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Wang Z, Tan C, Peng M, Yu Y, Zhong F, Wang P, He T, Wang Y, Zhang Z, Xie R, Wang F, He S, Zhou P, Hu W. Giant infrared bulk photovoltaic effect in tellurene for broad-spectrum neuromodulation. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2024; 13:277. [PMID: 39327457 PMCID: PMC11427709 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-024-01640-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Given the surpassing of the Shockley-Quiesser efficiency limit in conventional p-n junction photovoltaic effect, bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE) has garnered significant research interest. However, the BPVE primarily focuses on a narrow wavelength range, limiting its potential applications. Here we report a giant infrared bulk photovoltaic effect in tellurene (Te) for broad-spectrum neuromodulation. The generated photocurrent in uniformly illuminated Te excludes other photoelectric effects and is attributed to the BPVE. The bulk photovoltaic wavelength in Te spans a wide range from the ultraviolet (390 nm) to the mid-infrared (3.8 µm). Moreover, the photocurrent density of 70.4 A cm-2 under infrared light simulation outperforms that in previous ultraviolet and visible semiconductors as well as infrared semimetals. Te attached to the dendrites or somata of the cortical neurons successfully elicit action potentials under broad-spectrum light irradiation. This work lays the foundation for the further development of infrared BPVE in narrow bandgap materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infrared Physics, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of ASIC and System, Department of Microelectronics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunhua Tan
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Infrared Physics, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiye Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Infrared Physics, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Infrared Physics, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infrared Physics, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ting He
- State Key Laboratory of Infrared Physics, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of ASIC and System, Department of Microelectronics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenhan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of ASIC and System, Department of Microelectronics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Runzhang Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Infrared Physics, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infrared Physics, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuijin He
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai, China.
| | - Peng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of ASIC and System, Department of Microelectronics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Weida Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Infrared Physics, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Wang Y, Hartung JE, Goad A, Preisegger MA, Chacon B, Gold MS, Gogotsi Y, Cohen-Karni T. Photothermal Excitation of Neurons Using MXene: Cellular Stress and Phototoxicity Evaluation. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302330. [PMID: 37755313 PMCID: PMC10963341 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the communication of individual neurons necessitates precise control of neural activity. Photothermal modulation is a remote and non-genetic technique to control neural activity with high spatiotemporal resolution. The local heat release by photothermally active nanomaterial will change the membrane properties of the interfaced neurons during light illumination. Recently, it is demonstrated that the two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXene is an outstanding candidate to photothermally excite neurons with low incident energy. However, the safety of using Ti3C2Tx for neural modulation is unknown. Here, the biosafety of Ti3C2Tx-based photothermal modulation is thoroughly investigated, including assessments of plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial stress, and oxidative stress. It is demonstrated that culturing neurons on 25 µg cm-2 Ti3C2Tx films and illuminating them with laser pulses (635 nm) with different incident energies (2-10 µJ per pulse) and different pulse frequencies (1 pulse, 1 Hz, and 10 Hz) neither damage the cell membrane, induce cellular stress, nor generate oxidative stress. The threshold energy to cause damage (i.e., 14 µJ per pulse) exceeded the incident energy for neural excitation (<10 µJ per pulse). This multi-assay safety evaluation provides crucial insights for guiding the establishment of light conditions and protocols in the clinical translation of photothermal modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqiao Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213
| | - Jane E. Hartung
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260
| | - Adam Goad
- A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
| | | | - Benjamin Chacon
- A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
| | - Michael S. Gold
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260
| | - Yury Gogotsi
- A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
| | - Tzahi Cohen-Karni
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213
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3
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Hanein Y, Goding J. Guest Editorial: Implantable bioelectronics. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:020401. [PMID: 38812757 PMCID: PMC11136517 DOI: 10.1063/5.0209537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The realm of implantable bioelectronics represents a frontier in medical science, merging technology, biology, and medicine to innovate treatments that enhance, restore, or monitor physiological functions. This field has yielded devices like cochlear implants, cardiac pacemakers, deep brain stimulators, and vagus nerve stimulators, each designed to address a specific health condition, ranging from sensorineural hearing loss to chronic pain, neurological disorders, and heart rhythm irregularities. Such devices underscore the potential of bioelectronics to significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Recent technological breakthroughs in materials science, nanotechnology, and microfabrication have enabled the development of more sophisticated, smaller, and biocompatible bioelectronic devices. However, the field also encounters challenges, particularly in extending the capabilities of devices such as retinal prostheses, which aim to restore vision but currently offer limited visual acuity. Research in implantable bioelectronics is highly timely, driven by an aging global population with a growing prevalence of chronic diseases that could benefit from these technologies. The convergence of societal health needs, advancing technological capabilities, and a supportive ecosystem for innovation marks this era as pivotal for bioelectronic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Hanein
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Josef Goding
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
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4
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Rahmani A, Eom K. Enhanced organic photovoltaic-based retinal prosthesis using a cathode-modified structure with plasmonic silver nanoparticles: a computational study. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1385567. [PMID: 38873618 PMCID: PMC11169897 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1385567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Organic interfaces have recently emerged as a breakthrough trend in biomedical applications, demonstrating exceptional performance in stimulating retinal neuronal cells owing to their high flexibility and compatibility with tissues. However, the primary challenge associated with organic photovoltaics is their low efficiency compared to that of their inorganic counterparts. Among different approaches, embedding plasmonic metal nanoparticles (NPs) in active or buffer layers can efficiently improve photovoltaic cell performance. Methods A cathode decorated with silver nanoparticles is introduced to increase the absorption Phenomenon and improve the interface performance as a computational study. In addition to embedding spherical silver nanoparticles in the active layer (A-AgNPs), a monolayer array of spherical AgNPs in the cathode electrode (K-AgNPs) is incorporated. In this configuration, the large K-AgNPs play dual roles: acting as cathode electrode and serving as plasmonic centers to increase light trapping and absorption. The bulk heterojunction PCPDTBT:PCBM is chosen as the active layer due to its favorable electronic properties. Results Our computational analysis demonstrates a notable 10% enhancement in the photovoltaic cell current density for the developed structure with K-AgNPs in contrast to without them. Additionally, the simulation results reveal that the modeled device achieves a two-fold efficiency of the bare photovoltaic cell (without A-AgNPs and K-AgNPs), which is particularly evident at a low intensity of 0.26 mW/mm2. Discussion This study aims to propose an efficient epiretinal prosthesis structure using a different strategy for plasmonic effects rather than conventional methods, such as incorporating NPs into the active or buffer layer. This structure can prevent the harmful side effects of using large metal NPs (r > 10 nm) in the active layer during exciton quenching, charge trapping, and recombination, which deteriorate the power conversion efficiency (PCE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rahmani
