Bioactive effects of graphene oxide cell culture substratum on structure and function of human adipose‐derived stem cells

Abstract

Nanoscale topography of artificial substrates can greatly influence the fate of stem cells including adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Thus the design and manipulation of nanoscale stem cell culture platforms or scaffolds are of great importance as a strategy in stem cell and tissue engineering applications. In this report, we propose that a graphene oxide (GO) film is an efficient platform for modulating structure and function of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs). Using a self-assembly method, we successfully coated GO on glass for fabricating GO films. The hASCs grown on the GO films showed increased adhesion, indicated by a large number of focal adhesions, and higher correlation between the orientations of actin filaments and vinculin bands compared to hASCs grown on the glass (uncoated GO substrate). It was also found that the GO films showed the stronger affinity for hASCs than the glass. In addition, the GO film proved to be a suitable environment for the time-dependent viability of hASCs. The enhanced differentiation of hASCs included osteogenesis, adipogenesis, and epithelial genesis, while chondrogenic differentiation of hASCs was decreased, compared to tissue culture polystyrene as a control substrate. The data obtained here collectively demonstrates that the GO film is an efficient substratum for the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of hASCs.

Synthesis, toxicity, biocompatibility, and biomedical applications of graphene and graphene-related materials

“…Recently, the usage of graphene in stem cell research has been increased due to its unique properties. 185 Liu et al 186 fabricated efficient glucose biosensors through covalent attachment of carboxyl acid groups to GO sheets at the amine residue of GO. The biosensors showed not only good reproducibility and good storage stability but also good adhesion; differentiation of ARPE-19 cells on the GO film was visualized after 72 hours of culture.…”

Is Graphene a Promising Nano-Material for Promoting Surface Modification of Implants or Scaffold Materials in Bone Tissue Engineering?

“…7,10,54 Although GO or rGO films and sheets have been used in different experiments, the main form of a single layer of GO or rGO film or sheet is as a flake or microflake with a diameter less than several micrometers. [5][6][7]10,[51][52][53] However, CVD-grown graphene can be formed as a large-scale sheet as long as a sufficiently large substrate is used for growing the product, Currently, it is easy to coat scaffolds or substrates with a planar or regular surface. However, GO and rGO can be easily coated onto scaffolds with irregular or 3D structures, and they can be easily grafted with other chemicals and form new hybrid surfaces or materials.…”

“…The biological activity of graphene-based materials can be associated with their capacities to affect molecular processes and functions. 50 Based on current experiments with regard to cell behaviors in these materials (Table 1), the applications of graphene and its derivatives can be categorized into three types: G sheet, 4,5,51 GO flakes, 6,8,9,11,12,52,53 and rGO flakes, which are directly reduced from GO. 7,10,54 Although GO or rGO films and sheets have been used in different experiments, the main form of a single layer of GO or rGO film or sheet is as a flake or microflake with a diameter less than several micrometers.…”

Emerging nanotechnology approaches in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

“…5 Furthermore, a graphene oxide film coating on a glass slide was shown to enhance the adhesion and osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells. 25 Systematic understanding of the mechanisms of spatiotemporal regulation of the mechanotransduction pathways involved in cell-matrix interactions will be useful for designing and fabricating further improved biomimetic nanoscaffolds that can even release bioactive reagents in a controlled manner in vivo. Engineering of cell sheets could also be a potential tool for constructing scaffold-free, three-dimensional tissues using the more responsive polymers.…”