Topographical and Electrical Stimulation of Neuronal Cells through Microwrinkled Conducting Polymer Biointerfaces

Abstract

The development of smart biointerfaces combining multiple functions is crucial for triggering a variety of cellular responses. In this work, wrinkled organic interfaces based on the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrene sulfonate) are developed with the aim to simultaneously convey electrical and topographical stimuli to cultured cells. The surface wrinkling of thin films on heat-shrink polymer sheets allows for rapid patterning of self-assembled anisotropic topographies characterized by micro/sub-microscale aligned wrinkles. The developed interfaces prove to support the growth and differentiation of neural cells (SH-SY5Y, human neuroblastoma) and are remarkably effective in promoting axonal guidance, by guiding and stimulating the neurite growth in differentiating cells. Electrical stimulation with biphasic pulses delivered through the conductive wrinkled interface is found to further promote the neurite growth, demonstrating the suitability of such interfaces as platforms for conveying multiple stimuli to cells and tissues.

Nano-Architectural Approaches for Improved Intracortical Interface Technologies

“…Topographical features are important to neural interfacing in terms of local cells, since mechanotransductive components in cells are able to perceive topographical features in the microenvironment. As a result, cells are able to convert mechanical stimuli information to corresponding physiological signals ( Altuntas et al, 2016 ; Schulte et al, 2016a , b ; Shi et al, 2016 ; Bonisoli et al, 2017 ; Maffioli et al, 2017 ). Those physiological signals are capable of eliciting further cellular responses and affecting cell function ( Bonisoli et al, 2017 ).…”

“…As a result, cells are able to convert mechanical stimuli information to corresponding physiological signals ( Altuntas et al, 2016 ; Schulte et al, 2016a , b ; Shi et al, 2016 ; Bonisoli et al, 2017 ; Maffioli et al, 2017 ). Those physiological signals are capable of eliciting further cellular responses and affecting cell function ( Bonisoli et al, 2017 ). Alterations in protein expression are associated with multiple processes: cell–cell adhesion, glycocalyx and ECM, integrin activation and membrane-F-actin linkage, cell–substrate interaction and integrin adhesion complexes, actomyosin organization/cellular mechanics, and nuclear organization and transcriptional regulation ( Yang et al, 2015 ).…”

“…The addition of nano-architecture on surfaces has been implicated to alter the phenotype of cells as well as control cell differentiation. Additionally, nano-architecture topographical features can provide guidance to neuronal extension, such as the direction and length of neuron growth, which promote neuronal regeneration ( Altuntas et al, 2016 ; Schulte et al, 2016a ; Shi et al, 2016 ; Bonisoli et al, 2017 ; Maffioli et al, 2017 ; Yang et al, 2017 ). Maffioli et al (2017) explored mechanosensing/transduction and cell differentiation with multiple surface topographies.…”

Electrically Conductive Polydopamine–Polypyrrole as High Performance Biomaterials for Cell Stimulation in Vitro and Electrical Signal Recording in Vivo

“…proliferation and differentiation of various cells). [16][17][18][19] For example, several reports successfully demonstrate promotion of neurite outgrowth of neuronal cells by electrical stimulation through conductive polymer scaffolds. In addition, CPmodified electrodes can efficiently record electrophysiological signals in electrically excitable tissues (e.g., nerves and muscles), which benefit the diagnosis of pathological and physiological conditions.…”

BMP-2 functionalized PEDOT:PSS-based OECTs for stem cell osteogenic differentiation monitoring

“…[18,21] Several devices have been developed based on this conducting polymer for a number of diverse applications embracing different fields such as tissue engineering, neural recording, neuromorphic computing, wearable and in vitro sensing. [22][23], [11], [24,25], [26][27][28] These materials hold promise for the electrical stimulation of osteogenic differentiation together with other electroactive materials and composite that have been explored for chronic electrical stimulation. [29,30] PEDOT:PSS-based organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are highly suited to sensing applications in aqueous environments, due to their ability to translate a biological event (e.g.…”