Patterned carbon nanotubes as a new three-dimensional scaffold for mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

We investigated the cellular adhesive features of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on non-coated and collagen coated patterned and vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) structures mimicking the natural extra cellular matrix (ECM). Patterning was achieved using the elasto-capillary induced by water treatment on the CNT arrays. After confirmation with specific markers both at transcript and protein levels, MSCs from different passages were seeded on either collagen coated or non-coated patterned CNTs. Adhesion and growth of MSCs on the patterned CNT arrays were examined using scanning electron microscopy image analysis and 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. The highest MSC count was observed on the non-coated patterned CNTs at passage zero, while decreasing numbers of MSCs were found at the later passages. Similarly, MTT assay results also revealed a decrease in the viability of the MSCs for the later passages. Overall, the cell count and viability experiments indicated that MSCs were able to better attach to non-coated patterned CNTs compared to those coated with collagen. Therefore, the patterned CNT surfaces can be potentially used as a scaffold mimicking the ECM environment for MSC growth which presents an alternative approach to MSC-based transplantation therapy applications.

A new tool for differentiating hepatocellular cancer cells: Patterned carbon nanotube arrays

“…1b). The average width of these cavities was 10 m. The mechanism behind the formation of selfassembled patterning is based on the elasto-capillary effect and hydrophobic property of aligned CNTs as explained by us and others previously [18,30]. Our experimental design of patterning was shown in Fig.…”

“…VA-CNTs were synthesized through ACCVD method on Si substrates using sandwich catalyst design (Al/Co/Al) as we reported previously [18]. The side view SEM image of VA-CNTs revealed that CNTs were 10 m in height whereas their average diameters were around 10 nm shown by TEM analysis (Fig.…”

“…VA-CNTs were grown by alcohol catalyzed chemical vapor deposition (ACCVD) method on oxidized Si (100) surfaces as described before in our previous study [18]. Sandwich catalyst layers (Al/Co/Al) were prepared for the growth of VA-CNTs by using the electron beam and thermal evaporation techniques [18].…”

“…Sandwich catalyst layers (Al/Co/Al) were prepared for the growth of VA-CNTs by using the electron beam and thermal evaporation techniques [18]. Si substrates with the aforementioned layers were introduced into the ACCVD furnace for the growth of VA-CNTs through reduction and reaction steps using ethanol as a carbon source at temperature of 625 • C under flowing H 2 and Ar gases (20 sccm and 100 sccm, respectively).…”

“…These recent advances in the field of biomaterials also triggered research on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for the investigation of various cellular interactions [15]. There are number of studies reporting the use of CNTs as a nano-fibrous scaffolds for living cells [16][17][18][19][20][21]. Furthermore, the unique properties of CNTs prompted their application as a potential new tool for the detection of different types of cancer cells (oral, prostate and lung cancers) not only by taking advantage of their functionalization (e.g.…”