Graphene for controlled and accelerated osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells

ACS Nano. 2011 Jun 28;5(6):4670-8. doi: 10.1021/nn200500h. Epub 2011 May 11.

Abstract

Current tissue engineering approaches combine different scaffold materials with living cells to provide biological substitutes that can repair and eventually improve tissue functions. Both natural and synthetic materials have been fabricated for transplantation of stem cells and their specific differentiation into muscles, bones, and cartilages. One of the key objectives for bone regeneration therapy to be successful is to direct stem cells' proliferation and to accelerate their differentiation in a controlled manner through the use of growth factors and osteogenic inducers. Here we show that graphene provides a promising biocompatible scaffold that does not hamper the proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and accelerates their specific differentiation into bone cells. The differentiation rate is comparable to the one achieved with common growth factors, demonstrating graphene's potential for stem cell research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Bone and Bones / pathology
  • Cartilage / pathology
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / chemistry
  • Graphite / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods
  • Nylons / chemistry
  • Osteogenesis*
  • Pressure
  • Tissue Engineering

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Nylons
  • poly(dimethylsiloxane)-polyamide copolymer
  • Graphite