Involved people: Enzo Menna, Miriam Mba, Stefania Benazzato
This research is focused on the design, preparation and characterization of novel polymer nanocomposite (PNC) materials for biomedical applications, based on carbon nanostructures (CNSs) such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as nanofillers and biocompatible polymers as a matrix.
We recently demonstrated the possibility of boosting human neuronal cells growth/differentiation on a nanocomposite free-standing scaffold obtained by efficiently dispersing soluble organic derivatives of CNTs in a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) matrix. The electrical resistance of the nanocomposite scaffold resulted more than one order of magnitude lower than that of a pure PLLA scaffold. Cells showed better adhesion to the MWCNT-PLLA scaffold in comparison with pure PLLA and, in addition, they presented a higher total neurite length. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of cells cultured onto the PNC scaffold show an evidently healthy morphology and the outgrowth of neurites attaching to the scaffold surface, with intimate contact between this last one and the neuronal membrane (Figure a-b). As a rational extension of this concept, we obtained a nanofibrous matrix, via electrospinning a CNT-PLLA nanocomposite solution, as a biocompatible scaffold for neuronal growth, aimed at better mimicking the extracellular matrix. Indeed, by using this scaffold as support for cells growth, the extension of neurites along the direction of the nanofibers was evidenced (Figure c).
Electrostatic fields generated at the interface between cells and scaffold might favor cell growth by tuning their membrane potential. The inclusion of functionalized MWCNTs in the insulating PLA matrix resulted in differences in the surface potential of the fibers.
SEM, immunocytochemistry, Rt-qPCR, and electrophysiology revealed that fibroblasts grown on PLA/MWCNT reached a healthier state as compared to pure PLA.
A new electroconductive composite scaffold based on oxidized polyvinyl alcohol (OxPVA) and a water soluble a MWCNT derivative (OxPVA+MWCNT-S) was prepared and tested in vivo.
Neither cytotoxicity nor local signs of inflammation were detected in vitro and after subcutaneous implantation (14 and 42 days), proving composite material biocompatibility. OxPVA+MWCNT-S revealed as promising for future electroconductive conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration.
Regen. Biomater., 2025, 10.1093/rb/rbaf108
Small, 2025, 21, 2504992
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2025, 13, 8105-8120
J. Sci.: Adv. Mater. Devices, 2024, 9, 100762.
ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2024, 16, 3093-3105.
Nanomaterials 2021, 11, 404.
Nanomaterials 2020, 10, 415.
Mater. Chem. Phys., 2018, 214, 265-276.
Nanomedicine 2016, 11, 1929-1946
Nanomed.-Nanotechnol. Biol. Med. 2015, 11, 621-632.
Carbon 2015, 95, 725–730.