Electro-conductive chitosan/graphene bio-nanocomposite scaffold for tissue engineering of the central nervous system

Souvik Ghosh; Megha Dhiman; Sumeet Gupta; Partha Roy; Debrupa Lahiri

doi:10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213596

Electro-conductive chitosan/graphene bio-nanocomposite scaffold for tissue engineering of the central nervous system

Biomater Adv. 2023 Nov:154:213596. doi: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213596. Epub 2023 Aug 25.

Authors

Souvik Ghosh¹, Megha Dhiman², Sumeet Gupta³, Partha Roy⁴, Debrupa Lahiri⁵

Affiliations

¹ Biomaterials and Multiscale Mechanics Lab, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India; Molecular Endocrinology Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India; Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India.
² Biomaterials and Multiscale Mechanics Lab, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India; Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India.
³ Department of Pharmacy, Maharshi Markandeshwar University (Deemed to Be University), Mullana, Haryana 133207, India.
⁴ Molecular Endocrinology Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India.
⁵ Biomaterials and Multiscale Mechanics Lab, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India; Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India. Electronic address: debrupa.lahiri@gmail.com.

PMID: 37672898
DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213596

Abstract

Degenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorders and traumatic brain injuries are common nowadays. These may induce the loss of neuronal cells and delicate connections essential for optimal CNS function. The CNS tissue has restricted regeneration ability, hindering the development of effective therapies. Developing cell and tissue instructive materials may bring up new treatment possibilities. In this study, chitosan-graphene nano platelets (GNPs) composite films were developed to regenerate brain cells. This study evaluates the effects of GNP concentration (0.5, 1 and 2 wt%) and their alignment on mechanical, electrical, surface, protein adsorption and biological properties of the regenerative scaffolds. Incorporating and aligning GNPs into chitosan matrix improved all the physical and biological properties. On reinforced scaffolds, HT22 cell morphology mimics pyramidal brain cells, which are responsible for the brain's highly branched neural network. Additionally, the reinforced scaffolds supported Mesenchymal Stem like Cells growth and were biocompatible in vivo. The alignment of GNPs in the chitosan matrix offered the appropriate physicochemical and biological properties to promote adhesion, proliferation and shape morphogenesis of hippocampal HT22 neuronal cells. Overall, this study delineates the enormous potential offered by the GNP-reinforced scaffolds for regeneration of central nervous system, especially the brain.

Keywords: CNS regeneration; Chitosan; GNP; HT22 cells; Polymer-matrix composites.

MeSH terms

Central Nervous System
Chitosan* / chemistry
Graphite* / chemistry
Nanocomposites* / chemistry
Tissue Engineering

Substances

Chitosan
Graphite