Cell alignment using patterned biocompatible gold nanoparticle templates

AFM for Nanomechanical Assessment of Polymer Overcoatings on Nanoparticle-Decorated Biomaterials

Nanoparticle adhesion to polymer and similar substrates may be prone to low nano-Newton forces, disrupting the surface bonds and patterning, potentially reducing the functionality of complex surface patterns. Testing this, a functionalised surface reported for biological and medical applications, consisting of a thin plasma-derived oxazoline-based film with 68 nm diameter covalently bound colloidal gold nanoparticles attached within an aqueous solution, underwent nanomechanical analysis. Atomic Force Microscopy nanomechanical analysis was used to quantify the limits of various adaptations to these nanoparticle-featured substrates. Regular and laterally applied forces in the nano-Newton range were shown to de-adhere surface-bound gold nanoparticles. Applying a nanometre-thick overcoating anchored the nanoparticles to the surface and protected the underlying base substrate in a one-step process to improve the overall stability of the functionalised substrate against lower-range forces. The thickness of the oxazoline-based overcoating displayed protection from forces at different rates. Testing overcoating thickness ranging from 5 to 20 nm in 5 nm increments revealed a significant improvement in stability using a 20 nm-thick overcoating. This approach underscores the importance of optimising overcoating thickness to enhance nanoparticle-based surface modifications' durability and functional integrity.

Design of IKVAV peptide/gold nanoparticle decorated, micro/nano-channeled PCL/PLGA film scaffolds for neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth

In the field of neural tissue engineering, intensive efforts are being made to develop tissue scaffolds that can support an effective functional recovery and neural development by guiding damaged axons and neurites. Micro/nano-channeled conductive biomaterials are considered a promising approach for repairing the injured neural tissues. Many studies have demonstrated that the micro/nano-channels and aligned nanofibers could guide the neurites to extend along the direction of alignment. However, an ideal biocompatible scaffold containing conductive arrays that could promote effective neural stem cell differentiation and development, and also stimulate high neurite guidance has not been fully developed. In the current study, we aimed to fabricate micro/nano-channeled polycaprolactone (PCL)/Poly-d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) hybrid film scaffolds, decorate their surfaces with IKVAV pentapeptide/gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and investigate the behavior of PC12 cells and neural stem cells (NSCs) on the developed biomaterial under static/bioreactor conditions. Here we show that channeled groups decorated with AuNPs highly promote neurite outgrowth and neuronal differentiation along linear lines in the presence of electrical stimulation, compared with the polypyrrole (PPy) coating, which has been used traditionally for many years. Hopefully, this newly developed channeled scaffold structure (PCL/PLGA-AuNPs-IKVAV) could help to support long-distance axonal regeneration and neuronal development after different neural damages.

Growing a backbone - functional biomaterials and structures for intervertebral disc (IVD) repair and regeneration: challenges, innovations, and future directions

Back pain and associated maladies can account for an immense amount of healthcare cost and loss of productivity in the workplace. In particular, spine related injuries in the US affect upwards of 5.7 million people each year. The degenerative disc disease treatment almost always arises due to a clinical presentation of pain and/or discomfort. Preferred conservative treatment modalities include the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic work, and dietary supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin. Artificial disc replacement, also known as total disc replacement, is a treatment alternative to spinal fusion. The goal of artificial disc prostheses is to replicate the normal biomechanics of the spine segment, thereby preventing further damage to neighboring sections. Artificial functional disc replacement through permanent metal and polymer-based components continues to evolve, but is far from recapitulating native disc structure and function, and suffers from the risk of unsuccessful tissue integration and device failure. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies combine novel material structures, bioactive factors and stem cells alone or in combination to repair and regenerate the IVD. These efforts are at very early stages and a more in-depth understanding of IVD metabolism and cellular environment will also lead to a clearer understanding of the native environment which the tissue engineering scaffold should mimic. The current review focusses on the strategies for a successful regenerative scaffold for IVD regeneration and the need for defining new materials, environments, and factors that are so finely tuned in the healthy human intervertebral disc in hopes of treating such a prevalent degenerative process.

Tailored Functional Surfaces Using Nanoparticle and Protein "Nanobrick" Coatings

Surface properties are an essential feature in a wide range of functional materials. In this article, we summarize strategies developed in our group that employ nanoparticles and proteins as nanobricks to create thin-film coatings on surfaces. These coatings contain tailorable surface functionality based on the properties of the predesigned nanobricks, parlaying both the chemical and structural features of the precursor particles and proteins. This strategy is versatile, providing the rapid generation of both uniform and patterned coatings that provide "plug-and-play" customizable surfaces for materials and biomedical applications.

Biopebble Containers: DNA-Directed Surface Assembly of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Cell Studies

The development of methods for colloidal self-assembly on solid surfaces is important for many applications in biomedical sciences. Toward this goal, described is a versatile class of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) that contain on their surface various types of DNA molecules to enable their self-assembly into micropatterned surface architectures useful for cell studies. Monodisperse dye-doped MSN are synthesized by biphase stratification and functionalized with an aptamer oligonucleotide that serves as gatekeeper for the triggered release of encapsulated molecular cargo, such as fluorescent dye rhodamine B or the anticancer drug doxorubicin. One or two additional types of oligonucleotides are installed on the MSN surface to enable DNA-directed immobilization on solid substrates bearing patterns of complementary capture oligonucleotides. It is demonstrated that this strategy can be used for efficient self-assembly of microstructured surface architectures, which not only promote the adhesion and guidance of cells but also are capable of affecting the fate of adhered cells through triggered release of their cargo. It is believed that this approach is useful for diverse applications in tissue engineering and nanobio sciences.

