title: The effects of graphene nanostructures on mesenchymal stem cells.
abstract: We report the effects of two-dimensional graphene nanostructures; graphene nano-onions (GNOs), graphene oxide nanoribbons (GONRs), and graphene oxide nanoplatelets (GONPs) on viability, and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Cytotoxicity of GNOs, GONRs, and GONPs dispersed in distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[amino(polyethylene glycol)] (DSPE-PEG), on adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (adMSCs), and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (bmMSCs) was assessed by AlamarBlue and Calcein AM viability assays at concentrations ranging from 5 to 300 μg/ml for 24 or 72 h. Cytotoxicity of the 2D graphene nanostructures was found to be dose dependent, not time dependent, with concentrations less than 50 μg/ml showing no significant differences compared to untreated controls. Differentiation potential of adMSCs to adipocytes and osteoblasts, - characterized by Oil Red O staining and elution, alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium matrix deposition and Alizarin Red S staining - did not change significantly when treated with the three graphene nanoparticles at a low (10 μg/ml) and high (50 μg/ml) concentration for 24 h. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal Raman spectroscopy indicated cellular uptake of only GNOs and GONPs. The results lay the foundation for the use of these nanoparticles at potentially safe doses as ex vivo labels for MSC-based imaging and therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5281.
authors.forename: Yahfi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Talukdar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5281.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rashkow
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5281.
authors.forename: Gaurav
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lalwani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5281.
authors.forename: Shruti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanakia
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5281.
authors.forename: Balaji
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sitharaman
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
chemical_list: D006108:Graphite; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase
keywords: Carbon nanoparticles; Differentiation; Graphene; Stem cells