Axonal alignment and enhanced neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells on graphene-nanoparticle hybrid structures

Adv Mater. 2013 Oct 11;25(38):5477-82. doi: 10.1002/adma.201302219. Epub 2013 Jul 4.

Abstract

Human neural stem cells (hNSCs) cultured on graphene-nanoparticle hybrid structures show a unique behavior wherein the axons from the differentiating hNSCs show enhanced growth and alignment. We show that the axonal alignment is primarily due to the presence of graphene and the underlying nanoparticle monolayer causes enhanced neuronal differentiation of the hNSCs, thus having great implications of these hybrid-nanostructures for neuro-regenerative medicine.

Keywords: axonal alignment; graphene-coated nanostructures; neural stem cells; stem cell differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Axons / drug effects*
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Graphite / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Neural Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Neural Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Oxides / chemistry
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Oxides
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Graphite