Graphene for Controlled and Accelerated Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

Current tissue engineering approaches combine different scaffold materials with living cells to provide biological substitutes that can repair and eventually improve tissue functions. Both natural and synthetic materials have been fabricated for transplantation of stem cells and their specific differentiation into muscles, bones, and cartilages. One of the key objectives for bone regeneration therapy to be successful is to direct stem cells' proliferation and to accelerate their differentiation in a controlled manner through the use of growth factors and osteogenic inducers. Here we show that graphene provides a promising biocompatible scaffold that does not hamper the proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and accelerates their specific differentiation into bone cells. The differentiation rate is comparable to the one achieved with common growth factors, demonstrating graphene's potential for stem cell research.

Graphene and graphene oxide as nanomaterials for medicine and biology application

“…Recently, human mesenchymal stem cell neuronal differentiation (hMSCs) was seen on the surface of graphene, as it supports a cell-adhesive coat bearing electrifying coupling impact for stimulation of stem cell differentiation [102]. Likewise, graphene additionally improved the differentiation of bones in comparison to regular growth factor [28]. Graphene provides an environment in which mesenchymal stem cells of a human (hMSCs) are organized in a 3D spheroids manner, essential to produce neurons from hMSCs.…”

“…Graphene-based materials are used in the field of bone repair or organ regeneration. Both GO and rGO are utilized in osteogenic stem cells to study [28][29][30] chondrogenesis [31], adipogenesis [32], epithelial genesis [32], myogenesis, cardiomyogenesis [33,34] and neurogenesis [35].…”

“…Graphene is used for drug delivery [37], biomolecule recognition, bioassays and in molecular medicine. Graphene and its materials are extensively applied in antibacterial compositions [25,38,39], biosensing [40], energy storage [41], catalysis [42] and tissue scaffolds [28]. In this review, we have listed various uses of graphene and graphene-based materials in the biomedical field.…”

Synthesis and Biomedical Applications of Graphene: Present and Future Trends

“…Regarding their cell culture studies, an improvement of the osteogenic potential has been achieved using graphene-coated surfaces for the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and preosteoblasts into osteoblasts [95,96]. Cell culture studies of graphene oxide sheets also show promise as the suitable implant material [97].…”

Noninvasive Cell-Based Impedance Spectroscopy for Real-Time Probing Inhibitory Effects of Graphene Derivatives

“…10 Graphene has proven as a promising biocompatible scaffold that does not hamper the proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells, but accelerates their specificd i fferentiation into bone cells. 11 The safety issue with regard to potential toxic/cytotoxic responses is of utmost importance for large scale production and applications of such nanomaterials. For instance, CNTs have been considered for many applications; however issues have arisen due to their possible toxic effect.…”