Graphene Functionalized Scaffolds Reduce the Inflammatory Response and Supports Endogenous Neuroblast Migration when Implanted in the Adult Brain

PLoS One. 2016 Mar 15;11(3):e0151589. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151589. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Electroactive materials have been investigated as next-generation neuronal tissue engineering scaffolds to enhance neuronal regeneration and functional recovery after brain injury. Graphene, an emerging neuronal scaffold material with charge transfer properties, has shown promising results for neuronal cell survival and differentiation in vitro. In this in vivo work, electrospun microfiber scaffolds coated with self-assembled colloidal graphene, were implanted into the striatum or into the subventricular zone of adult rats. Microglia and astrocyte activation levels were suppressed with graphene functionalization. In addition, self-assembled graphene implants prevented glial scarring in the brain 7 weeks following implantation. Astrocyte guidance within the scaffold and redirection of neuroblasts from the subventricular zone along the implants was also demonstrated. These findings provide new functional evidence for the potential use of graphene scaffolds as a therapeutic platform to support central nervous system regeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / drug effects
  • Astrocytes / physiology
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cicatrix / prevention & control*
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / toxicity
  • Colloids
  • Corpus Striatum / injuries
  • Corpus Striatum / pathology*
  • Corpus Striatum / physiology
  • Electric Capacitance
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Foreign-Body Reaction / etiology
  • Foreign-Body Reaction / prevention & control*
  • Gliosis / prevention & control*
  • Graphite / administration & dosage
  • Graphite / pharmacology*
  • Inflammation
  • Lateral Ventricles / injuries
  • Lateral Ventricles / pathology*
  • Lateral Ventricles / physiology
  • Male
  • Materials Testing
  • Microglia / drug effects
  • Microglia / physiology
  • Microtechnology
  • Nanostructures / administration & dosage*
  • Nanostructures / adverse effects
  • Nerve Regeneration / drug effects*
  • Neural Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Neurogenesis / drug effects*
  • Prostheses and Implants / adverse effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Tissue Scaffolds* / adverse effects

Substances

  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Colloids
  • Graphite

Grants and funding

This research was supported under Australian Research Council's Discovery Projects funding scheme (DP0985433 & DP140100803). Prof. Claude Bernard is supported by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia/CIRM Joint Project (APP1053621), the Victoria/CIRM Joint Project (RMI-01739) and the Department of Industry, Commonwealth of Australia (AISRF06680). Prof. Dan Li was supported under Australian Research Council’s Future Fellowships scheme (FT110100341).