2D Ti3C2TxMXene couples electrical stimulation to promote proliferation and neural differentiation of neural stem cells

Rongrong Guo; Miao Xiao; Wanyu Zhao; Shan Zhou; Yangnan Hu; Menghui Liao; Shengping Wang; Xiaowei Yang; Renjie Chai; Mingliang Tang

doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2020.12.035

2D Ti₃C₂T_xMXene couples electrical stimulation to promote proliferation and neural differentiation of neural stem cells

Acta Biomater. 2022 Feb:139:105-117. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.12.035. Epub 2020 Dec 31.

Authors

Rongrong Guo¹, Miao Xiao², Wanyu Zhao³, Shan Zhou⁴, Yangnan Hu⁴, Menghui Liao⁴, Shengping Wang³, Xiaowei Yang⁵, Renjie Chai⁶, Mingliang Tang⁷

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Cardiovascular Science & Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
² Institute for Cardiovascular Science & Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
³ Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
⁴ Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
⁵ Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China. Electronic address: yangxw@tongji.edu.cn.
⁶ Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China. Electronic address: renjiec@seu.edu.cn.
⁷ Institute for Cardiovascular Science & Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China; Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China. Electronic address: mltang@suda.edu.cn.

PMID: 33348061
DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.12.035

Abstract

Preclinical studies involving stem cells require efficient physiochemical regulations on the fate of such cells. Because of their unique planar structure, metallic conductivity, and flexible surface functionalization, MXenes show potential for modulating stem cell fate. Here, the Ti₃C₂T_xMXenenanosheets are dispersed on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS). When primary mouse neural stem cells (NSCs) are cultured on laminin-coated Ti₃C₂T_xMXene film, they form stable adhesion, retain their proliferative ability, and show extensive spreading of terminal extensions. With respect to their functional activity, NSCs cultured on Ti₃C₂T_xMXene films form more active and synchronous network activity than those cultured on TCPS substrates. Moreover, Ti₃C₂T_xMXene film significantly promotes the neural differentiation and the neurons have longer neurites and greater numbers of branch points and branch tips. NSC-derived neurons grown on the Ti₃C₂T_x MXene film preserved normal synapse development. Finally, electrical stimulation coupled with Ti₃C₂T_xMXene film significantly enhances the proliferation of NSCs. These results indicate that Ti₃C₂T_xMXene is an efficient interface for the proliferation and neural differentiation of NSC and the maturation of NSC-derived neurons, which expands the potential uses of the MXene family of materials and provides new strategies for stem cell studies. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The 2DTi₃C₂T_xMXenenanosheets were applied to be an interface for regulating neural stem cells (NSCs). NSCs cultured on Ti₃C₂T_xMXene film possessed higher proliferative ability with higher and more synchronous electrical activities. Moreover, Ti₃C₂T_xMXene film significantly promoted the neural differentiation ratio of NSCs, and the neurons derived from NSCs cultured on Ti₃C₂T_xMXene film had longer neurites and greater numbers of branch points and branch tips.When electrical stimulation was applied to NSCs via the Ti₃C₂T_xMXene film, it significantly enhanced the proliferation of NSCs. This work expands the potential uses of the MXene family of materials and provides new strategies for stem cell studies.

Keywords: 2D MXene; Electrical stimulation, Differentiation; Neurons; Regeneration; Stem cells.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Cell Differentiation / physiology
Cell Proliferation
Cells, Cultured
Electric Stimulation
Mice
Neural Stem Cells*
Titanium* / pharmacology

Substances

Titanium