Laser-Structured Si and PLGA Inhibit the Neuro2a Differentiation in Mono- and Co-Culture with Glia

BACKGROUND

The first step towards a successful neural tissue engineering therapy is the development of an appropriate scaffold and the in vitro study of the cellular response onto it.

METHODS

Here, we fabricated nano- and micro- patterned Si surfaces via direct ultrafast laser irradiation, as well as their replicas in the biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide), in order to use them as culture substrates for neuronal cells. The differentiation of neuro2a cells on the Si platforms and their replicas was studied both in a mono-culture and in a co-culture with glial cells (Schwann-SW10).

RESULTS

It was found that the substrate's roughness inhibits the differentiation of the neuronal cells even in the presence of the differentiation medium, and the higher the roughness is, the more the differentiation gets limited.

CONCLUSION

Our results highlight the importance of the substrate's topography for the controlled growth and differentiation of the neuronal cells and their further study via protein screening methods could shed light on the factors that lead to limited differentiation; thus, contributing to the long standing request for culture substrates that induce cells to differentiate.

Antibiotic-loaded amphora-shaped pores on a titanium implant surface enhance osteointegration and prevent infections

Artificial prostheses for joint replacement are indispensable in orthopedic surgery. Unfortunately, the implanted surface is attractive to not only host cells but also bacteria. To enable better osteointegration, a mechanically stable porous structure was created on a titanium surface using laser treatment and metallic silver particles were embedded in a hydrophilic titanium oxide layer on top. The laser structuring resulted in unique amphora-shaped pores. Due to their hydrophilic surface conditions and capillary forces, the pores can be loaded preoperative with the antibiotic of choice/need, such as gentamicin. Cytotoxicity and differentiation assays with primary human osteoblast-like cells revealed no negative effect of the surface modification with or without gentamicin loading. An in vivo biocompatibility study showed significantly enhanced osteointegration as measured by push-out testing and histomorphometry 56 days after the implantation of the K-wires into rat femora. Using a S. aureus infection model, the porous, silver-coated K-wires slightly reduced the signs of bone destruction, while the wires were still colonized after 28 days. Loading the amphora-shaped pores with gentamicin significantly reduced the histopathological signs of bone destruction and no bacteria were detected on the wires. Taken together, this novel surface modification can be applied to new or established orthopedic implants. It enables preoperative loading with the antibiotic of choice/need without further equipment or post-coating, and supports osteointegration without a negative effect of the released dug, such as gentamicin.

Laser-induced topographies enable the spatial patterning of co-cultured peripheral nervous system cells

The peripheral nervous system comprises glia and neurons that receive the necessary cues for their adhesion and proliferation from their extracellular milieu. In this study, a spatial platform of pseudoperiodic morphologies including patterns of nano- and micro- structures on Si were developed via direct ultrafast-laser structuring and were used as substrates for the patterning of co-cultured neuronal cells. The response of murine Schwann (SW10) and Neuro2a (N2a) cells were investigated both in monocultures and in a glia and neuronal co-culture system. Our results denoted that different types of neural tissue cells respond differently to the underlying topography, but furthermore, the presence of the glial cells alters the adhesion behavior of the neuronal cells in their co-culture. Therefore, we envisage that direct laser structuring that enables spatial patterning of the cells of the nervous system in a controllable manner according to the research needs, could in the future be a useful tool for understanding neural network interfaces and their electrical activity, synaptic processes and myelin formation.

Bond strength enhancement of zirconia-porcelain interfaces via Nd:YAG laser surface structuring

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of laser surface structuring on the bond strength of feldspar-based porcelain to zirconia, as compared to conventional sandblasting treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty cylindrical zirconia substrates, previously sintered, were divided in three groups according to the type of surface conditioning: 1) sandblasting with 50 µm Al₂O₃; 2) laser structuring (Ø25 µm holes); and 3) laser structuring (Ø50 µm holes). Porcelain was injected onto the zirconia substrates. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) was used to evaluate the influence of the laser treatment on zirconia crystallographic phases. Shear bond strength test was performed. Micrographs using SEM were used to evaluate the zirconia surface after each surface treatment and to evaluate the fracture surface after the shear test.

