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Krukiewicz K, Czerwińska-Główka D, Turczyn RM, Blacha-Grzechnik A, Vallejo-Giraldo C, Erfurt K, Chrobok A, Faure-Vincent J, Pouget S, Djurado D, Biggs MJ. Flexible, Transparent, and Cytocompatible Nanostructured Indium Tin Oxide Thin Films for Bio-optoelectronic Applications. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:45701-45712. [PMID: 37737728 PMCID: PMC10561142 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c10861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Electrical stimulation has been used successfully for several decades for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including motor disorders, pain, and psychiatric disorders. These technologies typically rely on the modulation of neural activity through the focused delivery of electrical pulses. Recent research, however, has shown that electrically triggered neuromodulation can be further enhanced when coupled with optical stimulation, an approach that can benefit from the development of novel electrode materials that combine transparency with excellent electrochemical and biological performance. In this study, we describe an electrochemically modified, nanostructured indium tin oxide/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (ITO/PET) surface as a flexible, transparent, and cytocompatible electrode material. Electrochemical oxidation and reduction of ITO/PET electrodes in the presence of an ionic liquid based on d-glucopyranoside and bistriflamide units were performed, and the electrochemical behavior, conductivity, capacitance, charge transport processes, surface morphology, optical properties, and cytocompatibility were assessed in vitro. It has been shown that under selected conditions, electrochemically modified ITO/PET films remained transparent and highly conductive and were able to enhance neural cell survival and neurite outgrowth. Consequently, electrochemical modification of ITO/PET electrodes in the presence of an ionic liquid is introduced as an effective approach for tailoring the properties of ITO for advanced bio-optoelectronic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Krukiewicz
- Department
of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Centre
for Organic and Nanohybrid Electronics, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Dominika Czerwińska-Główka
- Department
of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Roman Maria Turczyn
- Department
of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Centre
for Organic and Nanohybrid Electronics, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Agata Blacha-Grzechnik
- Department
of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Centre
for Organic and Nanohybrid Electronics, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | | | - Karol Erfurt
- Department
of Chemical Organic Technology and Petrochemistry, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Anna Chrobok
- Department
of Chemical Organic Technology and Petrochemistry, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Jérôme Faure-Vincent
- CEA/INAC/SPrAM,
Laboratoire d’Electronique Moléculaire Organique et
Hybride, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Stéphanie Pouget
- CEA/INAC/SPrAM,
Laboratoire d’Electronique Moléculaire Organique et
Hybride, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - David Djurado
- CEA/INAC/SPrAM,
Laboratoire d’Electronique Moléculaire Organique et
Hybride, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Manus J.P. Biggs
- Centre
for Research in Medical Devices, University
of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
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Cuttaz EA, Chapman CAR, Goding JA, Vallejo-Giraldo C, Syed O, Green RA. Flexible Nanowire Conductive Elastomers for Applications in Fully Polymeric Bioelectronic Devices . Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2021; 2021:5872-5875. [PMID: 34892455 DOI: 10.1109/embc46164.2021.9629903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Soft, flexible polymer-based bioelectronics are a promising approach to minimize the chronic inflammatory reactions associated with metallic devices, impairing long-term device reliability and functionality. This work demonstrates the fabrication of conductive elastomers (CEs) consisting of chemically synthesized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanowires embedded within a polyurethane (PU) elastomeric matrix, resulting in soft and flexible, fully polymeric electrode materials. Increasing PEDOT nanowire loadings resulted in an improvement in electrochemical properties and conductivity, an increased Young's modulus and reduced strain at failure. Nanowire CEs were also found to have significantly improved electrochemical performance compared to one of the standard electrode materials, platinum (Pt). Indirect in vitro cytocompatibility test was carried out to investigate the effect of leachable substances from the CE on primary rodent cells. Nanowire CEs provide a promising alternative to metals for the fabrication of soft bioelectronics.
