Early Recognition of the PCL/Fibrous Carbon Nanocomposites Interaction with Osteoblast-like Cells by Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a biocompatible resorbable material, but its use is limited due to the fact that it is characterized by the lack of cell adhesion to its surface. Various chemical and physical methods are described in the literature, as well as modifications with various nanoparticles aimed at giving it such surface properties that would positively affect cell adhesion. Nanomaterials, in the form of membranes, were obtained by the introduction of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs and functionalized nanotubes, MWCNTs-f) as well as electro-spun carbon nanofibers (ESCNFs, and functionalized nanofibers, ESCNFs-f) into a PCL matrix. Their properties were compared with that of reference, unmodified PCL membrane. Human osteoblast-like cell line, U-2 OS (expressing green fluorescent protein, GFP) was seeded on the evaluated nanomaterial membranes at relatively low confluency and cultured in the standard cell culture conditions. The attachment and the growth of the cell populations on the polymer and nanocomposite samples were monitored throughout the first week of culture with fluorescence microscopy. Simultaneously, Raman microspectroscopy was also used to track the dependence of U-2 OS cell development on the type of nanomaterial, and it has proven to be the best method for the early detection of nanomaterial/cell interactions. The differentiation of interactions depending on the type of nanoadditive is indicated by the ν(COC) vibration range, which indicates the interaction with PCL membranes with carbon nanotubes, while it is irrelevant for PCL with carbon nanofibers, for which no changes are observed. The vibration range ω(CH2) indicates the interaction for PCL with carbon nanofibers with seeded cells. The crystallinity of the area ν(C=O) increases for PCL/MWCNTs and for PCL/MWCNTs-f, while it decreases for PCL/ESCNFs and for PCL/ESCNFs-f with seeded cells. The crystallinity of the membranes, which is determined by Raman microspectroscopy, allows for the assessment of polymer structure changes and their degradability caused by the secretion of cell products into the ECM and the differentiation of interactions depending on the carbon nanostructure. The obtained nanocomposite membranes are promising bioactive materials.

Controllable Fabrication of SiC@C-Fe3O4 Hybrids and Their Excellent Electromagnetic Absorption Properties

“…Simultaneously, the peaks at ~1342, ~1600 cm −1 for all SCF samples are apparent and not shown in the pristine SiC nw sample. Based on our previous work, it is demonstrated that they are caused by the disordered D-mode and ordered G-mode of carbon, respectively [29][30][31]. This means the core-shell structure may be reserved well after the growing process (Figure S1) of metal oxide, which can be proven by microstructure observation.…”

“…Simultaneously, the peaks at ~1342, ~1600 cm −1 for all SCF samples are apparent and not shown in the pristine SiCnw sample. Based on our previous work, it is demonstrated that they are caused by the disordered D-mode and ordered G-mode of carbon, respectively [29][30][31]. This means the Figure 2 shows that there are several Raman peaks for SCF samples, located at 680 cm −1 , 796 cm −1 , 973 cm −1 , ~1342 cm −1 , and ~1600 cm −1 .…”

Recent advances on 3D-printed PCL-based composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

“…CNTs are materials with known chemical, electrical, mechanical, and structural properties, while their combination with PCL improves the electrical conductivity of the resulting composite and induces bone healing ( Peidavosi et al, 2022 ). Carbon nanotubes are often used as imaging agents and carriers of bioactive molecules ( Saito et al, 2008 ; Gonçalves et al, 2016 ; Wesełucha-Birczyńska et al, 2021 ). Also, graphene is another ceramic material whose combination with PCL improves its processability, cell attachment, mechanical properties, biological function, and conductivity.…”

Nanomaterials Modulating the Fate of Dental-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Involved in Oral Tissue Reconstruction: A Systematic Review

“…However, its application has some limitations due to the weak adhesion of cells on its surface. 135,136 To overcome its shortcomings, PCL nano synthesis materials, which are biodegradable, non-toxic, and stable, are often used in practical applications and have been shown to have different degrees of positive effects on the proliferation, viability, adhesion, and differentiation of various cells. [137][138][139] In the context of these studies, the application of PCL nanomaterials in repairing oral and maxillofacial tissue defects is also expected.…”