RESULTS

The laser-structured groups presented the highest shear bond strength (65 ± 16 MPa and 65 ± 11 MPa, for the 25 µm and 50 µm holes, respectively). The sandblasting samples presented shear bond strength of 37 ± 16 MPa. XRD analysis showed that there was no phase transformation on the thermally affected surface due to laser action. Microcracks were created at some holes due to the high temperature gradient generated by laser.

SIGNIFICANCE

Laser structuring significantly increased (up to 75%) the shear bond strength of zirconia to veneering porcelain as compared to conventional sandblasting treatment. Therefore, laser structuring arises as a surface conditioning method for producing stronger and long lasting zirconia-porcelain interfaces.

Adaptive camouflage: what can be learned from the wetting behaviour of the tropical flat bugs Dysodius lunatus and Dysodiusmagnus

The neotropical flat bug species Dysodius lunatus and Dysodius magnus show a fascinating camouflage principle, as their appearance renders the animal hardly visible on the bark of trees. However, when getting wet due to rain, bark changes its colour and gets darker. In order to keep the camouflage effect, it seems that some Dysodius species benefit from their ability to hold a water film on their cuticle and therefore change their optical properties when also wetted by water. This camouflage behaviour requires the insect to have a hydrophilic surface and passive surface structures which facilitate the liquid spreading. Here we show morphological and chemical characterisations of the surface, especially the cuticular waxes of D. magnus Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the animal is covered with pillar-like microstructures which, in combination with a surprising chemical hydrophilicity of the cuticle waxes, render the bug almost superhydrophilic: water spreads immediately across the surface. We could theoretically model this behaviour assuming the effect of hemi-wicking (a state in which a droplet sits on a rough surface, partwise imbibing the structure around).  Additionally the principle was abstracted and a laser-patterned polymer surface, mimicking the structure and contact angle of Dysodius wax, shows exactly the behaviour of the natural role model - immediate spreading of water and the formation of a thin continuous water film changing optical properties of the surface.

Laser-structured bacterial nanocellulose hydrogels support ingrowth and differentiation of chondrocytes and show potential as cartilage implants

The small size and heterogeneity of the pores in bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) hydrogels limit the ingrowth of cells and their use as tissue-engineered implant materials. The use of placeholders during BNC biosynthesis or post-processing steps such as (touch-free) laser perforation can overcome this limitation. Since three-dimensionally arranged channels may be required for homogeneous and functional seeding, three-dimensional (3-D) laser perforation of never-dried BNC hydrogels was performed. Never-dried BNC hydrogels were produced in different shapes by: (i) the cultivation of Gluconacetobacter xylinus (DSM 14666; synonym Komagataeibacter xylinus) in nutrient medium; (ii) the removal of bacterial residues/media components (0.1M NaOH; 30 min; 100 °C) and repeated washing (deionized water; pH 5.8); (iii) the unidirectional or 3-D laser perforation and cutting (pulsed CO2 Rofin SC × 10 laser; 220 μm channel diameter); and (iv) the final autoclaving (2M NaOH; 121 °C; 20 min) and washing (pyrogen-free water). In comparison to unmodified BNC, unidirectionally perforated--and particularly 3-D-perforated - BNC allowed ingrowth into and movement of vital bovine/human chondrocytes throughout the BNC nanofiber network. Laser perforation caused limited structural modifications (i.e. fiber or globular aggregates), but no chemical modifications, as indicated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron scattering and viability tests. Pre-cultured human chondrocytes seeding the surface/channels of laser-perforated BNC expressed cartilage-specific matrix products, indicating chondrocyte differentiation. 3-D-perforated BNC showed compressive strength comparable to that of unmodified samples. Unidirectionally or 3-D-perforated BNC shows high biocompatibility and provides short diffusion distances for nutrients and extracellular matrix components. Also, the resulting channels support migration into the BNC, matrix production and phenotypic stabilization of chondrocytes. It may thus be suitable for in vivo application, e.g. as a cartilage replacement material.