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Tadayyon G, Krukiewicz K, Britton J, Larrañaga A, Vallejo-Giraldo C, Fernandez-Yague M, Guo Y, Orpella-Aceret G, Li L, Poudel A, Biggs MJ. In vitro analysis of a physiological strain sensor formulated from a PEDOT:PSS functionalized carbon nanotube-poly(glycerol sebacate urethane) composite. Materials Science and Engineering: C 2021; 121:111857. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.111857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Vallejo-Giraldo C, Genta M, Cauvi O, Goding J, Green R. Hydrogels for 3D Neural Tissue Models: Understanding Cell-Material Interactions at a Molecular Level. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:601704. [PMID: 33240868 PMCID: PMC7677185 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.601704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of 3D neural tissue analogs is of great interest to a range of biomedical engineering applications including tissue engineering of neural interfaces, treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and in vitro assessment of cell-material interactions. Despite continued efforts to develop synthetic or biosynthetic hydrogels which promote the development of complex neural networks in 3D, successful long-term 3D approaches have been restricted to the use of biologically derived constructs. In this study a poly (vinyl alcohol) biosynthetic hydrogel functionalized with gelatin and sericin (PVA-SG), was used to understand the interplay between cell-cell communication and cell-material interaction. This was used to probe critical short-term interactions that determine the success or failure of neural network growth and ultimately the development of a useful model. Complex primary ventral mesencephalic (VM) neural cells were encapsulated in PVA-SG hydrogels and critical molecular cues that demonstrate mechanosensory interaction were examined. Neuronal presence was constant over the 10 day culture, but the astrocyte population decreased in number. The lack of astrocytic support led to a reduction in neural process outgrowth from 24.0 ± 1.3 μm on Day 7 to 7.0 ± 0.1 μm on Day 10. Subsequently, purified astrocytes were studied in isolation to understand the reasons behind PVA-SG hydrogel inability to support neural network development. It was proposed that the spatially restrictive nature (or tight mesh size) of PVA-SG hydrogels limited the astrocytic actin polymerization together with a cytoplasmic-nuclear translocation of YAP over time, causing an alteration in their cell cycle. This was confirmed by the evaluation of p27/Kip1 gene that was found to be upregulated by a twofold increase in expression at both Days 7 and 10 compared to Day 3, indicating the quiescent stage of the astrocytes in PVA-SG hydrogel. Cell migration was further studied by the quantification of MMP-2 production that was negligible compared to 2D controls, ranging from 2.7 ± 2.3% on Day 3 to 5.3 ± 2.9% on Day 10. This study demonstrates the importance of understanding astrocyte-material interactions at the molecular level, with the need to address spatial constraints in the 3D hydrogel environment. These findings will inform the design of future hydrogel constructs with greater capacity for remodeling by the cell population to create space for cell migration and neural process extension.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martina Genta
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Olivia Cauvi
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Josef Goding
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rylie Green
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Cuttaz E, Goding J, Vallejo-Giraldo C, Aregueta-Robles U, Lovell N, Ghezzi D, Green RA. Conductive elastomer composites for fully polymeric, flexible bioelectronics. Biomater Sci 2019; 7:1372-1385. [DOI: 10.1039/c8bm01235k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Soft, flexible and stretchable conductive elastomers made of polyurethane and PEDOT:PSS blends were fabricated into fully polymeric implantable bioelectrode arrays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Cuttaz
- Department of Bioengineering
- Imperial College London
- London
- UK
- Medtronic Chair in Neuroengineering
| | - Josef Goding
- Department of Bioengineering
- Imperial College London
- London
- UK
| | | | | | - Nigel Lovell
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering
- UNSW
- Sydney 2052
- Australia
| | - Diego Ghezzi
- Medtronic Chair in Neuroengineering
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Institute of Bioengineering
- School of Engineering
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
- Switzerland
| | - Rylie A. Green
- Department of Bioengineering
- Imperial College London
- London
- UK
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Abstract
Hydrogels have garnered interest as materials in bioelectronics due to the capacity to tailor their properties. Appropriate selection and design of hydrogel systems for this application requires an understanding of the physical, chemical and biological properties as well as their structure–property relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Goding
- Department of Bioengineering
- Imperial College London
- London SW72AS
- UK
| | | | - Omaer Syed
- Department of Bioengineering
- Imperial College London
- London SW72AS
- UK
| | - Rylie Green
- Department of Bioengineering
- Imperial College London
- London SW72AS
- UK
