Modulation of Neuronal Cell Affinity on PEDOT–PSS Nonwoven Silk Scaffolds for Neural Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injury is a common consequence of trauma with low regenerative potential. Electroconductive scaffolds can provide appropriate cell growth microenvironments and synergistic cell guidance cues for nerve tissue engineering. In the present study, electrically conductive scaffolds were prepared by conjugating poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT–PSS) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-treated PEDOT–PSS on electrospun silk scaffolds. Conductance could be tuned by the coating concentration and was further boosted by DMSO treatment. Analogue NG108-15 neuronal cells were cultured on the scaffolds to evaluate neuronal cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Cellular viability was maintained on all scaffold groups while showing comparatively better metabolic activity and proliferation than neat silk. DMSO-treated PEDOT–PSS functionalized scaffolds partially outperformed their PEDOT–PSS counterparts. Differentiation assessments suggested that these PEDOT–PSS assembled silk scaffolds could support neurite sprouting, indicating that they show promise to be used as a future platform to restore electrochemical coupling at the site of injury and preserve normal nerve function.

Porous PEDOT:PSS Particles and their Application as Tunable Cell Culture Substrate

“…While the stiffer high‐crystalline microcarriers could be applied to promote bone healing and regeneration, [ 15,72,73 ] low‐crystalline microcarriers could be beneficial for softer electrically sensitive tissues such as muscle or nerve. [ 74 ]…”

Nylon 6 Nanofiber Web-Based Signal Transmission Line Treated with PEDOT:PSS and DMSO Treatment

“…Additionally, 1.3 wt% poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) dispersion in aqueous solution was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA, and its specifications are presented in Table 2. For solvent treatment, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (99.9%) obtained from Deoksan Chemical Industry, Korea, was diluted in distilled water to 5 vol% [22,23]. For enhanced electrical conductivity, 0.05 mL of 5 vol% DMSO was added to 0.5 mL of 1.3 wt% PEDOT:PSS dispersion for the DMSO-treated solution.…”

Freestanding nanomaterials for subcellular neuronal interfaces

“…Thus, it is often combined with more biodegradable and biocompatible polymers to minimize immunogenic reactions ( Figure 1 A) ( Boni et al., 2018 ). PEDOT: PSS is PEDOT doped with polystyrene sulfonate, which significantly increases its ability to retain high electrical conductivity under physiological conditions ( Magaz et al., 2020 ). Living neurons have also been genetically targeted to chemically synthesize PEDOT or PANI on its plasma membrane through single-enzyme-facilitated polymerization.…”