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Lopes V, Moreira G, Bramini M, Capasso A. The potential of graphene coatings as neural interfaces. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2024; 9:384-406. [PMID: 38231692 DOI: 10.1039/d3nh00461a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in nanotechnology design and fabrication have shaped the landscape for the development of ideal cell interfaces based on biomaterials. A holistic evaluation of the requirements for a cell interface is a highly complex task. Biocompatibility is a crucial requirement which is affected by the interface's properties, including elemental composition, morphology, and surface chemistry. This review explores the current state-of-the-art on graphene coatings produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and applied as neural interfaces, detailing the key properties required to design an interface capable of physiologically interacting with neural cells. The interfaces are classified into substrates and scaffolds to differentiate the planar and three-dimensional environments where the cells can adhere and proliferate. The role of specific features such as mechanical properties, porosity and wettability are investigated. We further report on the specific brain-interface applications where CVD graphene paved the way to revolutionary advances in biomedicine. Future studies on the long-term effects of graphene-based materials in vivo will unlock even more potentially disruptive neuro-applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Lopes
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Gabriel Moreira
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Mattia Bramini
- Department of Cell Biology, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - Andrea Capasso
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal.
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2
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Detection and modulation of neurodegenerative processes using graphene-based nanomaterials: Nanoarchitectonics and applications. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 311:102824. [PMID: 36549182 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2022.102824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) are caused by progressive loss of functional neurons following the aggregation and fibrillation of proteins in the central nervous system. The incidence rate continues to rise alarmingly worldwide, particularly in aged population, and the success of treatment remains limited to symptomatic relief. Graphene nanomaterials (GNs) have attracted immense interest on the account of their unique physicochemical and optoelectronic properties. The research over the past two decades has recognized their ability to interact with aggregation-prone neuronal proteins, regulate autophagy and modulate the electrophysiology of neuronal cells. Graphene can prevent the formation of higher order protein aggregates and facilitate the clearance of such deposits. In this review, after highlighting the role of protein fibrillation in neurodegeneration, we have discussed how GN-protein interactions can be exploited for preventing neurodegeneration. A comprehensive understanding of such interactions would contribute to the exploration of novel modalities for controlling neurodegenerative processes.
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Girão AF, Serrano MC, Completo A, Marques PAAP. Is Graphene Shortening the Path toward Spinal Cord Regeneration? ACS NANO 2022; 16:13430-13467. [PMID: 36000717 PMCID: PMC9776589 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c04756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Along with the development of the next generation of biomedical platforms, the inclusion of graphene-based materials (GBMs) into therapeutics for spinal cord injury (SCI) has potential to nourish topmost neuroprotective and neuroregenerative strategies for enhancing neural structural and physiological recovery. In the context of SCI, contemplated as one of the most convoluted challenges of modern medicine, this review first provides an overview of its characteristics and pathophysiological features. Then, the most relevant ongoing clinical trials targeting SCI, including pharmaceutical, robotics/neuromodulation, and scaffolding approaches, are introduced and discussed in sequence with the most important insights brought by GBMs into each particular topic. The current role of these nanomaterials on restoring the spinal cord microenvironment after injury is critically contextualized, while proposing future concepts and desirable outputs for graphene-based technologies aiming to reach clinical significance for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- André F. Girão
- Centre
for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA), Department of Mechanical
Engineering, University of Aveiro (UA), Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
- Instituto
de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Calle Sor Juana Inés de la
Cruz 3, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- (A.F.G.)
| | - María Concepcion Serrano
- Instituto
de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Calle Sor Juana Inés de la
Cruz 3, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- (M.C.S.)
| | - António Completo
- Centre
for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA), Department of Mechanical
Engineering, University of Aveiro (UA), Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Paula A. A. P. Marques
- Centre
for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA), Department of Mechanical
Engineering, University of Aveiro (UA), Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
- (P.A.A.P.M.)