- Department of Electronics Engineering, College of Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Electronics, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Yadegar-e-Imam Khomeini (RAH) Shahre Rey Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kyungsik Eom
- Department of Electronics Engineering, College of Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
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Coghi P, Coluccini C. Literature Review on Conjugated Polymers as Light-Sensitive Materials for Photovoltaic and Light-Emitting Devices in Photonic Biomaterial Applications. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1407. [PMID: 38794599 PMCID: PMC11125275 DOI: 10.3390/polym16101407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to their extended p-orbital delocalization, conjugated polymers absorb light in the range of visible-NIR frequencies. We attempt to exploit this property to create materials that compete with inorganic semiconductors in photovoltaic and light-emitting materials. Beyond competing for applications in photonic devices, organic conjugated compounds, polymers, and small molecules have also been extended to biomedical applications like phototherapy and biodetection. Recent research on conjugated polymers has focused on bioapplications based on the absorbed light energy conversions in electric impulses, chemical energy, heat, and light emission. In this review, we describe the working principles of those photonic devices that have been applied and researched in the field of biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Coghi
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery from Natural Resources & Industrialization, School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China;
| | - Carmine Coluccini
- Institute of New Drug Development, College of Medicine, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
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6
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Zhang P, Zhu B, Du P, Travas-Sejdic J. Electrochemical and Electrical Biosensors for Wearable and Implantable Electronics Based on Conducting Polymers and Carbon-Based Materials. Chem Rev 2024; 124:722-767. [PMID: 38157565 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Bioelectronic devices are designed to translate biological information into electrical signals and vice versa, thereby bridging the gap between the living biological world and electronic systems. Among different types of bioelectronics devices, wearable and implantable biosensors are particularly important as they offer access to the physiological and biochemical activities of tissues and organs, which is significant in diagnosing and researching various medical conditions. Organic conducting and semiconducting materials, including conducting polymers (CPs) and graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), are some of the most promising candidates for wearable and implantable biosensors. Their unique electrical, electrochemical, and mechanical properties bring new possibilities to bioelectronics that could not be realized by utilizing metals- or silicon-based analogues. The use of organic- and carbon-based conductors in the development of wearable and implantable biosensors has emerged as a rapidly growing research field, with remarkable progress being made in recent years. The use of such materials addresses the issue of mismatched properties between biological tissues and electronic devices, as well as the improvement in the accuracy and fidelity of the transferred information. In this review, we highlight the most recent advances in this field and provide insights into organic and carbon-based (semi)conducting materials' properties and relate these to their applications in wearable/implantable biosensors. We also provide a perspective on the promising potential and exciting future developments of wearable/implantable biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peikai Zhang
- Centre for Innovative Materials for Health, School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Bicheng Zhu
- Centre for Innovative Materials for Health, School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Peng Du
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Jadranka Travas-Sejdic
- Centre for Innovative Materials for Health, School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
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7
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Sha B, Du Z. Neural repair and regeneration interfaces: a comprehensive review. Biomed Mater 2024; 19:022002. [PMID: 38232383 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/ad1f78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Neural interfaces play a pivotal role in neuromodulation, as they enable precise intervention into aberrant neural activity and facilitate recovery from neural injuries and resultant functional impairments by modulating local immune responses and neural circuits. This review outlines the development and applications of these interfaces and highlights the advantages of employing neural interfaces for neural stimulation and repair, including accurate targeting of specific neural populations, real-time monitoring and control of neural activity, reduced invasiveness, and personalized treatment strategies. Ongoing research aims to enhance the biocompatibility, stability, and functionality of these interfaces, ultimately augmenting their therapeutic potential for various neurological disorders. The review focuses on electrophysiological and optophysiology neural interfaces, discussing functionalization and power supply approaches. By summarizing the techniques, materials, and methods employed in this field, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential applications and future directions for neural repair and regeneration devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoning Sha
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Zhanhong Du
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
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8
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Chen J, Liu Y, Chen F, Guo M, Zhou J, Fu P, Zhang X, Wang X, Wang H, Hua W, Chen J, Hu J, Mao Y, Jin D, Bu W. Non-Faradaic optoelectrodes for safe electrical neuromodulation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:405. [PMID: 38195782 PMCID: PMC10776784 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44635-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanoscale optoelectrodes hold the potential to stimulate optically individual neurons and intracellular organelles, a challenge that demands both a high-density of photoelectron storage and significant charge injection. Here, we report that zinc porphyrin, commonly used in dye-sensitized solar cells, can be self-assembled into nanorods and then coated by TiO2. The J-aggregated zinc porphyrin array enables long-range exciton diffusion and allows for fast electron transfer into TiO2. The formation of TiO2(e-) attracts positive charges around the neuron membrane, contributing to the induction of action potentials. Far-field cranial irradiation of the motor cortex using a 670 nm laser or an 850 nm femtosecond laser can modulate local neuronal firing and trigger motor responses in the hind limb of mice. The pulsed photoelectrical stimulation of neurons in the subthalamic nucleus alleviates parkinsonian symptoms in mice, improving abnormal stepping and enhancing the activity of dopaminergic neurons. Our results suggest injectable nanoscopic optoelectrodes for optical neuromodulation with high efficiency and negligible side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Chen
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200041, China
| | - Feixiang Chen
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Mengnan Guo
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jiajia Zhou
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices (IBMD), Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2007, Australia
| | - Pengfei Fu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200041, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200041, China
| | - Xueli Wang
- Sate Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - He Wang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wei Hua
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200041, China
| | - Jinquan Chen
- Sate Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Jin Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200041, China
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200041, China.
| | - Dayong Jin
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices (IBMD), Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2007, Australia.
- Eastern Institute for Advanced Study, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315200, P.R. China.
| | - Wenbo Bu
- Department of Materials Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200041, China.
