5 research outputs found
Poly(Propylene Fumarate)–Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite Can Be a Suitable Candidate for Cervical Cages
Functionalized Carbon Nanotube and Graphene Oxide Embedded Electrically Conductive Hydrogel Synergistically Stimulates Nerve Cell Differentiation
Nerve regeneration
after injury is a critical medical issue. In previous work, we have
developed an oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) (OPF) hydrogel
incorporated with positive charges as a promising nerve conduit. In
this study, we introduced cross-linkable bonds to graphene oxide and
carbon nanotube to obtain the functionalized graphene oxide acrylate
(GOa) and carbon nanotube poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate (CNTpega).
An electrically conductive hydrogel was then fabricated by covalently
embedding GOa and CNTpega within OPF hydrogel through chemical cross-linking
followed by <i>in situ</i> reduction of GOa in l-ascorbic acid solution. Positive charges were incorporated by 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyltrimethylammonium
chloride (MTAC) to obtain rGOaCNTpega-OPF-MTAC composite hydrogel
with both surface charge and electrical conductivity. The distribution
of CNTpega and GOa in the hydrogels was substantiated by transmission
electron microscopy (TEM), and strengthened electrical conductivities
were determined. Excellent biocompatibility was demonstrated for the
carbon embedded composite hydrogels. Biological evaluation showed
enhanced proliferation and spreading of PC12 cells on the conductive
hydrogels. After induced differentiation using nerve growth factor
(NGF), cells on the conductive hydrogels were effectively stimulated
to have robust neurite development as observed by confocal microscope.
A synergistic effect of electrical conductivity and positive charges
on nerve cells was also observed in this study. Using a glass mold
method, the composite hydrogel was successfully fabricated into conductive
nerve conduits with surficial positive charges. These results suggest
that rGOa-CNTpega-OPF-MTAC composite hydrogel holds great potential
as conduits for neural tissue engineering
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Promoting Neuronal Outgrowth Using Ridged Scaffolds Coated with Extracellular Matrix Proteins
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in cell death, demyelination, and axonal loss. The spinal cord has a limited ability to regenerate, and current clinical therapies for SCI are not effective in helping promote neurologic recovery. We have developed a novel scaffold biomaterial that is fabricated from the biodegradable hydrogel oligo(poly(ethylene glycol)fumarate) (OPF). We have previously shown that positively charged OPF scaffolds (OPF+) in an open spaced, multichannel design can be loaded with Schwann cells to support axonal generation and functional recovery following SCI. We have now developed a hybrid OPF+ biomaterial that increases the surface area available for cell attachment and that contains an aligned microarchitecture and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to better support axonal regeneration. OPF+ was fabricated as 0.08 mm thick sheets containing 100 μm high polymer ridges that self-assemble into a spiral shape when hydrated. Laminin, fibronectin, or collagen I coating promoted neuron attachment and axonal outgrowth on the scaffold surface. In addition, the ridges aligned axons in a longitudinal bipolar orientation. Decreasing the space between the ridges increased the number of cells and neurites aligned in the direction of the ridge. Schwann cells seeded on laminin coated OPF+ sheets aligned along the ridges over a 6-day period and could myelinate dorsal root ganglion neurons over 4 weeks. This novel scaffold design, with closer spaced ridges and Schwann cells, is a novel biomaterial construct to promote regeneration after SCI
Promoting Neuronal Outgrowth Using Ridged Scaffolds Coated with Extracellular Matrix Proteins
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in cell death, demyelination, and axonal loss. The spinal cord has a limited ability to regenerate, and current clinical therapies for SCI are not effective in helping promote neurologic recovery. We have developed a novel scaffold biomaterial that is fabricated from the biodegradable hydrogel oligo(poly(ethylene glycol)fumarate) (OPF). We have previously shown that positively charged OPF scaffolds (OPF+) in an open spaced, multichannel design can be loaded with Schwann cells to support axonal generation and functional recovery following SCI. We have now developed a hybrid OPF+ biomaterial that increases the surface area available for cell attachment and that contains an aligned microarchitecture and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to better support axonal regeneration. OPF+ was fabricated as 0.08 mm thick sheets containing 100 μm high polymer ridges that self-assemble into a spiral shape when hydrated. Laminin, fibronectin, or collagen I coating promoted neuron attachment and axonal outgrowth on the scaffold surface. In addition, the ridges aligned axons in a longitudinal bipolar orientation. Decreasing the space between the ridges increased the number of cells and neurites aligned in the direction of the ridge. Schwann cells seeded on laminin coated OPF+ sheets aligned along the ridges over a 6-day period and could myelinate dorsal root ganglion neurons over 4 weeks. This novel scaffold design, with closer spaced ridges and Schwann cells, is a novel biomaterial construct to promote regeneration after SCI