Graphene microfiber as a scaffold for regulation of neural stem cells differentiation

Sci Rep. 2017 Jul 18;7(1):5678. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-06051-z.

Abstract

We report the cytocompatibility and regulating effects of the nanostructured reduced graphene oxide (rGO) microfibers, which are synthesized through a capillary hydrothermal method, on neural differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs). Our findings indicate that the flexible, mechanically strong, surface nanoporous, biodegradable, and cytocompatible nanostructured rGO microfibers not only offer a more powerful substrate for NSCs adhesion and proliferation compared with 2D graphene film and tissue cluture plate but also regulate the NSCs differentiation into neurons and form a dense neural network surrounding the microfiber. These results illustrate the great potential of nanostructured rGO microfibers as an artificial neural tissue engineering (NTE) scaffold for nerve regeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nerve Net
  • Neural Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*

Substances

  • graphene oxide
  • Graphite