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9
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Savva A, Hama A, Herrera‐López G, Schmidt T, Migliaccio L, Steiner N, Kawan M, Fiumelli H, Magistretti PJ, McCulloch I, Baran D, Gasparini N, Schindl R, Głowacki ED, Inal S. Photo-Chemical Stimulation of Neurons with Organic Semiconductors. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2300473. [PMID: 37661572 PMCID: PMC10625067 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202300473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in light-responsive materials enabled the development of devices that can wirelessly activate tissue with light. Here it is shown that solution-processed organic heterojunctions can stimulate the activity of primary neurons at low intensities of light via photochemical reactions. The p-type semiconducting polymer PDCBT and the n-type semiconducting small molecule ITIC (a non-fullerene acceptor) are coated on glass supports, forming a p-n junction with high photosensitivity. Patch clamp measurements show that low-intensity white light is converted into a cue that triggers action potentials in primary cortical neurons. The study shows that neat organic semiconducting p-n bilayers can exchange photogenerated charges with oxygen and other chemical compounds in cell culture conditions. Through several controlled experimental conditions, photo-capacitive, photo-thermal, and direct hydrogen peroxide effects on neural function are excluded, with photochemical delivery being the possible mechanism. The profound advantages of low-intensity photo-chemical intervention with neuron electrophysiology pave the way for developing wireless light-based therapy based on emerging organic semiconductors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achilleas Savva
- Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Thuwal23955‐6900Saudi Arabia
- Department of Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB30ASUK
| | - Adel Hama
- Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Thuwal23955‐6900Saudi Arabia
| | - Gabriel Herrera‐López
- Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Thuwal23955‐6900Saudi Arabia
| | - Tony Schmidt
- Gottfried Schatz Research CenterChair of BiophysicsMedical University of GrazNeue Stiftingtalstraße 6Graz8010Austria
| | - Ludovico Migliaccio
- Bioelectronics Materials and Devices LaboratoryCentral European Institute of TechnologyBrno University of TechnologyPurkyňova 123Brno61200Czech Republic
| | - Nadia Steiner
- Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Thuwal23955‐6900Saudi Arabia
| | - Malak Kawan
- Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Thuwal23955‐6900Saudi Arabia
| | - Hubert Fiumelli
- Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Thuwal23955‐6900Saudi Arabia
| | - Pierre J. Magistretti
- Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Thuwal23955‐6900Saudi Arabia
| | - Iain McCulloch
- Physical Science and Engineering (PSE)KAUST Solar Center (KSC)King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Thuwal23955‐6900Saudi Arabia
| | - Derya Baran
- Physical Science and Engineering (PSE)KAUST Solar Center (KSC)King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Thuwal23955‐6900Saudi Arabia
| | - Nicola Gasparini
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable ElectronicsImperial College LondonLondonW12 0BZUK
| | - Rainer Schindl
- Gottfried Schatz Research CenterChair of BiophysicsMedical University of GrazNeue Stiftingtalstraße 6Graz8010Austria
| | - Eric D. Głowacki
- Bioelectronics Materials and Devices LaboratoryCentral European Institute of TechnologyBrno University of TechnologyPurkyňova 123Brno61200Czech Republic
| | - Sahika Inal
- Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)Thuwal23955‐6900Saudi Arabia
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10
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Cui H, Zhao S, Hong G. Wireless deep-brain neuromodulation using photovoltaics in the second near-infrared spectrum. DEVICE 2023; 1:100113. [PMID: 37990694 PMCID: PMC10659575 DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2023.100113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Conventional electrical neuromodulation techniques are constrained by the need for invasive implants in neural tissues, whereas methods using optogenetic are subjected to genetic alterations and hampered by the poor tissue penetration of visible light. Photovoltaic neuromodulation using light from the second near-infrared (NIR-II) spectrum, which minimizes scattering and enhances tissue penetration, shows promise as an alternative to existing neuromodulation technologies. NIR-II light has been used in deep-tissue imaging and in deep-brain photothermal neuromodulation via nanotransducers. This Perspective will provide an overview for the underpinning mechanisms of photovoltaic neuromodulation and identify avenues for future research in materials science and bioengineering that can further advance NIR-II photovoltaic neuromodulation methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Cui
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Su Zhao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Guosong Hong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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11
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Moschetta M, Vurro V, Sesti V, Bertarelli C, Paternò GM, Lanzani G. Modulation of Mechanosensitive Potassium Channels by a Membrane-targeted Nongenetic Photoswitch. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:8869-8878. [PMID: 37815392 PMCID: PMC10591468 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c04551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Mechanosensitive ion channels are present in the plasma membranes of all cells. They play a fundamental role in converting mechanical stimuli into biochemical signals and are involved in several physiological processes such as touch sensation, hearing, and blood pressure regulation. This protein family includes TWIK-related arachidonic acid-stimulated K+ channel (TRAAK), which is specifically implicated in the maintenance of the resting membrane potential and in the regulation of a variety of important neurobiological functions. Dysregulation of these channels has been linked to various diseases, including blindness, epilepsy, cardiac arrhythmia, and chronic pain. For these reasons, mechanosensitive channels are targets for the treatment of several diseases. Here, we propose a new approach to investigate TRAAK ion channel modulation that is based on nongenetic photostimulation. We employed an amphiphilic azobenzene, named Ziapin2. In the dark, Ziapin2 preferentially dwells in the plasma membrane, causing a thinning of the membrane. Upon light irradiation, an isomerization occurs, breaking the dimers and inducing membrane relaxation. To study the effect of Ziapin2 on the mechanosensitive channels, we expressed human TRAAK (hTRAAK) channels in HEK293T cells. We observed that Ziapin2 insertion in the membrane is able per se to recruit hTRAAK, permitting the exit of K+ ions outside the cells with a consequent hyperpolarization of the cell membrane. During light stimulation, membrane relaxation induces hTRAAK closure, generating a consistent and compensatory depolarization. These results add information to the Ziapin2 mechanism and suggest that membrane deformation can be a tool for the nonselective modulation of mechanosensitive channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Moschetta
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Rubattino, 81, 20134 Milano, Italy
| | - Vito Vurro
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Rubattino, 81, 20134 Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Sesti
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Rubattino, 81, 20134 Milano, Italy
- Department
of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Bertarelli
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Rubattino, 81, 20134 Milano, Italy
- Department
of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maria Paternò
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Rubattino, 81, 20134 Milano, Italy
- Department
of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Lanzani
