Biocompatible chitosan/polyethylene glycol/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite scaffolds for neural tissue engineering.

Shengbo Sang; Rong Cheng; Yanyan Cao; Yayun Yan; Zhizhong Shen; Yajing Zhao; Yanqing Han

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Biocompatible chitosan/polyethylene glycol/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite scaffolds for neural tissue engineering.

Author: Shengbo SANG ¹ ; Rong CHENG ² ; Yanyan CAO ² ; Yayun YAN ² ; Zhizhong SHEN ² ; Yajing ZHAO ² ; Yanqing HAN ³
Author Information

1. Shanxi Key Laboratory of Micro Nano Sensors & Artificial Intelligence Perception, College of Information and Computer, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China. sunboa-sang@tyut.edu.cn.
2. Shanxi Key Laboratory of Micro Nano Sensors & Artificial Intelligence Perception, College of Information and Computer, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China.
3. Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial Cardiovascular Hospital, Taiyuan 030024, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Biocompatibility; Cell-scaffold; Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT); PC12 cells
MeSH: Animals; Axons; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry*; Chitosan/chemistry*; Nanotubes, Carbon/chemistry*; Nerve Regeneration; Polyethylene Glycols; Porosity; Rats; Tissue Engineering/methods*; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry*
From: Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2022;23(1):58-73
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) composite materials are very attractive for use in neural tissue engineering and biosensor coatings. CNT scaffolds are excellent mimics of extracellular matrix due to their hydrophilicity, viscosity, and biocompatibility. CNTs can also impart conductivity to other insulating materials, improve mechanical stability, guide neuronal cell behavior, and trigger axon regeneration. The performance of chitosan (CS)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) composite scaffolds could be optimized by introducing multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs). CS/PEG/CNT composite scaffolds with CNT content of 1%, 3%, and 5% (1%=0.01 g/mL) were prepared by freeze-drying. Their physical and chemical properties and biocompatibility were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the composite scaffolds had a highly connected porous structure. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy proved that the CNTs were well dispersed in the CS/PEG matrix and combined with the CS/PEG nanofiber bundles. MWCNTs enhanced the elastic modulus of the scaffold. The porosity of the scaffolds ranged from 83% to 96%. They reached a stable water swelling state within 24 h, and swelling decreased with increasing MWCNT concentration. The electrical conductivity and cell adhesion rate of the scaffolds increased with increasing MWCNT content. Immunofluorescence showed that rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells grown in the scaffolds had characteristics similar to nerve cells. We measured changes in the expression of nerve cell markers by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and found that PC12 cells cultured in the scaffolds expressed growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), and class III β‍-tubulin (TUBB3) proteins. Preliminary research showed that the prepared CS/PEG/CNT scaffold has good biocompatibility and can be further applied to neural tissue engineering research.