Biocompatible SWCNT Conductive Composites for Biomedical Applications

The efficiency of devices for biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and neuronal stimulation, heavily depends on their biocompatibility and performance level. Therefore, it is important to find adequate materials that meet the necessary requirements such as (i) being intrinsically compatible with biological systems, (ii) providing a sufficient electronic conductivity that promotes efficient signal transduction, (iii) having "soft" mechanical properties comparable to biological structures, and (iv) being degradable in physiological solution. We have developed organic conducting biocompatible single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) composites based on bovine serum albumin, carboxymethylcellulose, and acrylic polymer and investigated their properties, which are relevant for biomedical applications. This includes ζ-potential measurements, conductivity analyses, and SEM micrographs, the latter providing a local analysis of SWCNT distribution in the base material. We observed the development of the electrical conductivity of the SWCNT composites exposed to 1 mM KCl electrolyte for 40 days, representing a high stability of the samples. The conductivity of samples reaches 1300 S/m for 0.45 wt.% nanotubes. Moreover, we demonstrated the biocompatibility of the composites via cultivating fibroblast cell culture. Finally, we showed that composite coating results in the longer lifespan of cells on the surface. Overall, the SWCNT-based conductive composites might be a promising material for extended biomedical applications.

In vivo photothermal inhibition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection by in situ templated formulation of pathogen-targeting phototheranostics

Bacterial infection has caused a serious threat to human public health. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a representative drug-resistant bacterium, which is difficult to eradicate completely, resulting in high infection probability with severe mortality. Herein, pathogen-targeting phototheranostic nanoparticles, Van-OA@PPy, are developed for efficient elimination of MRSA infection. Van-OA@PPy nanoparticles are fabricated from the in situ templated formation of polypyrrole (PPy) in the presence of ferric ions (Fe³⁺) and a polymer template, hydrophilic poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-N,N-dimethyl acrylamide), P(HEMA-co-DMA). PPy nanoparticles are further coated with vancomycin conjugated oleic acid (Van-OA) to afford the resultant pathogen-targeting Van-OA@PPy. A high photothermal conversion efficiency of ∼49.4% is achieved. MRSA can be efficiently killed due to sufficient nanoparticle adhesion and fusion with MRSA, followed by photothermal therapy upon irradiation with an 808 nm laser. Remarkable membrane damage of MRSA is observed, which contributes greatly to the inhibition of MRSA infection. Furthermore, the nanoparticles have high stability and good biocompatibility without causing any detectable side effects. On the other hand, residual Fe³⁺ and PPy moieties in Van-OA@PPy endow the nanoparticles with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and photoacoustic (PA) imaging potency, respectively. The current strategy has the potential to inspire further advances in precise diagnosis and efficient elimination of MRSA infection in biomedicine.

Material properties and electrical stimulation regimens of polycaprolactone fumarate-polypyrrole scaffolds as potential conductive nerve conduits

The mechanical and electrical properties of polycaprolactone fumarate-polypyrrole (PCLF-PPy) scaffolds were studied under physiological conditions to evaluate their ability to maintain the material properties necessary for application as conductive nerve conduits. PC12 cells cultured on PCLF-PPy scaffolds were stimulated with regimens of 10 μA of either a constant or a 20 Hz frequency current passed through the scaffolds for 1h per day. PC12 cellular morphologies were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy after 48 h. PCLF-PPy scaffolds exhibited excellent mechanical properties at 37 °C which would allow suturing and flexibility. The surface resistivity of the scaffolds was 2 kΩ and the scaffolds were electrically stable during the application of electrical stimulation (ES). In vitro studies showed significant increases in the percentage of neurite bearing cells, number of neurites per cell and neurite length in the presence of ES compared with no ES. Additionally, extending neurites were observed to align in the direction of the applied current. This study shows that electrically conductive PCLF-PPy scaffolds possess the material properties necessary for application as nerve conduits. Additionally, the capability to significantly enhance and direct neurite extension by passing an electrical current through PCLF-PPy scaffolds renders them even more promising as future therapeutic treatments for severe nerve injuries.

The development of electrically conductive polycaprolactone fumarate-polypyrrole composite materials for nerve regeneration

Electrically conductive polymer composites composed of polycaprolactone fumarate and polypyrrole (PCLF-PPy) have been developed for nerve regeneration applications. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of PCLF-PPy and in vitro studies showing PCLF-PPy materials support both PC12 cell and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurite extension. PCLF-PPy composite materials were synthesized by polymerizing pyrrole in preformed PCLF scaffolds (M(n) 7,000 or 18,000 g mol(-1)) resulting in interpenetrating networks of PCLF-PPy. Chemical compositions and thermal properties were characterized by ATR-FTIR, XPS, DSC, and TGA. PCLF-PPy materials were synthesized with five different anions (naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid sodium salt (NSA), dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid sodium salt (DBSA), dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium salt (DOSS), potassium iodide (I), and lysine) to investigate effects on electrical conductivity and to optimize chemical composition for cellular compatibility. PCLF-PPy materials have variable electrical conductivity up to 6 mS cm(-1) with bulk compositions ranging from 5 to 13.5 percent polypyrrole. AFM and SEM characterization show microstructures with a root mean squared (RMS) roughness of 1195 nm and nanostructures with RMS roughness of 8 nm. In vitro studies using PC12 cells and DRG show PCLF-PPy materials synthesized with NSA or DBSA support cell attachment, proliferation, neurite extension, and are promising materials for future studies involving electrical stimulation.

Electropolymerized tricopolymer based on N-pyrrole derivatives as a primer coating for improving the performance of a drug-eluting stent

The coating of medical implants by polymeric films aims at increasing their biocompatibility as well as providing a durable matrix for the controlled release of a drug. In many cases, the coating is divided into a primer layer, which bridges between the medical implant and the drug-eluting matrix. The primer coating must be very carefully designed in order to provide optimal interactions with the surface of the medical implant and the outer layer. Here we present a simple and versatile approach for designing the primer layer based on electropolymerization of a carefully chosen blend of three different pyrrole derivatives: N-methylpyrrole (N-me), N-(2-carboxyethyl)pyrrole (PPA), and the butyl ester of N-(2-carboxyethyl)pyrrole (BuOPy). The composition and physical properties of the primer layer were studied in detail by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and a nano scratch tester. The latter provides the in-depth analysis of the adhesion and viscoelasticity of the coating. AFM phase imaging reveals a uniform distribution of the three monomers forming rough morphology. This primer layer significantly improved the morphology, stability, and paclitaxel release profile of a paclitaxel-eluting matrix based on methyl and lauryl methacrylates.

Electrostatic attachment of gold and poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles onto omega-aminoalkanoic acid self-assembled monolayers on 316L stainless steel

The assembly of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles on a 12-aminodecanoic acid (ADA) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) is described. Assembly is accomplished through electrostatic interactions between the positively charged SAM and the negatively charged PLA nanoparticles. The strategy used involves two steps in which a preliminary electrochemical coating of the ADA SAM is followed by a second step that involves immersing the SAM in a solution containing gold or PLA nanoparticles. The SAM was characterized by using cyclic voltammetry (CV), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), FTIR spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements, whereas scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to image the nanoparticles after electrostatic attachment was achieved. We found that the surface coverage of the nanoparticles could be controlled by modulating the electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged particles and the positively charged SAM surface by varying the pH of the nanoparticle solution, the immersion time, and the number of cyclic voltammetry scans under which the SAM was formed.