Gold Nanoparticle-Decorated Scaffolds Promote Neuronal Differentiation and Maturation

Abstract

Engineered 3D neuronal networks are considered a promising approach for repairing the damaged spinal cord. However, the lack of a technological platform encouraging axonal elongation over branching may jeopardize the success of such treatment. To address this issue we have decorated gold nanoparticles on the surface of electrospun nanofiber scaffolds, characterized the composite material, and investigated their effect on the differentiation, maturation, and morphogenesis of primary neurons and on an immature neuronal cell line. We have shown that the nanocomposite scaffolds have encouraged a longer outgrowth of the neurites, as judged by the total length of the branching trees and the length and total distance of neurites. Moreover, neurons grown on the nanocomposite scaffolds had less neurites originating out of the soma and lower number of branches. Taken together, these results indicate that neurons cultivated on the gold nanoparticle scaffolds prefer axonal elongation over forming complex branching trees. We envision that such cellular constructs may be useful in the future as implantable cellular devices for repairing damaged neuronal tissues, such as the spinal cord.

Gold Nanoparticles for Modulating Neuronal Behavior

“…Recently Baranes et al reported a nerve guide fabricated with electrospun nanofibers doped with 10 nm Au NPs (shown schematically in Figure 2c). The scaffolds encouraged a longer outgrowth of the neurites in primary neurons of the medicinal leech, preferring axonal elongation over the formation of complex networks [27]. Similarly, Das and coworkers reported on a nerve guide fabricated by adsorbing Au NPs onto silk fibers.…”

“…( a ) Examples of epifluorescence images of NG108-15 neuronal cells cultured alone or with Au NRs and exposed to different laser irradiances, as indicated in each panel. Cells were marked for β-III tubulin (in red) and DAPI (in blue, reproduced with permission from [49]); ( b ) Spontaneous remyelination by Schwann cells (myelin marker P0, in red) was enhanced in mice treated with polyethylene glycol-coated Au NPs (reproduced with permission from [7]); ( c ) schematic representation of electrospun nanofibers doped with 10 nm Au NPs (reproduced with permission from [27]).…”

Nanoparticle Technologies in the Spinal Cord

“…Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) coated on the surface of gold nanoparticles can promote recovery following SCI [Papastefanaki et al, 2015]. Gold nanoparticle-decorated tissue engineering scaffolds have been shown to promote increased axon extension of cultured neurons [Baranes et al, 2016]. The optical absorption of gold nanorods can be tuned in the visible to near-infrared range [Paviolo et al, 2013].…”

Gold nanoparticles enhance TRAIL sensitivity through Drp1-mediated apoptotic and autophagic mitochondrial fission in NSCLC cells

“…9,10 All these properties render AuNPs as a versatile nanoplatform for emerging biomedical applications in the design of biosensors, targeted drug delivery vehicles, photothermal therapy, and diagnostic bioimaging. 11 Recently, AuNPs have been extensively employed as emerging therapeutic agents for the treatment of AIDS, 12 Parkinson's disease, 13 and diabetes, 14 or controlling neural stem/progenitor cell renewal 15 and promoting osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. [16][17][18] Furthermore, AuNPs are also exploited as a novel class of antitumor agents in cancer therapy through inhibiting angiogenesis and ablating the tumor microvasculature, 19 enhancing chemosensitivity of cancer cells by reversing epithelial-mesenchymal transition, 20 preventing tumor growth and metastasis via abrogating growth factor signaling cascades, 21 and boosting the antitumor immune response as a vaccine platform.…”