Self-assembled chitin nanofiber templates for artificial neural networks

Abstract

Self-assembled chitin nanofibers were applied as a biomimetic extracellular matrix for the attachment of primary neurons in vitro. Chitin nanofiber surfaces were deacetylated to form 4 nm and 12 nm diameter chitosan nanofibers that were coupled with poly-D-lysine (PDL) to examine combinatory effects and structurally analyzed by atomic force microscopy. The chitosan substrates were then employed for mouse cortical neuron cultures to examine their capabilities to support cell attachment, neurite coverage and survival. The 4 nm chitosan nanofibers improved single cortical neuron attachment compared to the 12 nm chitosan fibers and bare glass substrates, illustrating the improved adhesive properties of the surface. Importantly, the 4 nm chitosan nanofibers with PDL supported 37.9% neuron viability compared to only 13.5% on traditional PDL surfaces after a 7-day culture period, illustrating significantly improved long-term cell viability. The nanofibrillar chitosan surface could provide an alternative substrate for in vitro primary neuron cultures to serve as artificial neural networks for diagnostics and therapeutics.

Ultrastrong and flexible hybrid hydrogels based on solution self-assembly of chitin nanofibers in gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)

“…20 We have previously developed the self-assembly of 3 nm chitin nanofibers from solution 17, 21, 22 and demonstrated simple solution co-assembly of chitin nanofiber-silk biocomposites. 23 This solution process is amenable to facile soft-lithography strategies to create microstructures 24 for tissue engineering 17, 25 and biomedical devices. 19 …”

Production and electrical characterization of the reflectin A2 isoform from Doryteuthis (Loligo) pealeii

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Recently, these animals have drawn signicant attention as sources of novel materials for optical systems, 7-10 biomedical technologies, [11][12][13][14][15] and bioelectronic devices. [16][17][18][19][20] Within this context, a number of literature reports have investigated the properties of unique structural proteins known as reectins, [7][8][9][10]14,[16][17][18][21][22][23][24] which are found in cephalopod skin cells (i.e.…”

Chitin nanofiber micropatterned flexible substrates for tissue engineering

“…3a) using the ratios of the C-O (amide II) peak at 1560 cm −1 and the C–O peak at 1030 cm −1 . 28, 35 The “as prepared” film was ca. 14% deacetylated, while after treatment the degree of deacetylation decreased to ca.…”

“…The degree of deacetylation (chitin vs. chitosan) was evaluated using the ratio of A 1560 /A 1030 according to a previously reported procedure. 28, 35 Stress vs. strain data of the free-standing substrates were recorded with a Shimadzu AGS-X. The substrates were tested dry before and after deacetylation as well as after immersion in Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline (DPBS) (GIBCO) for 1 and 5 days.…”