Bioelectrochemical control of neural cell development on conducting polymers

• Published in: Biomaterials Vol. 31; no. 35; pp. 9244 - 9255
• Main Authors: Collazos-Castro, Jorge E, Polo, José L, Hernández-Labrado, Gabriel R, Padial-Cañete, Vanesa, García-Rama, Concepción
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2010
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Animals; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic - chemistry; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic - pharmacology; Cell culture; Cell Movement - drug effects; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Conducting polymers; Dentistry; Electrochemistry; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - chemistry; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - pharmacology; Heparin - chemistry; Heparin - pharmacology; Microscopy, Electron; Neural cells; Neurons - cytology; Neurons - drug effects; Neurons - metabolism; PEDOT:PSS; Polymers - chemistry; Polymers - pharmacology; Polystyrenes - chemistry; Polystyrenes - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Self-assembled multilayers; Spermine - chemistry; Spermine - pharmacology; Conducting polymers; Electrochemistry; Cell culture; Neural cells; Self-assembled multilayers; PEDOT:PSS
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2010.08.057

Abstract Electrically conducting polymers hold promise for developing advanced neuroprostheses, bionic systems and neural repair devices. Among them, poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) exhibits superior physicochemical properties but biocompatibility issues have limited its use. We describe combinations of electrochemical and molecule self-assembling methods to consistently control neural cell development on PEDOT:PSS while maintaining very low interfacial impedance. Electro-adsorbed polylysine enabled long-term neuronal survival and growth on the nanostructured polymer. Neurite extension was strongly inhibited by an additional layer of PSS or heparin, which in turn could be either removed electrically or further coated with spermine to activate cell growth. Binding basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to the heparin layer inhibited neurons but promoted proliferation and migration of precursor cells. This methodology may orchestrate neural cell behavior on electroactive polymers, thus improving cell/electrode communication in prosthetic devices and providing a platform for tissue repair strategies.