Organic chemistry meets polymers, nanoscience, therapeutics and diagnostics

The atom-by-atom control provided by synthetic organic chemistry presents a means of generating new functional nanomaterials with great precision. Bringing together these two very disparate skill sets is, however, quite uncommon. This autobiographical review provides some insight into how my program evolved, as well as giving some idea of where we are going.

Fluorescent Biotin Analogues for Microstructure Patterning and Selective Protein Immobilization

Benzyl substitution on ureido nitrogens of biotin led to manifestation of aggregation-induced emission, which was studied by steady-state fluorescence, microscopy, and TD-DFT, providing a rationale into the observed photophysical behavior. Besides exhibiting solvatochromism, the biotin derivatives revealed emission peaks centered at ∼430 and 545 nm, which has been attributed to the π-π stacking interactions. Our TD-DFT results also correlate the spectroscopic data and quantify the nature of transitions involved. The isothermal titration calorimetry data substantiates that the binding of the biotin derivatives with avidin are pretty strong. These derivatives on lithographic patterning present a platform for site specific strept(avidin) immobilization, thus opening avenues for potential applications exploiting these interactions. The fluorescent biotin derivatives can thus find applications in cellular biology and imaging.

Fabrication of Robust Protein Films Using Nanoimprint Lithography

A nanoimprint-lithography-based fabrication method to generate stable protein films is described. The process is environmentally friendly and generalizable with respect to the protein building blocks. These non-fouling surfaces are readily patternable, incorporate intrinsic protein charge into the film, and able to control cellular adhesion.

Rapid coating of surfaces with functionalized nanoparticles for regulation of cell behavior

A robust monolayer of nanoparticles is formed via dip-coating of cell culture plates. These surfaces provide cell type-specific modulation of growth behavior without the uptake of nanoparticles.

pH-dependent interaction and resultant structures of silica nanoparticles and lysozyme protein

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and UV-visible spectroscopy studies have been carried out to examine pH-dependent interactions and resultant structures of oppositely charged silica nanoparticles and lysozyme protein in aqueous solution. The measurements were carried out at fixed concentration (1 wt %) of three differently sized silica nanoparticles (8, 16, and 26 nm) over a wide concentration range of protein (0-10 wt %) at three different pH values (5, 7, and 9). The adsorption curve as obtained by UV-visible spectroscopy shows exponential behavior of protein adsorption on nanoparticles. The electrostatic interaction enhanced by the decrease in the pH between the nanoparticle and protein (isoelectric point ∼11.4) increases the adsorption coefficient on nanoparticles but decreases the overall amount protein adsorbed whereas the opposite behavior is observed with increasing nanoparticle size. The adsorption of protein leads to the protein-mediated aggregation of nanoparticles. These aggregates are found to be surface fractals at pH 5 and change to mass fractals with increasing pH and/or decreasing nanoparticle size. Two different concentration regimes of interaction of nanoparticles with protein have been observed: (i) unaggregated nanoparticles coexisting with aggregated nanoparticles at low protein concentrations and (ii) free protein coexisting with aggregated nanoparticles at higher protein concentrations. These concentration regimes are found to be strongly dependent on both the pH and nanoparticle size.

Laser exposure of gold nanorods can increase neuronal cell outgrowth

The usage of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in biological applications has risen significantly over the last 10 years. With the wide variety of chemical and biological functionalization available and their distinctive optical properties, Au NPs are currently used in a range of biological applications including sensing, labeling, drug delivery, and imaging applications. Among the available particles, gold nanorods (Au NRs) are particularly useful because their optical absorption can be tuned across the visible to near infrared region. Here, we present a novel application of Au NRs associated with low power laser exposure of NG108-15 neuronal cells. When cells were irradiated with a 780 nm laser, the average number of neurons with neurites increased. A similar stimulatory effect was observed for cells that were cultured with poly-(4-styrenesulfonic acid)-coated and silica-coated Au NRs. Furthermore, when the NG108-15 cells were cultured with both bare and coated Au NRs and then irradiated with 1.2-7.5 W/cm(2) at 780 nm, they showed a neurite length increase of up to 25 µm versus control. To the best of our knowledge, this effect has never been reported before. While the pathways of the stimulation is not yet clear, the data presented here demonstrates that it is linked to the absorption of light by the Au NRs. These initial results open up new opportunities for peripheral nerve regeneration treatments and for novel approaches to addressing central nervous system axons following spinal cord injury.

Control of cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth by patterned gold nanoparticles with tunable attractive or repulsive surface properties

Guiding of neuronal cells on surfaces is required for the investigation of fundamental aspects of neurobiology, for tissue engineering, and for numerous bioelectronic applications. A modular method to establish nanostructured chemical templates for local deposition of gold nanoparticles is presented. A process comprising nanoimprint lithography, silanization, lift-off, and gold nanoparticle immobilization is used to fabricate the particle patterns. The chemical composition of the surface can be modified by in situ adsorption of cell-binding ligands to locally addressed particles. The versatility of this approach is demonstrated by inverting the binding affinity between rat cortical neurons and nanopatterned surfaces via wet-chemical means and thereby reversing the pattern of guided neurons.