Polyaniline-polycaprolactone blended nanofibers for neural cell culture. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garrudo, Fábio F.F.; Chapman, Caitlyn A.; Hoffman, Pauline R.; Udangawa, Ranodhi W.; Silva, João C.; Mikael, Paiyz E.; Rodrigues, Carlos A.V.; Cabral, Joaquim M.S.; Morgado, Jorge M.F.; Ferreira, Frederico C.; Linhardt, Robert J.
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 117(2019)
• Page Start: 28
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Polyaniline -- Electrospinning -- Electroconductive nanofibers -- Neural stem cells -- Neural tissue engineering; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2019.04.048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Electroconductive PCL-PANI nanofibers can be produced using TFE. PCL-PANI fibers are characterized using FTIR, TGA, DSC, Mechanical tests. The maximum electroconductivity value achieved is 7.7 × 10 −2 S/cm. NSCs adhere and proliferate on all PCL-PANI samples tested. Abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases compromise the quality of life of increasing numbers of the world's aging population. While diagnosis is possible, no effective treatments are available. Using both tissue engineering and nanomedicine approaches, it is possible to develop systems appropriated for cell transplantation. Culturing neural stem cells (NSCs) on conductive polymers promotes their differentiation yield. The study herein aims at optimizing and characterizing NSC-compatible, electrically conductive poly(capro-ε-lactone) (PCL)-polyaniline (PANI) electrospun scaffolds for neural tissue engineering applications. Furthermore, the optimal PANI to PCL ratio required for ideal electroconductivity properties is still not well understood. The obtained fibers were characterized by FTIR, TGA and DSC, and their material's mechanical properties and electroconductivity, were investigated. For the first time, PCL-PANI fiber's biocompatibility was assessed in NSCs; cell adhesion, growth rate and morphology were evaluated and correlated with the material's physico-chemical properties. All the samples tested were able to support neural stem cell growth without any major changes on the cell's typical morphology. We were also successfully able to produce electrically conductive nanofibers with conductivities above of biological fluids (7.7 × 10 −2 S/cm vs 1.0 × 10 −2 S/cm), making these ideal candidates for in vitro neural differentiation studies under electrical stimulation. Overall, this study provides valuable knowledge to improve future, in vitro models for drug testing and tissue engineering applications.