title: Electrical Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Schwann-Cell-Like Phenotypes Using Inkjet-Printed Graphene Circuits.
abstract: Graphene-based materials (GBMs) have displayed tremendous promise for use as neurointerfacial substrates as they enable favorable adhesion, growth, proliferation, spreading, and migration of immobilized cells. This study reports the first case of the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into Schwann cell (SC)-like phenotypes through the application of electrical stimuli from a graphene-based electrode. Electrical differentiation of MSCs into SC-like phenotypes is carried out on a flexible, inkjet-printed graphene interdigitated electrode (IDE) circuit that is made highly conductive (sheet resistance < 1 kΩ/sq) via a postprint pulse-laser annealing process. MSCs immobilized on the graphene printed IDEs and electrically stimulated/treated (etMSCs) display significant enhanced cellular differentiation and paracrine activity above conventional chemical treatment strategies [≈85% of the etMSCs differentiated into SC-like phenotypes with ≈80 ng mL-1of nerve growth factor (NGF) secretion vs. 75% and ≈55 ng mL-1for chemically treated MSCs (ctMSCs)]. These results help pave the way for in vivo peripheral nerve regeneration where the flexible graphene electrodes could conform to the injury site and provide intimate electrical simulation for nerve cell regrowth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.|Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames Laboratory Department of Energy, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Suprem R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uz
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Shaowei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Lentner
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hondred
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Allison A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Cargill
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.|Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Donald S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Sakaguchi
authors.affiliation: Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames Laboratory Department of Energy, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.|Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Surya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mallapragada
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.|Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames Laboratory Department of Energy, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Claussen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006108:Graphite
keywords: graphene; mesenchymal stem cell differentiation; nerve cell growth; printable electronics; schwann cells