Ultrasound-activated piezoelectric P(VDF-TrFE)/boron nitride nanotube composite films promote differentiation of human SaOS-2 osteoblast-like cells

Nanomedicine. 2018 Oct;14(7):2421-2432. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2017.05.006. Epub 2017 May 26.

Abstract

Piezoelectric films of poly(vinylidenedifluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) and of P(VDF-TrFE)/boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) were prepared by cast-annealing and used for SaOS-2 osteoblast-like cell culture. Films were characterized in terms of surface and bulk features, and composite films demonstrated enhanced piezoresponse compared to plain polymeric films (d31 increased by ~80%). Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated in terms of calcium deposition, collagen I secretion, and transcriptional levels of marker genes (Alpl, Col1a1, Ibsp, and Sparc) in cells either exposed or not to ultrasounds (US); finally, a numerical model suggested that the induced voltage (~20-60 mV) is suitable for cell stimulation. Although preliminary, our results are extremely promising and encourage the use of piezoelectric P(VDF-TrFE)/BNNT films in bone tissue regeneration.

Keywords: Bone; Boron nitride nanotubes; Cell differentiation; P(VDF-TrFE); Piezoelectricity; Ultrasounds.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology
  • Boron Compounds / chemistry
  • Boron Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cell Survival
  • Electric Stimulation*
  • Humans
  • Nanotubes / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes / radiation effects
  • Osteosarcoma / drug therapy
  • Osteosarcoma / metabolism
  • Osteosarcoma / pathology*
  • Polyvinyls / chemistry*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Ultrasonography*

Substances

  • Boron Compounds
  • Polyvinyls
  • vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene copolymer
  • boron nitride