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Rubattino, 81, 20134 Milano, Italy
- Department
of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
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12
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Li J, Wu C, Zeng M, Zhang Y, Wei D, Sun J, Fan H. Functional material-mediated wireless physical stimulation for neuro-modulation and regeneration. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:9056-9083. [PMID: 37649427 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01354e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Nerve injuries and neurological diseases remain intractable clinical challenges. Despite the advantages of stem cell therapy in treating neurological disorders, uncontrollable cell fates and loss of cell function in vivo are still challenging. Recently, increasing attention has been given to the roles of external physical signals, such as electricity and ultrasound, in regulating stem cell fate as well as activating or inhibiting neuronal activity, which provides new insights for the treatment of neurological disorders. However, direct physical stimulations in vivo are short in accuracy and safety. Functional materials that can absorb energy from a specific physical field exerted in a wireless way and then release another localized physical signal hold great advantages in mediating noninvasive or minimally invasive accurate indirect physical stimulations to promote the therapeutic effect on neurological disorders. In this review, the mechanism by which various physical signals regulate stem cell fate and neuronal activity is summarized. Based on these concepts, the approaches of using functional materials to mediate indirect wireless physical stimulation for neuro-modulation and regeneration are systematically reviewed. We expect that this review will contribute to developing wireless platforms for neural stimulation as an assistance for the treatment of neurological diseases and injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialu Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
| | - Chengheng Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
- Institute of Regulatory Science for Medical Devices, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingze Zeng
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yusheng Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
| | - Dan Wei
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
| | - Jing Sun
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
| | - Hongsong Fan
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
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13
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Rahmani A, Eom K. Computational analysis of efficient organic solar cell-based retinal prosthesis using plasmonic gold nanoparticles. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1205048. [PMID: 37576567 PMCID: PMC10413124 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1205048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Photovoltaic restoration of vision, especially in conjunction with the use of silicon photodiodes, has gained attention for use in patients affected by blindness due to retinal layer disease. Although the use of silicon photodiodes offers miniaturization of the implant unit and increase in the stimulation channel, the implant unit may suffer from the fracture of these brittle photodiodes when mechanical pressure exerted. Methods We present an organic solar cell (OSC)-based retinal prosthesis in which spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are embedded into the active layer to increase the efficiency of the bioelectric interface. Results We demonstrate computationally that a modeled OSC incorporating spherical AuNPs has three times higher efficiency than that of a bare OSC presented before for retinal prostheses. Our AuNP based OSC was able to activate the neuron at the minimum light intensity of 0.26 mW/mm2, which is lower than that of the bare OSC. Discussion The use of AuNPs in OSC allows device miniaturization or lowering of the light exposure required for neural activation using a photovoltaic retinal prosthesis, which can generally be applied in a broad range of neural prostheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rahmani
- Department of Electronics Engineering, College of Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Electronics, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Yadegar-e-Imam Khomeini (RAH) Shahre-e-Rey Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kyungsik Eom
- Department of Electronics Engineering, College of Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
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14
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Moccia F, Fiorio Pla A, Lim D, Lodola F, Gerbino A. Intracellular Ca 2+ signalling: unexpected new roles for the usual suspect. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1210085. [PMID: 37576340 PMCID: PMC10413985 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1210085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytosolic Ca2+ signals are organized in complex spatial and temporal patterns that underlie their unique ability to regulate multiple cellular functions. Changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) are finely tuned by the concerted interaction of membrane receptors and ion channels that introduce Ca2+ into the cytosol, Ca2+-dependent sensors and effectors that translate the elevation in [Ca2+]i into a biological output, and Ca2+-clearing mechanisms that return the [Ca2+]i to pre-stimulation levels and prevent cytotoxic Ca2+ overload. The assortment of the Ca2+ handling machinery varies among different cell types to generate intracellular Ca2+ signals that are selectively tailored to subserve specific functions. The advent of novel high-speed, 2D and 3D time-lapse imaging techniques, single-wavelength and genetic Ca2+ indicators, as well as the development of novel genetic engineering tools to manipulate single cells and whole animals, has shed novel light on the regulation of cellular activity by the Ca2+ handling machinery. A symposium organized within the framework of the 72nd Annual Meeting of the Italian Society of Physiology, held in Bari on 14-16th September 2022, has recently addressed many of the unexpected mechanisms whereby intracellular Ca2+ signalling regulates cellular fate in healthy and disease states. Herein, we present a report of this symposium, in which the following emerging topics were discussed: 1) Regulation of water reabsorption in the kidney by lysosomal Ca2+ release through Transient Receptor Potential Mucolipin 1 (TRPML1); 2) Endoplasmic reticulum-to-mitochondria Ca2+ transfer in Alzheimer's disease-related astroglial dysfunction; 3) The non-canonical role of TRP Melastatin 8 (TRPM8) as a Rap1A inhibitor in the definition of some cancer hallmarks; and 4) Non-genetic optical stimulation of Ca2+ signals in the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Moccia
- Laboratory of General Physiology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Dmitry Lim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, Novara, Italy
| | - Francesco Lodola
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Gerbino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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15
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Jia H, Huang Z, Kaynak M, Sakar MS. Colloidal self-assembly of soft neural interfaces from injectable photovoltaic microdevices. RSC Adv 2023; 13:19888-19897. [PMID: 37404318 PMCID: PMC10316755 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra03591c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomimetic retinas with a wide field of view and high resolution are in demand for neuroprosthetics and robot vision. Conventional neural prostheses are manufactured outside the application area and implanted as a complete device using invasive surgery. Here, a minimally invasive strategy based on in situ self-assembly of photovoltaic microdevices (PVMs) is presented. The photoelectricity transduced by PVMs upon visible light illumination reaches the intensity levels that could effectively activate the retinal ganglion cell layers. The geometry and multilayered architecture of the PVMs along with the tunability of their physical properties such as size and stiffness allow several routes for initiating a self-assembly process. The spatial distribution and packing density of the PVMs within the assembled device are modulated through concentration, liquid discharge speed, and coordinated self-assembly steps. Subsequent injection of a photocurable and transparent polymer facilitates tissue integration and reinforces the cohesion of the device. Taken together, the presented methodology introduces three unique features: minimally invasive implantation, personalized visual field and acuity, and a device geometry adaptable to retina topography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Jia
- Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne CH-1015 Switzerland
| | - Zhangjun Huang
- Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne CH-1015 Switzerland
| | - Murat Kaynak
- Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne CH-1015 Switzerland
| | - Mahmut Selman Sakar
- Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne CH-1015 Switzerland
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16
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Karatum O, Han M, Erdogan ET, Karamursel S, Nizamoglu S. Physical mechanisms of emerging neuromodulation modalities. J Neural Eng 2023; 20:031001. [PMID: 37224804 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/acd870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
One of the ultimate goals of neurostimulation field is to design materials, devices and systems that can simultaneously achieve safe, effective and tether-free operation. For that, understanding the working mechanisms and potential applicability of neurostimulation techniques is important to develop noninvasive, enhanced, and multi-modal control of neural activity. Here, we review direct and transduction-based neurostimulation techniques by discussing their interaction mechanisms with neurons via electrical, mechanical, and thermal means. We show how each technique targets modulation of specific ion channels (e.g. voltage-gated, mechanosensitive, heat-sensitive) by exploiting fundamental wave properties (e.g. interference) or engineering nanomaterial-based systems for efficient energy transduction. Overall, our review provides a detailed mechanistic understanding of neurostimulation techniques together with their applications toin vitro, in vivo, and translational studies to guide the researchers toward developing more advanced systems in terms of noninvasiveness, spatiotemporal resolution, and clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onuralp Karatum
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Mertcan Han
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Tuna Erdogan
- Department of Physiology, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Sacit Karamursel
- Department of Physiology, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Sedat Nizamoglu
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
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17
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Vurro V, Moschetta M, Bondelli G, Sardar S, Magni A, Sesti V, Paternò GM, Bertarelli C, D’Andrea C, Lanzani G. Membrane Order Effect on the Photoresponse of an Organic Transducer. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:538. [PMID: 37233599 PMCID: PMC10220526 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13050538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Non-genetic photostimulation, which allows for control over cellular activity via the use of cell-targeting phototransducers, is widely used nowadays to study and modulate/restore biological functions. This approach relies on non-covalent interactions between the phototransducer and the cell membrane, thus implying that cell conditions and membrane status can dictate the effectiveness of the method. For instance, although immortalized cell lines are traditionally used in photostimulation experiments, it has been demonstrated that the number of passages they undergo is correlated to the worsening of cell conditions. In principle, this could impact cell responsivity against exogenous stressors, including photostimulation. However, these aspects have usually been neglected in previous experiments. In this work, we investigated whether cell passages could affect membrane properties (such as polarity and fluidity). We applied optical spectroscopy and electrophysiological measurements in two different biological models: (i) an epithelial immortalized cell line (HEK-293T cells) and (ii) liposomes. Different numbers of cell passages were compared to a different morphology in the liposome membrane. We demonstrated that cell membranes show a significant decrease in ordered domains upon increasing the passage number. Furthermore, we observed that cell responsivity against external stressors is markedly different between aged and non-aged cells. Firstly, we noted that the thermal-disordering effect that is usually observed in membranes is more evident in aged cells than in non-aged ones. We then set up a photostimulation experiment by using a membrane-targeted azobenzene as a phototransducer (Ziapin2). As an example of a functional consequence of such a condition, we showed that the rate of isomerization of an intramembrane molecular transducer is significantly impaired in aged cells. The reduction in the photoisomerization rate translates in cells with a sustained reduction of the Ziapin2-related hyperpolarization of the membrane potential and an overall increase in the molecule fluorescence. Overall, our results suggest that membrane stimulation strongly depends on membrane order, highlighting the importance of cell passage during the characterization of the stimulation tools. This study can shine light on the correlation between aging and the development of diseases driven by membrane degradation as well as on the different cell responsivities against external stressors, such as temperature and photostimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Vurro
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20134 Milan, Italy; (V.V.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (A.M.); (V.S.); (G.M.P.); (C.B.); (C.D.)
| | - Matteo Moschetta
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20134 Milan, Italy; (V.V.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (A.M.); (V.S.); (G.M.P.); (C.B.); (C.D.)
| | - Gaia Bondelli
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20134 Milan, Italy; (V.V.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (A.M.); (V.S.); (G.M.P.); (C.B.); (C.D.)
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Samim Sardar
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20134 Milan, Italy; (V.V.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (A.M.); (V.S.); (G.M.P.); (C.B.); (C.D.)
| | - Arianna Magni
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20134 Milan, Italy; (V.V.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (A.M.); (V.S.); (G.M.P.); (C.B.); (C.D.)
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Sesti
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20134 Milan, Italy; (V.V.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (A.M.); (V.S.); (G.M.P.); (C.B.); (C.D.)
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maria Paternò
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20134 Milan, Italy; (V.V.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (A.M.); (V.S.); (G.M.P.); (C.B.); (C.D.)
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Bertarelli
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20134 Milan, Italy; (V.V.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (A.M.); (V.S.); (G.M.P.); (C.B.); (C.D.)
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cosimo D’Andrea
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20134 Milan, Italy; (V.V.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (A.M.); (V.S.); (G.M.P.); (C.B.); (C.D.)
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Lanzani
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20134 Milan, Italy; (V.V.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (A.M.); (V.S.); (G.M.P.); (C.B.); (C.D.)
