Effects of O 2 and N 2/H 2 plasma treatments on the neuronal cell growth on single-walled carbon nanotube paper scaffolds

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 257; no. 20; pp. 8535 - 8541
• Main Authors: Yoon, Ok Ja, Lee, Hyun Jung, Jang, Yeong Mi, Kim, Hyun Woo, Lee, Won Bok, Kim, Sung Su, Lee, Nae-Eung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.08.2011
• Subjects: Mitochondrial membrane potential; Neuronal activity; Neurotransmitter; O 2 and N 2/H 2 plasma treatments; Scaffolds; Single-walled carbon nanotube; Neurotransmitter; Neuronal activity; Single-walled carbon nanotube; O 2 and N 2/H 2 plasma treatments; Scaffolds; Mitochondrial membrane potential
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2011.05.009

[Display omitted] ► The O 2 and N 2/H 2 plasma-chemical functionalization caused changes in the surface charge states with functional groups with positive and negative charges, respectively. ► The chemical functionalization and the increased surface roughness enhanced neuronal cell adhesion, mitochondrial membrane potential, and the level of neurotransmitter in vitro. ► The cell adhesion and mitochondrial membrane potential on the negatively charged SWCNT papers were improved more than on the positively charged SWCNT papers. ► An enhanced acetylcholine level on the negatively charged SWCNT papers was observed compared to the positively charged SWCNT papers. The O 2 and N 2/H 2 plasma treatments of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) papers as scaffolds for enhanced neuronal cell growth were conducted to functionalize their surfaces with different functional groups and to roughen their surfaces. To evaluate the effects of the surface roughness and functionalization modifications of the SWCNT papers, we investigated the neuronal morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential, and acetylcholine/acetylcholinesterase levels of human neuroblastoma during SH-SY5Y cell growth on the treated SWCNT papers. Our results demonstrated that the plasma-chemical functionalization caused changes in the surface charge states with functional groups with negative and positive charges and then the increased surface roughness enhanced neuronal cell adhesion, mitochondrial membrane potential, and the level of neurotransmitter in vitro. The cell adhesion and mitochondrial membrane potential on the negatively charged SWCNT papers were improved more than on the positively charged SWCNT papers. Also, measurements of the neurotransmitter level showed an enhanced acetylcholine level on the negatively charged SWCNT papers compared to the positively charged SWCNT papers.