Layer‐by‐layer assembly of polyelectrolyte films improving cytocompatibility to neural cells

Abstract

The using of layer-by-layer assembly polyelectrolyte (PE) films has been suggested as a new versatile technique for surface modification aimed at tissue engineering and cell-based chips. In this study, we investigated the surface morphology of the hyaluronic acid (HA)-based PE films deposited on the amino-functionalized glass slides using atomic force microscopy. These thin films (bilayer number <9) were measured to have nanoscale roughness ranging from 10 to 100 nm. Then the primary hippocampal and cortical neural cells were cultured on the PE films, respectively. After 5 days of culturing, the cytocompatibility to neural cells was evaluated by cellular morphology, neurite outgrowth, and microtubule-associated protein 2 expressions. From the present results, the HA-based PE films were found to be able to support neural cell adhesion and neurite development, especially for the polycation-ending films. It is suggested these HA-based multilayer PE films or similar build-ups could thus be used in the future as a way to modify surfaces for nerve scaffolds and neuron-based chips.

Multiple Functionalities of Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films: New Biomedical Applications

“…For instance, neuronal cells were found to adhere to COL/HA films. [179] The outer layer chemistry has been found to be important in some cases as COL ending films showed improved adhesion, but COL was not necessary for adhesion. Cortical neurons and hippocampal neurons were sensitive to a different surface chemistry.…”

Polyelectrolyte droplets facilitate versatile layer-by-layer coating for protein loading interface

“…The resulting ultrathin membrane facilitates a fine biointerface. Cui et al reported improvement of cytocompatibility using LbL assembly [8]. We have also published a number of papers on LbL assemblies, showing that the resulting ultrathin layer is a good candidate for biomedical application and stereo-regular polymer synthesis [9][10][11][12].…”

Self Assembling and Crosslinking of Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films of Chitosan and Alginate Studied by QCM and IR Spectroscopy

“…[9] Most of natural polyelectrolytes that have been used are polysaccharides, such as dextran derivatives, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronan and chitosan (CHI). [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] In this context, CHI has been especially interesting as it is the only positively charged polysaccharide that is readily available. CHI is a biodegradable, non-toxic and biocompatible material with interesting properties for use in tissue engineering and other biomedical applications.…”