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
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18
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Savchenko A, Kireev D, Yin RT, Efimov IR, Molokanova E. Graphene-based cardiac sensors and actuators. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1168667. [PMID: 37256116 PMCID: PMC10225741 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1168667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Graphene, a 2D carbon allotrope, is revolutionizing many biomedical applications due to its unique mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. When bioengineers realized that these properties could dramatically enhance the performance of cardiac sensors and actuators and may offer fundamentally novel technological capabilities, the field exploded with numerous studies developing new graphene-based systems and testing their limits. Here we will review the link between specific properties of graphene and mechanisms of action of cardiac sensors and actuators, analyze the performance of these systems from inaugural studies to the present, and offer future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dmitry Kireev
- Microelectronics Research Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Rose T. Yin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Igor R. Efimov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Elena Molokanova
- Nanotools Bioscience, La Jolla, CA, United States
- NeurANO Bioscience, La Jolla, CA,United States
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19
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Barsotti J, Perotto S, Candini A, Colombo E, Camargo FVA, Di Marco S, Zangoli M, Sardar S, Barker AJ, D'Andrea C, Cerullo G, Rozen S, Benfenati F, Di Maria F, Lanzani G. Core-Shell Architecture in Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Nanoparticles: Tuning of the Photophysical Properties for Enhanced Neuronal Photostimulation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:13472-13483. [PMID: 36857156 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c20640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This study shows that entirely thiophene-based core@shell nanoparticles, in which the shell is made of the oxidized form of the core polymer (P3HT@PTDOx NPs), result in a type II interface at the particle surface. This enables the development of advanced photon nanotransducers with unique chemical-physical and biofunctional properties due to the core@shell nanoarchitecture. We demonstrate that P3HT@PTDOx NPs present a different spatial localization of the excitation energy with respect to the nonoxidized NPs, showing a prevalence of surface states as a result of a different alignment of the HOMO/LUMO energy levels between the core and shell. This allows for the efficient photostimulation of retinal neurons. Indeed, thanks to the stronger and longer-lived charge separation, P3HT@PTDOx NPs, administered subretinally in degenerate retinas from the blind Royal College of Surgeons rats, are more effective in photostimulation of inner retinal neurons than the gold standard P3HT NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Barsotti
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Sara Perotto
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milano, Italy
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Colombo
- IIT Centro di Neuroscienze e Tecnologie Sinaptiche, Centro di Biotecnologie Avanzate, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Di Marco
- IIT Centro di Neuroscienze e Tecnologie Sinaptiche, Centro di Biotecnologie Avanzate, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Samim Sardar
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Alex J Barker
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Cosimo D'Andrea
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Giulio Cerullo
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Shlomo Rozen
- School of Chemistry, Tel-Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- IIT Centro di Neuroscienze e Tecnologie Sinaptiche, Centro di Biotecnologie Avanzate, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Guglielmo Lanzani
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milano, Italy
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
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20
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Moorthy VM, Rathnasami JD, Srivastava VM. Design Optimization and Characterization with Fabrication of Nanomaterials-Based Photo Diode Cell for Subretinal Implant Application. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:934. [PMID: 36903812 PMCID: PMC10005570 DOI: 10.3390/nano13050934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
An ultrathin nano photodiode array fabricated in a flexible substrate can be an ideal therapeutic replacement for degenerated photoreceptor cells damaged by Age-related Macula Degeneration (AMD) and Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), such as retinal infections. Silicon-based photodiode arrays have been attempted as artificial retinas. Considering the difficulties caused by hard silicon subretinal implants, researchers have diverted their attention towards organic photovoltaic cells-based subretinal implants. Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO) has been a favorite choice as an anode electrode. A mix of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyleste (P3HT: PCBM) has been utilized as an active layer in such nanomaterial-based subretinal implants. Though encouraging results have been obtained during the trial of such retinal implants, the need to replace ITO with a suitable transparent conductive electrode will be a suitable substitute. Further, conjugated polymers have been used as active layers in such photodiodes and have shown delamination in the retinal space over time despite their biocompatibility. This research attempted to fabricate and characterize Bulk Hetero Junction (BHJ) based Nano Photo Diode (NPD) utilizing Graphene-polyethylene terephthalate (G-PET)/semiconducting Single-Wall Carbon Nano Tubes (s-SWCNT): fullerene (C60) blend/aluminium (Al) structure to determine the issues in the development of subretinal prosthesis. An effective design approach adopted in this analysis has resulted in developing an NPD with an Efficiency of 10.1% in a non-ITO-driven NPD structure. Additionally, the results show that the efficiency can be further improved by increasing active layer thickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijai M. Moorthy
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Howard College, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
| | - Joseph D. Rathnasami
- Department of Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Annamalai University, Chidambaram 608 002, India
| | - Viranjay M. Srivastava
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Howard College, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
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21
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Wang Y, Garg R, Cohen-Karni D, Cohen-Karni T. Neural modulation with photothermally active nanomaterials. NATURE REVIEWS BIOENGINEERING 2023; 1:193-207. [PMID: 39221032 PMCID: PMC11364367 DOI: 10.1038/s44222-023-00022-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Modulating neural electrophysiology with high precision is essential for understanding neural communication and for the diagnosis and treatment of neural disorders. Photothermal modulation offers a remote and non-genetic method for neural modulation with high spatiotemporal resolution and specificity. This technique induces highly localized and transient temperature changes at the cell membrane interfaced with photothermally active nanomaterials. This rapid temperature change affects the electrical properties of the cell membrane or temperature-sensitive ion channels. In this Review, we discuss the fundamental material properties and illumination conditions that are necessary for nanomaterial-assisted photothermal neural excitation and inhibition. We examine how this versatile technique allows direct investigation of neural electrophysiology and signalling pathways in two-dimensional and three-dimensional cell cultures and tissues, and highlight the scientific and technological challenges in terms of cellular specificity, light delivery and biointerface stability on the road to clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqiao Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Yingqiao Wang, Raghav Garg
| | - Raghav Garg
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Yingqiao Wang, Raghav Garg
| | - Devora Cohen-Karni
- Preclinical education biochemistry, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill, Greensburg, PA, USA
| | - Tzahi Cohen-Karni
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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22