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Vallejo-Giraldo C, Krukiewicz K, Calaresu I, Zhu J, Palma M, Fernandez-Yague M, McDowell B, Peixoto N, Farid N, O'Connor G, Ballerini L, Pandit A, Biggs MJP. Attenuated Glial Reactivity on Topographically Functionalized Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene):P-Toluene Sulfonate (PEDOT:PTS) Neuroelectrodes Fabricated by Microimprint Lithography. Small 2018; 14:e1800863. [PMID: 29862640 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201800863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Following implantation, neuroelectrode functionality is susceptible to deterioration via reactive host cell response and glial scar-induced encapsulation. Within the neuroengineering community, there is a consensus that the induction of selective adhesion and regulated cellular interaction at the tissue-electrode interface can significantly enhance device interfacing and functionality in vivo. In particular, topographical modification holds promise for the development of functionalized neural interfaces to mediate initial cell adhesion and the subsequent evolution of gliosis, minimizing the onset of a proinflammatory glial phenotype, to provide long-term stability. Herein, a low-temperature microimprint-lithography technique for the development of micro-topographically functionalized neuroelectrode interfaces in electrodeposited poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):p-toluene sulfonate (PEDOT:PTS) is described and assessed in vitro. Platinum (Pt) microelectrodes are subjected to electrodeposition of a PEDOT:PTS microcoating, which is subsequently topographically functionalized with an ordered array of micropits, inducing a significant reduction in electrode electrical impedance and an increase in charge storage capacity. Furthermore, topographically functionalized electrodes reduce the adhesion of reactive astrocytes in vitro, evident from morphological changes in cell area, focal adhesion formation, and the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokine factors. This study contributes to the understanding of gliosis in complex primary mixed cell cultures, and describes the role of micro-topographically modified neural interfaces in the development of stable microelectrode interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Vallejo-Giraldo
- CÚRAM-Centre for Research in Medical Devices-Galway, Biosciences Research Building, 118 Corrib Village, Newcastle, Galway, H91 D577, Ireland
| | - Katarzyna Krukiewicz
- CÚRAM-Centre for Research in Medical Devices-Galway, Biosciences Research Building, 118 Corrib Village, Newcastle, Galway, H91 D577, Ireland
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, 44-100, Poland
| | - Ivo Calaresu
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Via Bonomea, 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jingyuan Zhu
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E14NS, UK
| | - Matteo Palma
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E14NS, UK
| | - Marc Fernandez-Yague
- CÚRAM-Centre for Research in Medical Devices-Galway, Biosciences Research Building, 118 Corrib Village, Newcastle, Galway, H91 D577, Ireland
| | - BenjaminW McDowell
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS-1G5 Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA
| | - Nathalia Peixoto
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS-1G5 Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA
| | - Nazar Farid
- School of Physics, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Gerard O'Connor
- School of Physics, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Laura Ballerini
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Via Bonomea, 265, 34136, Trieste, Italy
| | - Abhay Pandit
- CÚRAM-Centre for Research in Medical Devices-Galway, Biosciences Research Building, 118 Corrib Village, Newcastle, Galway, H91 D577, Ireland
| | - Manus Jonathan Paul Biggs
- CÚRAM-Centre for Research in Medical Devices-Galway, Biosciences Research Building, 118 Corrib Village, Newcastle, Galway, H91 D577, Ireland
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Krukiewicz K, Chudy M, Vallejo-Giraldo C, Skorupa M, Więcławska D, Turczyn R, Biggs M. Fractal form PEDOT/Au assemblies as thin-film neural interface materials. Biomed Mater 2018; 13:054102. [DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/aabced] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Vallejo-Giraldo C, Pugliese E, Larrañaga A, Fernandez-Yague MA, Britton JJ, Trotier A, Tadayyon G, Kelly A, Rago I, Sarasua JR, Dowd E, Quinlan LR, Pandit A, Biggs MJP. Polyhydroxyalkanoate/carbon nanotube nanocomposites: flexible electrically conducting elastomers for neural applications. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2016; 11:2547-63. [DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2016-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Medium chain length-polyhydroxyalkanoate/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) nanocomposites with a range of mechanical and electrochemical properties were fabricated via assisted dispersion and solvent casting, and their suitability as neural interface biomaterials was investigated. Materials & methods: Mechanical and electrical properties of medium chain length-polyhydroxyalkanoate/MWCNTs nanocomposite films were evaluated by tensile test and electrical impedance spectroscopy, respectively. Primary rat mesencephalic cells were seeded on the composites and quantitative immunostaining of relevant neural biomarkers, and electrical stimulation studies were performed. Results: Incorporation of MWCNTs to the polymeric matrix modulated the mechanical and electrical properties of resulting composites, and promoted differential cell viability, morphology and function as a function of MWCNT concentration. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility of a green thermoplastic MWCNTs nanocomposite for potential use in neural interfacing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Vallejo-Giraldo
- CÚRAM – Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Eugenia Pugliese
- CÚRAM – Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Aitor Larrañaga
