Accelerated calcification in electrically conductive polymer composites comprised of poly(ε‐caprolactone), polyaniline, and bioactive mesoporous silicon

Abstract

In this study the fabrication and characterization of an electrically conductive composite material comprised of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), polyaniline (PANi), and bioactive mesoporous silicon (BioSilicon) is discussed. The influence of PANi and silicon on calcium phosphate induction was assessed via ex vitro calcification analyses (by acellular simulated body fluid (SBF) exposure) both with and without electrical bias. Acceleration of calcium phosphate formation is one possible desirable feature of "smart" synthetic scaffolds for selected orthopedic-relevant applications. In addition, electrical stability assays were performed in growth medium (DMEM) to determine the stability of such structures to bias in an authentic electrolyte during a typical cell experiment. The cytocompatibility of the composites was evaluated in vitro using human kidney fibroblasts (HEK 293) cell proliferation assays, along with more orthopedically relevant mesenchymal stem cells from mouse stroma. Importantly, these composites demonstrate accelerated calcification in SBF when electrical bias is applied cathodically to the scaffold. Furthermore, these scaffolds exhibit noncytotoxic behavior in the presence of fibroblasts over an 8-day culture period, and attachment of stromal cells to the semiconducting scaffold was directly imaged via scanning electron microscopy. Overall, these results suggest that materials of this type of composition have potential merit as a biomaterial.

The stimulation of myoblast differentiation by electrically conductive sub-micron fibers

“…As electrically conductive material, PPy and PANi have been widely explored in diverse biological applications [27,[29][30][31][32]. Despite the potential of using electrically conductive polymers to control cell function, it is difficult to fabricate substrates with an appropriate three-dimensional structure from polymers such as PPy and PANi due to their brittleness and rigidity [20,27].…”

Application of conductive polymers, scaffolds and electrical stimulation for nerve tissue engineering

“…The inherent nature of neurons is to transmit electrochemical signals throughout the nervous system and, as a result, they are highly influenced by electrical stimuli (Yu et al, 2008b). Previous studies have shown that electrical stimulation is an effective cue in stimulating either the proliferation or differentiation of various cell types McCaig and Zhao, 1997;Sun et al, 2006;Ciombor and Aaron, 1993;Aaron and Ciombor, 1993;Goldman and Pollack, 1996;Dust and Bawornluck, 2006;Shi et al, 2008;Zhao et al,1996Zhao et al, , 1999Yaoita et al,1990;Guimarda et al, 2007;Rivers et al, 2002;Jeong et al, 2008;Whitehead et al, 2007;Ateh et al, 2006;Schmidt et al, 2003;Valentini et al, 1992). In this review we discuss the electrical properties of nerve cells, the most commonly utilized conductive polymers, namely polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PANI), the principle of electrical stimulation and the application of electrical stimulation through conductive scaffolds to nerve cells.…”

Application of Low-Frequency Alternating Current Electric Fields Via Interdigitated Electrodes: Effects on Cellular Viability, Cytoplasmic Calcium, and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

“…[3][4][5] Since the discovery of the natural electrical properties of bone, the idea of coupling endogenous and exogenous electrical activity has been introduced as a possible tool to promote bone fracture healing and differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells. [6][7][8][9][10] Mechanical and electrical stimuli have been known for some time to affect the properties and regenerative capacity of skeletal tissues. Extremely low-frequency electric fields significantly affect stem cell populations, by enhancing cell signaling pathways and differentiation.…”