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Ahnood A, Chambers A, Gelmi A, Yong KT, Kavehei O. Semiconducting electrodes for neural interfacing: a review. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:1491-1518. [PMID: 36734845 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00830k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In the past 50 years, the advent of electronic technology to directly interface with neural tissue has transformed the fields of medicine and biology. Devices that restore or even replace impaired bodily functions, such as deep brain stimulators and cochlear implants, have ushered in a new treatment era for previously intractable conditions. Meanwhile, electrodes for recording and stimulating neural activity have allowed researchers to unravel the vast complexities of the human nervous system. Recent advances in semiconducting materials have allowed effective interfaces between electrodes and neuronal tissue through novel devices and structures. Often these are unattainable using conventional metallic electrodes. These have translated into advances in research and treatment. The development of semiconducting materials opens new avenues in neural interfacing. This review considers this emerging class of electrodes and how it can facilitate electrical, optical, and chemical sensing and modulation with high spatial and temporal precision. Semiconducting electrodes have advanced electrically based neural interfacing technologies owing to their unique electrochemical and photo-electrochemical attributes. Key operation modalities, namely sensing and stimulation in electrical, biochemical, and optical domains, are discussed, highlighting their contrast to metallic electrodes from the application and characterization perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arman Ahnood
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Andre Chambers
- School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Amy Gelmi
- School of Science, RMIT University, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Ken-Tye Yong
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.,The University of Sydney Nano Institute, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Omid Kavehei
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.,The University of Sydney Nano Institute, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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23
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Ciocca M, Marcozzi S, Mariani P, Lacconi V, Di Carlo A, Cinà L, Rosato-Siri MD, Zanon A, Cattelan G, Avancini E, Lugli P, Priya S, Camaioni A, Brown TM. A Polymer Bio–Photoelectrolytic Platform for Electrical Signal Measurement and for Light Modulation of Ion Fluxes and Proliferation in a Neuroblastoma Cell Line. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202200127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Ciocca
- Department of Electronic Engineering University of Rome Tor Vergata Via del Politecnico 1 00133 Rome Italy
- Faculty of Science and Technology Free University of Bozen-Bolzano Piazza Università 1 39100 Bolzano Italy
| | - Serena Marcozzi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention University of Rome Tor Vergata Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Paolo Mariani
- Department of Electronic Engineering University of Rome Tor Vergata Via del Politecnico 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Valentina Lacconi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention University of Rome Tor Vergata Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Aldo Di Carlo
- Istituto di Struttura della Materia CNR-ISM via Fosso del Cavaliere 100 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Lucio Cinà
- Cicci Research srl., Via Giordania 227 58100 Grosseto Italy
| | - Marcelo D. Rosato-Siri
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck 39100 Bolzano Italy
| | - Alessandra Zanon
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck 39100 Bolzano Italy
| | - Giada Cattelan
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac Research Affiliated Institute of the University of Lübeck 39100 Bolzano Italy
| | - Enrico Avancini
- Faculty of Science and Technology Free University of Bozen-Bolzano Piazza Università 1 39100 Bolzano Italy
| | - Paolo Lugli
- Faculty of Science and Technology Free University of Bozen-Bolzano Piazza Università 1 39100 Bolzano Italy
| | - Shashank Priya
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Pennsylvania State University University Park PA 16802 USA
| | - Antonella Camaioni
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention University of Rome Tor Vergata Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Thomas M. Brown
- Department of Electronic Engineering University of Rome Tor Vergata Via del Politecnico 1 00133 Rome Italy
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24
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Zhao D, Huang R, Gan JM, Shen QD. Photoactive Nanomaterials for Wireless Neural Biomimetics, Stimulation, and Regeneration. ACS NANO 2022; 16:19892-19912. [PMID: 36411035 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c08543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nanomaterials at the neural interface can provide the bridge between bioelectronic devices and native neural tissues and achieve bidirectional transmission of signals with our brain. Photoactive nanomaterials, such as inorganic and polymeric nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanowires, nanorods, nanosheets or related, are being explored to mimic, modulate, control, or even substitute the functions of neural cells or tissues. They show great promise in next generation technologies for the neural interface with excellent spatial and temporal accuracy. In this review, we highlight the discovery and understanding of these nanomaterials in precise control of an individual neuron, biomimetic retinal prosthetics for vision restoration, repair or regeneration of central or peripheral neural tissues, and wireless deep brain stimulation for treatment of movement or mental disorders. The most intriguing feature is that the photoactive materials fit within a minimally invasive and wireless strategy to trigger the flux of neurologically active molecules and thus influences the cell membrane potential or key signaling molecule related to gene expression. In particular, we focus on worthy pathways of photosignal transduction at the nanomaterial-neural interface and the behavior of the biological system. Finally, we describe the challenges on how to design photoactive nanomaterials specific to neurological disorders. There are also some open issues such as long-term interface stability and signal transduction efficiency to further explore for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhao
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering and Key Laboratory of High-Performance Polymer Materials and Technology of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Institute of Brain Science and Disease, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266001, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering and Key Laboratory of High-Performance Polymer Materials and Technology of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jia-Min Gan
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering and Key Laboratory of High-Performance Polymer Materials and Technology of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Qun-Dong Shen
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering and Key Laboratory of High-Performance Polymer Materials and Technology of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing 210023, China
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25
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Maity A, Perotto S, Moschetta M, Hua H, Sardar S, Paternò GM, Tian J, Klein M, Adamo G, Lanzani G, Soci C. Resonant Enhancement of Polymer-Cell Optostimulation by a Plasmonic Metasurface. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:42674-42680. [PMID: 36467911 PMCID: PMC9713778 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Organic semiconductors have shown great potential as efficient bioelectronic materials. Specifically, photovoltaic polymers such as the workhorse poly(thiophene) derivatives, when stimulated with visible light, can depolarize neurons and generate action potentials, an effect that has been also employed for rescuing vision in blind rats. In this context, however, the coupling of such materials with optically resonant structures to enhance those photodriven biological effects is still in its infancy. Here, we employ the optical coupling between a nanostructured metasurface and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) to improve the bioelectronic effects occurring upon photostimulation at the abiotic-biotic interface. In particular, we designed a spectrally tuned aluminum metasurface that can resonate with P3HT, hence augmenting the effective field experienced by the polymer. In turn, this leads to an 8-fold increase in invoked inward current in cells. This enhanced activation strategy could be useful to increase the effectiveness of P3HT-based prosthetic implants for degenerative retinal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arijit Maity
- Centre
for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, TPI, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore
- Division
of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical
Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore
| | - Sara Perotto
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, via Pascoli 70/3, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Moschetta
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, via Pascoli 70/3, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Huang Hua
- Department
