Theanine-Modified Graphene Oxide Composite Films for Neural Stem Cells Proliferation and Differentiation

Su Pan,Wenlai Guo,Chuan Fu,Xue Chen,Zhiping Qi

doi:10.1155/2020/3068173

Abstract

The central nervous system (CNS) injury has been a worldwide clinical problem for regenerative medicine. Nerve tissue engineering is a new strategy for CNS injury. Among kinds of biomaterials, graphene oxide (GO)-based degradable composite materials are considered to be promising in the field of neurogenesis. In this study, GO and L-theanine (TH) were combined by chemical grafting to prepare a new PLGA/GO-TH composite material. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FTIR), contact angle testers, and mechanical testers were performed to obtain characterization of composite materials. The protein adsorption efficiency of the PLGA/GO-TH films was then evaluated. Next, the effect of the composite films on neural stem cell (NSC) survival, proliferation, and differentiation was investigated. Our results indicated that L-theanine was successfully grafted onto GO. PLGA/GO-TH composite film can significantly improve NSC survival, proliferation, and neuronal differentiation. Our results demonstrated that the neurogenesis function of a novel PLGA/GO-TH composite film and its potential as a carrier for the further application in the CNS injury.

Highlights

The central nervous system (CNS) injury can always cause sensory and motor dysfunction, which has been difficult to overcome in the regenerative field [1]
After grafting L-theanine, the surface roughness of the Graphene oxide (GO)-TH hybrid significantly increased, and the amino acid molecules were observed on the surface
After the modification of GO by L-theanine, we found that the new Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/GO-TH composite film further promotes the differentiation of neural stem cell (NSC) into neurons

Summary

Introduction

The central nervous system (CNS) injury can always cause sensory and motor dysfunction, which has been difficult to overcome in the regenerative field [1]. Amino acids contain several functional groups, which could enhance the adhesion of cells or proteins through hydrogen bonding or electrostatic attraction [10,11,12]. In consideration of these functional groups, amino acids could surfacemodify some materials by chemical grafting [13]. To further enhance the bioactivity of GO to promote nerve regeneration, we stably combined L-theanine and GO by chemical grafting. The effect of the PLGA/GO-TH film on NSC survival, proliferation, and differentiation was measured to evaluate the potential of the L-theanine-modified GO composite materials in nerve regeneration

Materials and Methods

Results and Discussion

Conclusion

Conflicts of Interest