Graphene Hybrid Materials for Controlling Cellular Microenvironments

Abstract

Cellular microenvironments are known as key factors controlling various cell functions, including adhesion, growth, migration, differentiation, and apoptosis. Many materials, including proteins, polymers, and metal hybrid composites, are reportedly effective in regulating cellular microenvironments, mostly via reshaping and manipulating cell morphologies, which ultimately affect cytoskeletal dynamics and related genetic behaviors. Recently, graphene and its derivatives have emerged as promising materials in biomedical research owing to their biocompatible properties as well as unique physicochemical characteristics. In this review, we will highlight and discuss recent studies reporting the regulation of the cellular microenvironment, with particular focus on the use of graphene derivatives or graphene hybrid materials to effectively control stem cell differentiation and cancer cell functions and behaviors. We hope that this review will accelerate research on the use of graphene derivatives to regulate various cellular microenvironments, which will ultimately be useful for both cancer therapy and stem cell-based regenerative medicine.

Chasing Graphene-Based Anticancer Drugs: Where are We Now on the Biomedical Graphene Roadmap?

“… 9 Other studies report the use of graphene as a specific hybrid to attach graphene compounds in order to form composite nanoparticles with increased drug-binding capacity, greater water solubility and the ability to control drug release as a result of physiological changes (ionic strength). 54 , 60 , 61 Lin et al (2013) proved that DOX, loaded on GO with functionalized folic acid, increases the cytotoxicity against OCM-1 human choroidal melanoma cells (viability <20%) whereas the DOX-GO hybrid induced significantly lower cytotoxicity (~40% viability) relative to control human ARPE-19 retinal pigment epithelial cells (after 24 hours of incubation). In addition, it has been shown to be able to load almost 100% DOX up to a concentration of 0.2 mg DOX/mg GO.…”

“…This is mainly the result of the activation of apoptotic pathways under the influence of 15-minute exposure to visible light (48.6 J cm −2 ). 61 …”

“…Kim et al (2020) reported the possibility of regulating the cellular microenvironment, using graphene derivatives or graphene hybrid materials to effectively control cell differentiation and function, and consequently biological responsiveness of cancer cells. 61 Interestingly, the effect of graphene particle size on cell viability have not been much examined by researchers. Another important issue is the diffusion of particles through biological membranes, which can act as barriers and limit the penetration of graphene structures.…”

Extremely Uniform Graphene Oxide Thin Film as a Universal Platform for One‐Step Biomaterial Patterning

“…[10][11][12] Such a strategy has been further extended to the use of graphene for guiding cellular differentiation into specific lineages, including the osteogenesis and neurogenesis of stem cells. [13][14][15] Despite the usefulness of graphene in biological applications, one of its major drawbacks is its costly and complex fabrication process. [16] Layer-controlled pure graphene is generally obtained via chemical vapor deposition (CVD); however, this method requires expensive instruments, high-purity carbon and hydrogen sources, and catalytic metals.…”