title: Activated charcoal composite biomaterial promotes human embryonic stem cell differentiation toward neuronal lineage.
abstract: Transplantation of biomaterial scaffolds encasing human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) has been proposed as a clinical therapy for various neurological lesions and disorders. In light of recent developments, artificially synthesized carbon-based biomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene have demonstrated feasibility in supporting stem cell attachment and differentiation. However, the applicability is significantly hampered by evidence of nanotoxic effects on multiple cell types. Thus, an emergent drive for an innovative carbonaceous biomaterial calls for a safer platform with comparable advantageous characteristics. Here, we showed for the first time, a natural coal-based activated charcoal (AC) composite biosubstrate can support and promote neuronal differentiation in hESCs. The bio-friendly AC composite biomatrices resulted in more matured neuron-like cells. Both of axonal length and density were at least twice as long and abundant, respectively, when compared with control groups. A functional assay demonstrated that the derived neuron-like cells responded to depolarization-dependent synaptic recycling and may contain active synapses. In addition, the AC composite substrate can serve to concentrate growth factors and cell adhesion proteins, further encouraging attachment and hESC differentiation. Moreover, the AC composite biomaterial can potentially be economically manufactured as implantable three-dimensional bioscaffolds, facilitating the regeneration of damaged neural and other tissues.
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering Program, University of California, Merced, California 95343, USA.
authors.forename: Eric Y T
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yung-Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mintz
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Chi-Shuo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Thien
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Wei-Chun
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chin
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001681:Biological Assay; D002417:Cattle; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000187:drug effects*; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002606:Charcoal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C073804:FM1 43; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D014404:Tubulin; D002606:Charcoal; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D003094:Collagen