence and modulate
cell behavior has been revealing great potential, especially in the
field of skeletal muscle tissue engineering. Herein, we propose PANi-GG
electroactive spongy-like hydrogels as potential materials to modulate
myoblast bioresponse. polyaniline (PANi) adds electroconductiviy to
gellan gum (GG) spongy-like hydrogels that hold a high resemblance
to the extracellular matrix (ECM), that is, water content, mechanical
properties, and microarchitecture, and that can be further tuned to
meet muscle tissue properties. For this purpose, PANi-GG spongy-like
hydrogels were obtained by ionically cross-linking with calcium chloride
(CaCl2) and further in situ aniline polymerization through
oxidation with ammonium persulfate (APS) in a molar ratio of 1:1.05.
The physicochemical characterization, surface morphology, electro-conductivity,
and mechanical performance were assessed by FTIR, SEM, four-point
probe technique, and compression testing, respectively. The viability
and proliferation of L929 was not compromised after direct contact
of PANi-GG spongy-like hydrogels with L929 cells, as determined by
MTS assay and DNA quantification, respectively. C2C12 myoblasts were
entrapped within the electroactive materials and cells adhered and
spread. Moreover, cells proliferated along the cell culture period
showing myosin expression after 7 days of culture. These results highlight
that PANi-GG spongy like hydrogels are attractive candidates to be
used in skeleton muscle tissue engineering.
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