Polymeric ionically conductive composite matrices and electrical stimulation strategies for nerve regeneration: In vitro characterization

Ohan S. Manoukian, Scott Stratton, Michael R. Arul, Joshua Moskow, Naseem Sardashti, Xiaojun Yu, Swetha Rudraiah, Sangamesh G. Kumbar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Stem cell strategies and the use of electrical stimulation (ES) represent promising new frontiers for peripheral nerve regeneration. Composite matrices were fabricated by coating electrospun polycaprolactone/cellulose acetate micro–nanofibers with chitosan and ionically conductive (IC) polymers including, sulfonated polyaniline, and lignin sulfonate. These composite matrices were characterized for surface morphology, coating uniformity, ionic conductivity, and mechanical strength to explore as scaffold materials for nerve regeneration in conjunction with ES. Composite matrices measured conductivity in the range of 0.0049–0.0068 mS/m due to the uniform coating of sulfonated polymers on the micro–nanofibers. Thin films (2D) and composite fiber matrices (3D) of IC polymers seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were electrically stimulated at 0.5 V, 20 Hz for 1 h daily for 14 days to study the changes in cell viability, morphology, and expression of the neuronal-like phenotype. In vitro ES lead to changes in hMSCs' fibroblast morphology into elongated neurite-like structures with cell bodies for ES-treated and positive control growth factor-treated groups. Immunofluorescent staining revealed the presence of neuronal markers including β3-tubulin, microtubule-associated protein 2, and nestin in response to ES.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1792-1805
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part B Applied Biomaterials
Volume107
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2019

Keywords

  • electrical stimulation
  • ionic conductivity
  • micro–nanofiber
  • nerve regeneration
  • scaffold

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