Graphene oxide and electroactive reduced graphene oxide-based composite fibrous scaffolds for engineering excitable nerve tissue

Abstract

This study systematically investigates the role of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced GO/silkbased composite micro/nano-fibrous scaffolds in regulating neuronal cell behavior in vitro, given the limited comparative studies on the effects of graphene family materials on nerve regeneration. Fibrous scaffolds can mimic the architecture of the native extracellular matrix and are potential candidates for tissue engineering peripheral nerves. Silk/GO micro/nanofibrous scaffolds were electrospun with GO loadings 1% to 10% wt., and optionally postreduced in situ to explore a family of electrically conductive non-woven silk/rGO scaffolds.Conductivities up to 4×10 −5 S cm −1 were recorded in the dry state, which increased up to 3×10 −4 S cm −1 after hydration. Neuronoma NG108-15 cells adhered and were viable on all substrates.Enhanced metabolic activity and proliferation were observed on the GO-containing scaffolds, and these cell responses were further promoted for electroactive silk/rGO. Neurite extensions up to 100 μm were achieved by day 5, with maximum outgrowth up to ~250 μm on some of the conductive substrates. These electroactive composite fibrous scaffolds exhibit potential to enhance the neuronal cell response and could be versatile supportive substrates for neural tissue engineering applications.

Benefits in the Macrophage Response Due to Graphene Oxide Reduction by Thermal Treatment

“…Thus, when biomedical engineers design graphene-based scaffolds, the aspects related to the targeted biomedical scenario, such as scaffold biodegradation and its kinetics, should be carefully probed and understood to avoid an immune response and allow us to fully exploit the potential of GBM. In this context, numerous in vitro and in vivo studies with rGO-prepared scaffolds have shown promising results for the regeneration of different tissues [7,[60][61][62][63].…”

Graphene Oxide: Opportunities and Challenges in Biomedicine

“…Apart from the important effect of GO concentration, the dryness or wetness state of the scaffold also affects its final properties. A new study in 2021 revealed that the conductivity, metabolic activity, and cell proliferation of the scaffold, which is a combination of silk fibroin and GO (or rGO), increases after hydration [ 40 ]. Due to the limited dispersibility of graphene-based materials (particularly pure graphene) in solvents, the conventional electrospinning method is not considered to be an efficient strategy.…”

Collagen/chitosan-functionalized graphene oxide hydrogel provide a 3D matrix for neural stem/precursor cells survival, adhesion, infiltration and migration

“…These results are consistent with previous reports that GO led to enhance hydrophilic regions and swelling rate. 59 Degradation rate plays a critical role in neural tissue engineering. Lower degradation rate of GO can modulate degradation time of natural polymers.…”

“…The interconnected inner-space architecture in Col/CSGO nanocomposite hydrogel is similar to pure collagen Previous reports have been shown that pore diameter of the scaffolds were increased when carbon based nanomaterial were added. 59,61 A scaffold with high sufficient pore size and interconnected pores can facilitate cell penetration and diffusion of nutrients. Pore size of 100-500 µm have suggested as an ideal for cell seeding, vascularization and diffusion of growth factors and nutrients into the scaffold and surrounding tissue.…”

“…These difference could be attributed to surface roughness and protein attachment. 59 Previous studies reported that carbon-based nanomaterials like graphene and its derivatives could increase roughness. 35 Aidun et al 62 reported better cell adhesion on GO incorporated polycaprolactone/chitosan/ The data are presented as mean ± SD of the mean (n = 9).…”