- CÚRAM – Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Mining-Metallurgy Engineering & Materials Science & POLYMAT, School of Engineering, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) 480130 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Marc A Fernandez-Yague
- CÚRAM – Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - James J Britton
- CÚRAM – Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Alexandre Trotier
- CÚRAM – Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Ghazal Tadayyon
- CÚRAM – Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Adriona Kelly
- CÚRAM – Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Ilaria Rago
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 2-34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jose-Ramon Sarasua
- Department of Mining-Metallurgy Engineering & Materials Science & POLYMAT, School of Engineering, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) 480130 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Eilís Dowd
- CÚRAM – Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 2-34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Leo R Quinlan
- CÚRAM – Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Abhay Pandit
- CÚRAM – Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Manus JP Biggs
- CÚRAM – Centre for Research in Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
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Mokarian-Tabari P, Vallejo-Giraldo C, Fernandez-Yague M, Cummins C, Morris MA, Biggs MJP. Nanoscale neuroelectrode modification via sub-20 nm silicon nanowires through self-assembly of block copolymers. J Mater Sci Mater Med 2015; 26:120. [PMID: 25677116 DOI: 10.1007/s10856-015-5426-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Neuroprosthetic technologies for therapeutic neuromodulation have seen major advances in recent years but these advances have been impeded due to electrode failure or a temporal deterioration in the device recording or electrical stimulation potential. This deterioration is attributed to an intrinsic host tissue response, namely glial scarring or gliosis, which prevents the injured neurons from sprouting, drives neurite processes away from the neuroelectrode and increases signal impedance by increasing the distance between the electrode and its target neurons. To address this problem, there is a clinical need to reduce tissue encapsulation of the electrodes in situ and improve long-term neuroelectrode function. Nanotopographical modification has emerged as a potent methodology for the disruption of protein adsorption and cellular adhesion in vitro. This study investigates the use of block copolymer self-assembly technique for the generation of sub-20 nm nanowire features on silicon substrates. Critically, these nanostructures were observed to significantly reduce electrical impedance and increase conductivity. Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells cultured on nanowire substrates for up to 14 days were associated with enhanced focal adhesion reinforcement and a reduction in proliferation. We conclude that nanowire surface modulation may offer significant potential as an electrode functionalization strategy.
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Taylor KE, Vallejo-Giraldo C, Schaible NS, Zakeri R, Miller VM. Reporting of sex as a variable in cardiovascular studies using cultured cells. Biol Sex Differ 2011; 2:11. [PMID: 22060014 PMCID: PMC3224776 DOI: 10.1186/2042-6410-2-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2011] [Accepted: 11/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chromosomal complement, including that provided by the sex chromosomes, influences expression of proteins and molecular signaling in every cell. However, less than 50% of the scientific studies published in 2009 using experimental animals reported sex as a biological variable. Because every cell has a sex, we conducted a literature review to determine the extent to which sex is reported as a variable in cardiovascular studies on cultured cells. Methods Articles from 10 cardiovascular journals with high impact factors (Circulation, J Am Coll Cardiol, Eur Heart J, Circ Res, Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, Cardiovasc Res, J Mol Cell Cardiol, Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, J Heart Lung Transplant and J Cardiovasc Pharmacol) and published in 2010 were searched using terms 'cultured' and 'cells' in any order to determine if the sex of those cells was reported. Studies using established cell lines were excluded. Results Using two separate search strategies, we found that only 25 of 90 articles (28%) and 20 of 101 articles (19.8%) reported the sex of cells. Of those reporting the sex of cells, most (68.9%; n = 31) used only male cells and none used exclusively female cells. In studies reporting the sex of cells of cardiovascular origin, 40% used vascular smooth-muscle cells, and 30% used stem/progenitor cells. In studies using cells of human origin, 35% did not report the sex of those cells. None of the studies using neonatal cardiac myocytes reported the sex of those cells. Conclusions The complement of sex chromosomes in cells studied in culture has the potential to affect expression of proteins and 'mechanistic' signaling pathways. Therefore, consistent with scientific excellence, editorial policies should require reporting sex of cells used in in vitro experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Efua Taylor
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Catalina Vallejo-Giraldo
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Niccole S Schaible
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Rosita Zakeri
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Virginia M Miller
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA.,Departments of Surgery, Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
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