Robust cell migration and neuronal growth on pristine carbon nanotube sheets and yarns

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have unique chemical and physical properties anticipated to enable broad novel biomedical applications. Yet the question concerning their biocompatibility remains controversial. We recently reported a method for rapidly preparing strong, highly electrically conducting sheets and yarns from multi-walled CNTs. The present studies demonstrate that highly oriented 50-nm-thick semi-transparent CNT sheets and yarns, produced with a minimal residual content of catalytic transition materials, support the long-term growth of a variety of cell types ranging from skin fibroblasts and Schwann cells, to postnatal cortical and cerebellar neurons. We show that CNT sheets stimulate fibroblast cell migration compared to plastic and glass culture substrates; entice neuronal growth to the level of those achieved on polyornithine-coated glass and can be used for directed cellular growth. These findings have positive implications for the use of CNTs in applications such as tissue engineering, wound healing, neural interfaces and biosensors.

Self-standing aligned fiber scaffold fabrication by two photon photopolymerization

“…In order to engineer virtually human tissue, artificial 3D cell culture scaffolds such as 3D fibrous matrices have been designed and applied to support cell and tissue growth (Hutmacher 2001; Lee et al 2008). The scaffolds are typically fabricated with fiber based structures by fiber bonding (Mikos et al 1993), electrospinning (Chen et al 2007;Ji et al 2006;Murugan and Ramakrishna 2007), weaving (Chen et al 2004;Cooper et al 2005), fuseddeposition modeling (Yeong et al 2004) and carbon nanotube yarns (Galvan-Garcia et al 2007). Fibrous structures tend to enhance cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation functions (Lee et al 2008).…”

Implantable Electrodes with Carbon Nanotube Coatings

“…CNTs tend to create an effective anchoring site for neurons and glial cell differentiation (Jang et al, 2010;Sorkin et al, 2009). CNT coated surfaces are neuro-adhesive in in vitro scenarios (Galvan-Garcia et al, 2007). We believe this is an indication of a more generalized, also in vivo, behavior: certain kinds of CNT perform well when implanted in any excitable tissue.…”

“…(Sorkin et al, 2009). The neurons move towards CNT covered surfaces and single neurons move particularly towards the CNT surfaces (Galvan-Garcia et al, 2007). …”

Nanostructured carbon electrodes

“…An emerging area of activity is in the use of nanostructured carbon electrodes as platforms for mammalian cell growth, with the prospect of using electrical stimulation to enhance and/or direct growth. 162 It has been shown that mammalian cells will grow readily on CNT platforms 163 including fibers. 162,164 More recently nanostructured graphene electrodes have been shown to be non-cytotoxic.…”

“…162 It has been shown that mammalian cells will grow readily on CNT platforms 163 including fibers. 162,164 More recently nanostructured graphene electrodes have been shown to be non-cytotoxic.…”