Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T01:32:13.558Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Scaffolds Promote Stem Cell Differentiation into Bone Forming Cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Xiaomin Tu
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Arkansas Little Rock, Department of Chemistry, 2801 South University Avenue, Little Rock, AR, 72204, United States, 501-569-3537, 501-569-8838
Charles M Skinner
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, 4301 West Markham, Slot 587,, Little Rock, AR, 72205, United States
Xiao-Dong Chen
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, 4301 West Markham, Slot 587,, Little Rock, AR, 72205, United States
Wei Zhao
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Arkansas Little Rock, Department of Chemistry, 2801 South University Avenue, Little Rock, AR, 72204, United States
Get access

Abstract

The use of carbon nanotubes for tissue engineering has become one of the most fascinating applications. The exquisite electronic and mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes may provide a three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment that closely mimics in vivo situation for facilitating the use of stem cells in the tissue regeneration. Therefore, it is important to know whether carbon nanotubes enhance the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of stem cells. Here, we hypothesized that the carbon nanotubes promote the differentiation of osteoblast progenitors into mature osteoblasts. To test this hypothesis, we quantified the differentiation of murine osteoblast progenitors, with and without pro-differentiating growth factor Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP-2), cultured on the 3D scaffolds made by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Three types of SWNT samples, chitosan functionalized SWNTs, acid-oxidized SWNTs, and surfactant-free pristine SWNTs were used for the construction of these 3D microarchitectures. Osteoblast progenitors were harvested from calvariae from 3∼5-day-old mice, and cultured on the 3D scaffolds made by carbon nanotubes until ∼ 80% confluent. Then the cells were treated with BMP-2 (100 ng/ml) for 5 days. It was found that osteoblast progenitors cultured on the SWNTs dramatically increased the level of mature osteoblastic marker osteocalcin in either the absence or the presence of BMP-2, as compared to the cells cultured on the regulate tissue culture plastic plates. The results suggested that SWNTs highly promote osteoblast progenitor differentiation into mature osteoblasts. The finding indicates that SWNTs may provide an ideal scaffold for facilitating the differentiation of osteoblast progenitors in the repair of bone defects.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Muschler, George F., Nakamoto, Chizu and Griffith, Linda G., "Engineering principles of clinical cell-based tissue engineering," J. Bone Joint Surg. Am. 86A (7), 15411558 (2004).Google Scholar
2 Horch, R. Adam et al. , "Nanoreinforcement of Poly(propylene fumarate)-Based Networks with Surface Modified Aluminoxane Nanoparticles for Bone Tissue Engineering." Biomacromolecules 5 (5), 19901998 (2004).Google Scholar
3 Lopez-Lacomba, J. L. et al. , "Use of rhBMP-2 Activated Chitosan Films To Improve Osseointegration." Biomacromolecules 7 (3), 792798 (2006).Google Scholar
4 Zhao, Bin et al. , "A Bone Mimic Based on the Self-Assembly of Hydroxyapatite on Chemically Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes." Chem. Mater. 17 (12), 32353241 (2005).Google Scholar
5 MacDonald, Rebecca A. et al. , "Collagen-carbon nanotube composite materials as scaffolds in tissue engineering." J. Biomed. Mater. Res., Part A 74A (3), 489496 (2005).Google Scholar
6 Price, Rachel L. et al. , "Selective bone cell adhesion on formulations containing carbon nanofibers." Biomaterials. 24 (11), 18771887 (2003).Google Scholar
7 Stroscio, Michael A. and Dutta, Mitra, Biological nanostructures and applications of nanostructures in biology: electrical, mechanical, and optical properties (Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, 2004), pp. 178.Google Scholar
8 Zanello, Laura P. et al. , "Bone Cell Proliferation on Carbon Nanotubes." Nano Lett. 6 (3), 562567 (2006).Google Scholar
9 Zhao, Wei, Song, Chulho and Pehrsson, Pehr E., "Water-Soluble and Optically pH-Sensitive Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes from Surface Modification." J. Am. Chem. Soc. 124 (42), 1241812419 (2002).Google Scholar
10 Wang, Shao-Feng et al. , "Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Chitosan/Carbon Nanotubes Composites." Biomacromolecules 6 (6), 30673072 (2005).Google Scholar