Enhancement of primary neuronal cell proliferation using printing‐transferred carbon nanotube sheets

Abstract

Artificial nerve guidance conduits (aNGCs) prepared from polymer scaffolds and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess unique chemical and physical properties, and have been widely used in preclinical trials to promote neuronal differentiation and growth. However, there have been only a few reports on the clinical applicability of CNT sheets for proliferation of primary neuronal cells due to safety concerns. The present study assesses the ability and potential applicability of multiwalled CNTs (MWNTs) composited with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sheets to promote and enhance the proliferation of primary neuronal cells. In this study, the aqueous MWNT dispersion was filtered, and the PDMS/MWNT sheets were prepared using a simple printing transfer method. Characterization of PDMS/MWNT sheets demonstrated their unique physical properties such as superior mechanical strength and electroconductivity when compared with PDMS sheets. The effect of the PDMS/MWNT sheets on the neural cell proliferation and cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT and alamar blue assays. Our results indicate the viability and proliferation of primary neuronal cells and Schwann cells in PDMS/MWNT sheets increased over twice when compared with a noncoated dish that is not usual in the primary neuronal cell growth control (p < 0.05). In addition, PDMS/MWNT sheets enhanced the adhesion and viability of the cells compared with poly-l-lysine coated dishes, which are most commonly used for improving cell adherence. Additionally, the PDMS/MWNT sheets exhibited excellent biocompatibility for culturing neuronal and Schwann cells. Overall, all assessments indicate that PDMS/MWNT sheets are ideal candidates for the development of artificial nerve conduits for clinical use following peripheral nerve injury.

Cultures of Schwann–like cells differentiated from adipose‐derived stem cells on PDMS/MWNT sheets as a scaffold for peripheral nerve regeneration

“…Our results indicate that Schwann‐like cells differentiated from ASCs are promising for treatment of peripheral nerve injuries, which is consistent with our previous study . Collectively, our findings imply that PDMS/MWNT sheets possess the ability to promote interneuronal communication, thereby indicating great potential for their application as a scaffold in peripheral nerve regeneration.…”

“…In the present study, we prepared a novel scaffold for peripheral nerve regeneration, in the form of polydimethylsiloxane/multiwalled CNT (PDMS/MWNT) sheets. The biocompatibility of the PDMS/MWNT sheets for SCs was previously confirmed . Here, we characterized the biocompatibility of the PDMS/MWNT sheets for dASCs.…”

“…The corresponding weight/area (W/A) of the MWNT deposition on the PDMS sheets was 0.486 mg/m −2 . More detailed information regarding preparation of the PDMS/MWNT sheets can be found in our previous work …”

In vivo feasibility test using transparent carbon nanotube‐coated polydimethylsiloxane sheet at brain tissue and sciatic nerve

“…Chen et al showed that silicone nerve guides filled with a collagen, laminin, and fibronectin‐based gel resulted in a more mature organization of regenerating axons compared to autografts, which provided tubular support for nerve regeneration . Furthermore, Sun and coworkers prepared PDMS/multiwalled CNT sheets as an effective scaffold for peripheral nerve regeneration, which showed good biocompatibility enhanced the proliferation of neural cells and Schwan cells in vitro …”

“…In this study, a unique film of MWNT‐coated PDMS (PM) with remarkable transparency and high biocompatibility was evaluated. Transparent conduit film was prepared by controlling MWNTs density on the coating surface via a printing transfer method . To examine biocompatibility, we determined the toxicity of PM sheets against neuroblastoma cells and investigated the cell adhesive ability on the surface of PM sheets.…”