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Tupone MG, Panella G, d’Angelo M, Castelli V, Caioni G, Catanesi M, Benedetti E, Cimini A. An Update on Graphene-Based Nanomaterials for Neural Growth and Central Nervous System Regeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13047. [PMID: 34884851 PMCID: PMC8657785 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Thanks to their reduced size, great surface area, and capacity to interact with cells and tissues, nanomaterials present some attractive biological and chemical characteristics with potential uses in the field of biomedical applications. In this context, graphene and its chemical derivatives have been extensively used in many biomedical research areas from drug delivery to bioelectronics and tissue engineering. Graphene-based nanomaterials show excellent optical, mechanical, and biological properties. They can be used as a substrate in the field of tissue engineering due to their conductivity, allowing to study, and educate neural connections, and guide neural growth and differentiation; thus, graphene-based nanomaterials represent an emerging aspect in regenerative medicine. Moreover, there is now an urgent need to develop multifunctional and functionalized nanomaterials able to arrive at neuronal cells through the blood-brain barrier, to manage a specific drug delivery system. In this review, we will focus on the recent applications of graphene-based nanomaterials in vitro and in vivo, also combining graphene with other smart materials to achieve the best benefits in the fields of nervous tissue engineering and neural regenerative medicine. We will then highlight the potential use of these graphene-based materials to construct graphene 3D scaffolds able to stimulate neural growth and regeneration in vivo for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Tupone
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.G.T.); (G.P.); (M.d.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (M.C.); (A.C.)
- Center for Microscopy, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Gloria Panella
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.G.T.); (G.P.); (M.d.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (M.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Michele d’Angelo
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.G.T.); (G.P.); (M.d.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (M.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Vanessa Castelli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.G.T.); (G.P.); (M.d.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (M.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Giulia Caioni
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.G.T.); (G.P.); (M.d.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (M.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Mariano Catanesi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.G.T.); (G.P.); (M.d.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (M.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Elisabetta Benedetti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.G.T.); (G.P.); (M.d.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (M.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Annamaria Cimini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (M.G.T.); (G.P.); (M.d.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (M.C.); (A.C.)
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
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Moschetta M, Chiacchiaretta M, Cesca F, Roy I, Athanassiou A, Benfenati F, Papadopoulou EL, Bramini M. Graphene Nanoplatelets Render Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) a Suitable Scaffold to Promote Neuronal Network Development. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:731198. [PMID: 34616276 PMCID: PMC8488094 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.731198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of composite biomaterials as innovative bio-friendly neuronal interfaces has been poorly developed so far. Smart strategies to target neuro-pathologies are currently exploiting the mixed and complementary characteristics of composite materials to better design future neural interfaces. Here we present a polymer-based scaffold that has been rendered suitable for primary neurons by embedding graphene nanoplatelets (GnP). In particular, the growth, network formation, and functionality of primary neurons on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] polymer supports functionalized with various concentrations of GnP were explored. After growing primary cortical neurons onto the supports for 14 days, all specimens were found to be biocompatible, revealing physiological growth and maturation of the neuronal network. When network functionality was investigated by whole patch-clamp measurements, pure P(3HB) led to changes in the action potential waveform and reduction in firing frequency, resulting in decreased neuronal excitability. However, the addition of GnP to the polymer matrix restored the electrophysiological parameters to physiological values. Interestingly, a low concentration of graphene was able to promote firing activity at a low level of injected current. The results indicate that the P(3HB)/GnP composites show great potential for electrical interfacing with primary neurons to eventually target central nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Moschetta
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Chiacchiaretta
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Cesca
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Ipsita Roy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | | | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,IRCSS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Mattia Bramini
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Guo Z, Chakraborty S, Monikh FA, Varsou DD, Chetwynd AJ, Afantitis A, Lynch I, Zhang P. Surface Functionalization of Graphene-Based Materials: Biological Behavior, Toxicology, and Safe-By-Design Aspects. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2100637. [PMID: 34288601 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202100637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The increasing exploitation of graphene-based materials (GBMs) is driven by their unique properties and structures, which ignite the imagination of scientists and engineers. At the same time, the very properties that make them so useful for applications lead to growing concerns regarding their potential impacts on human health and the environment. Since GBMs are inert to reaction, various attempts of surface functionalization are made to make them reactive. Herein, surface functionalization of GBMs, including those intentionally designed for specific applications, as well as those unintentionally acquired (e.g., protein corona formation) from the environment and biota, are reviewed through the lenses of nanotoxicity and design of safe materials (safe-by-design). Uptake and toxicity of functionalized GBMs and the underlying mechanisms are discussed and linked with the surface functionalization. Computational tools that can predict the interaction of GBMs behavior with their toxicity are discussed. A concise framing of current knowledge and key features of GBMs to be controlled for safe and sustainable applications are provided for the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiling Guo
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Swaroop Chakraborty
- Department of Biological Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Fazel Abdolahpur Monikh
- Department of Environmental & Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, Joensuu, FI-80101, Finland
| | - Dimitra-Danai Varsou
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, 15780, Greece
| | - Andrew J Chetwynd
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Antreas Afantitis
- Department of ChemoInformatics, NovaMechanics Ltd., Nicosia, 1046, Cyprus
| | - Iseult Lynch
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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