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In this manuscript, we demonstrate the preparation of a biohybrid hydrogel bioink containing graphene for use in peripheral tissue engineering. Using this 3D biohybrid material, the neural differentiation protocol of stem cells is performed. This can be an important step in bringing similar biomaterials to the clinic.
Peripheral neuropathies can occur as a result of axonal damage, and occasionally due to demyelinating diseases. Peripheral nerve damage is a global problem that occurs in 1.5%-5% of emergency patients and may lead to significant job losses. Today, tissue engineering-based approaches, consisting of scaffolds, appropriate cell lines, and biosignals, have become more applicable with the development of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technologies. The combination of various hydrogel biomaterials with stem cells, exosomes, or bio-signaling molecules is frequently studied to overcome the existing problems in peripheral nerve regeneration. Accordingly, the production of injectable systems, such as hydrogels, or implantable conduit structures formed by various bioprinting methods has gained importance in peripheral neuro-engineering. Under normal conditions, stem cells are the regenerative cells of the body, and their number and functions do not decrease with time to protect their populations; these are not specialized cells but can differentiate upon appropriate stimulation in response to injury. The stem cell system is under the influence of its microenvironment, called the stem cell niche. In peripheral nerve injuries, especially in neurotmesis, this microenvironment cannot be fully rescued even after surgically binding severed nerve endings together. The composite biomaterials and combined cellular therapies approach increases the functionality and applicability of materials in terms of various properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and processability. Accordingly, this study aims to demonstrate the preparation and use of graphene-based biohybrid hydrogel patterning and to examine the differentiation efficiency of stem cells into nerve cells, which can be an effective solution in nerve regeneration.
The nervous system, which is the mechanism that bridges the internal structure of the organism and the environment, is divided into two parts: the central and peripheral nervous systems. Peripheral nerve damage is a global problem that constitutes 1.5%-5% of the patients who present to the emergency department and develops due to various traumas, leading to significant job loss1,2,3.
Today, cellular approaches to peripheral neuro-engineering are of great interest. Stem cells come first among the cells used in these approaches. Under normal conditio....
1. Culturing of Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells
Graphene toxicity and 2D imaging
Statistical analysis of the obtained MTT results was conducted with a one-way ANOVA with Tukey's test in statistical analysis software, and the graph obtained is shown in Figure 2. The graphene percentage compared to control showed a significant decrease only for the 0.001% graphene concentration (**p < 0.01).. There were no significant differences between the other groups and the control (p > 0.05). Therefore, the optimum g.......
The advantages of treatments applied with engineered 3D scaffolds over conventional 2D methods are becoming more and more noticeable every day. Stem cells used alone in these therapies or along with scaffolds produced from various biomaterials with low biocompatibility and biodegradability are usually inadequate in peripheral nerve regeneration. Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) seem to be a suitable candidate cell line, especially considering the optimization of the protocols for acquisition, their prolif.......
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. The project was performed in collaboration with HD Bioink, developer of the 3D bioprinting technology.
The graphene used in this study was developed at Kirklareli University, Department of Mechanical Engineering. It was donated by Dr. Karabeyoğlu. The graphene toxicity test was financed by the project titled "Printing and Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on 3D Bioprinters with Graphene Doped Bioinks" (Application No: 1139B411802273) completed within the scope of TÜBİTAK 2209-B-Industry-Oriented Undergraduate Thesis Support Program. The other part of the study was supported by the research fund provided by Yildiz Technical University Scientific Research Projects (TSA-2021-4713). Mesenchymal stem cells with GFP used in the time-lapse imagi....
Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
Centrifugal | Hitachi | Used in cell culture and biomaterial step | |
0.1N CaCl2 | HD Bioink | Used for crosslinker | |
0.22 µm membrane filter | Aιsιmo | Used for sterilization | |
0.45 µm syringe filter | Aιsιmo | Used for sterilization | |
1.5mL conic tube | Eppendorfa | Used for bioink drop | |
15mL Falcon tube | Nest | Used in cell culture step | |
25 cm2 cell culture flasks (Falcon, TPP tissue culture flasks | Nest | Used for cell culture | |
3D Bioprinting | Axolotl Biosystems Bio A2 (Turkey) | Bioprinting Step | |
50 mL Falcon tube | Nest | Used in cell culture step | |
6/24/48/96 well plates (Falcon, TPP microplates) | Merck Millipore | Used in cell culture step | |
75 cm2 cell culture flasks (Falcon, TPP tissue culture flasks | Nest | Used for cell culture | |
Anti mouse IgG-FTIC-rabbit | Santa Cruz Biotechnology | J1514 | Seconder antibody, used for dye |
Anti mouse IgG-SC2781-goat | Santa Cruz Biotechnology | C3109 | Seconder antibody, used for dye |
Au coating device EM ACE600 | Leica | for gold plating of biomaterial section before SEM imaging | |
Autoclave | NUVE-OT 90L | Used for the sterilization process. | |
Autoclave | NUVE-OT 90L | Used for the sterilization process. | |
Cell Cultre Cabine | Hera Safe KS | Used for the cell culture process | |
Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium/Nutrient Mixture-F12 | Sigma | RNBJ7249 | Used as cell culture medium |
FEI QUANTA 450 FEG ESEM SEM | Quanta | FEG 450 | for SEM |
Fetal Bovine Serum-FBS | Capricorn | FBS-16A | It was used by adding to the cell culture medium. |
Freezer -80°C | Panasonic | MDF-U5386S-PE | We were used to store cells and the resulting exosomes |
Gelatine-Alginate bioink powder | HD Bioink | Used for produced bioink step | |
GFP labelled-WJ-MSCs | Virostem | Used for imaging to cell-bioink interaction | |
Graphene nanoplatelets (Graphene-IGP2) | Grafen Chemical Industries Co. | Used for production 3D-G bioink | |
Immunofluorescence antibodies (N-CAD; β-III Tubulin) | Cell Signalling and Santa Cruz | Used for dye | |
JASCO 6600 | Tetra | for FTIR | |
MTT Assay | Sigma | Viability testing | |
Penicilin/Streptomycin Solution | Capricorn | PB-S | It was added to the medium to prevent contamination in cell culture. |
Thoma slide | Isolab | Used for counting the cell | |
Time-Lapse Imaging System | Zeiss Axio.Observer.Z1 | Imaging | |
Tripsin-EDTA | Multicell | The flask was used to remove the cells covering the surface. | |
Vorteks | Biobase | For produced bioink step | |
WJ-MSCs | ATCC | Used for the cell culture process |
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