of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, 117456 Singapore
| | - Samim Sardar
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, via Pascoli 70/3, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maria Paternò
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, via Pascoli 70/3, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Department
of Physics, Politecnico di Milano and Center for Nano Science and
Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Jingyi Tian
- Centre
for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, TPI, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore
- Division
of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical
Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore
| | - Maciej Klein
- Centre
for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, TPI, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore
- Division
of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical
Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore
| | - Giorgio Adamo
- Centre
for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, TPI, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore
- Division
of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical
Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore
| | - Guglielmo Lanzani
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, via Pascoli 70/3, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Department
of Physics, Politecnico di Milano and Center for Nano Science and
Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cesare Soci
- Centre
for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, TPI, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore
- Division
of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical
Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore
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26
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Moorthy VM, Varatharajan P, Rathnasami JD, Srivastava VM. G-Optrode Bio-Interfaces for Non-Invasive Optical Cell Stimulation: Design and Evaluation. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:808. [PMID: 36290945 PMCID: PMC9599383 DOI: 10.3390/bios12100808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Biocompatibility and potential efficacy in biological applications rely on the bio-interactions of graphene nanoparticles with biological tissues. Analyzing and modulating cellular and device-level activity requires non-invasive electrical stimulation of cells. To address these needs, G-optrodes, bio-interfaces based on graphene, have been developed. These devices use light to stimulate cells without modifying their genetic code. Optoelectronic capabilities, in particular the capacity to transform light energy into electrical energy, will be maintained throughout the procedures of neural stimulation. G-optrodes have also been studied as thin films on a range of substrates, and they have been designed to function at a very small scale. This study examines the impact of G-optrode-based substrate designs on the optical stimulation of pheochromocytoma (PC-12). Graphene electrodes, known as G-optrodes, are responsible for converting light into electrical pulses with stimulating effects. G-optrode bio-interfaces provide a stimulus that is independent of wavelength range but is sensitive to changes in illuminance. The authors have performed a comprehensive investigation based on the correct effects of the medication in vitro, employing substrate-based G-optrode biointerfaces. In substrate-based systems, the authors have proven that graphene is biocompatible. PC-12 cells were cultured on graphene for 7 days. Based on the findings, 20-nm and 50-nm thick G-optrodes are being studied for possible use in biological and artificial retinal applications. The findings of this study highlight the significance of biocompatibility in the selection and use of G-optrodes for biomedical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijai M. Moorthy
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Howard College, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
| | | | - Joseph D. Rathnasami
- Department of Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, Annamalai University, Chidambaram 608 002, India
| | - Viranjay M. Srivastava
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Howard College, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
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27
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Kumar M, Kumar S, Velaga S, Mishra K, Singh A. Freezing of rotation of P3HT crystallites by PCBM molecules during thermal relaxation of the blend thin films. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.202200198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kumar
- Department of Physics Himachal Pradesh University Summer Hill Shimla 171005 India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Department of Physics Himachal Pradesh University Summer Hill Shimla 171005 India
| | - Srihari Velaga
- High Pressure and Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Mumbai 400085 India
| | - Kuldeep Mishra
- Department of Physics and Materials Science Jaypee University Anoopshahr Bulandshahr 203390 India
| | - Amarjeet Singh
- Department of Physics Himachal Pradesh University Summer Hill Shimla 171005 India
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28
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Cheng H, Huang Y, Qian J, Meng F, Fan Y. Organic photovoltaic device enhances the neural differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. MEDICINE IN NOVEL TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medntd.2022.100176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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29
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Schmidt T, Jakešová M, Đerek V, Kornmueller K, Tiapko O, Bischof H, Burgstaller S, Waldherr L, Nowakowska M, Baumgartner C, Üçal M, Leitinger G, Scheruebel S, Patz S, Malli R, Głowacki ED, Rienmüller T, Schindl R. Light Stimulation of Neurons on Organic Photocapacitors Induces Action Potentials with Millisecond Precision. ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES 2022; 7:2101159. [PMID: 37064760 PMCID: PMC10097427 DOI: 10.1002/admt.202101159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nongenetic optical control of neurons is a powerful technique to study and manipulate the function of the nervous system. This research has benchmarked the performance of organic electrolytic photocapacitor (OEPC) optoelectronic stimulators at the level of single mammalian cells: human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells with heterologously expressed voltage-gated K+ channels and hippocampal primary neurons. OEPCs act as extracellular stimulation electrodes driven by deep red light. The electrophysiological recordings show that millisecond light stimulation of OEPC shifts conductance-voltage plots of voltage-gated K+ channels by ≈30 mV. Models are described both for understanding the experimental findings at the level of K+ channel kinetics in HEK cells, as well as elucidating interpretation of membrane electrophysiology obtained during stimulation with an electrically floating extracellular photoelectrode. A time-dependent increase in voltage-gated channel conductivity in response to OEPC stimulation is demonstrated. These findings are then carried on to cultured primary hippocampal neurons. It is found that millisecond time-scale optical stimuli trigger repetitive action potentials in these neurons. The findings demonstrate that OEPC devices enable the manipulation of neuronal signaling activities with millisecond precision. OEPCs can therefore be integrated into novel in vitro electrophysiology protocols, and the findings can inspire in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Schmidt
- Gottfried Schatz Research CenterChair of BiophysicsMedical University of GrazNeue Stiftingtalstraße 6Graz8010Austria
- BioTechMed‐GrazGraz8010Austria
| | - Marie Jakešová
- Bioelectronics Materials and Devices LaboratoryCentral European Institute of TechnologyBrno University of TechnologyPurkyňova 123Brno61200Czech Republic
| | - Vedran Đerek
- Department of PhysicsFaculty of ScienceUniversity of ZagrebBijenička c. 32Zagreb10000Croatia
| | - Karin Kornmueller
- Gottfried Schatz Research CenterChair of BiophysicsMedical University of GrazNeue Stiftingtalstraße 6Graz8010Austria
- BioTechMed‐GrazGraz8010Austria
| | - Oleksandra Tiapko
- Gottfried Schatz Research CenterChair of BiophysicsMedical University of GrazNeue Stiftingtalstraße 6Graz8010Austria
| | - Helmut Bischof
- Gottfried Schatz Research CenterMolecular Biology and BiochemistryMedical University of GrazNeue Stiftingtalstraße 6/6Graz8010Austria
- Department of PharmacologyToxicology and Clinical PharmacyInstitute of PharmacyUniversity of TuebingenAuf der Morgenstelle 872076TuebingenGermany
| | - Sandra Burgstaller
- Gottfried Schatz Research CenterMolecular Biology and BiochemistryMedical University of GrazNeue Stiftingtalstraße 6/6Graz8010Austria
- Department of PharmacologyToxicology and Clinical PharmacyInstitute of PharmacyUniversity of TuebingenAuf der Morgenstelle 872076TuebingenGermany
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen72770ReutlingenGermany
| | - Linda Waldherr
- Gottfried Schatz Research CenterChair of BiophysicsMedical University of GrazNeue Stiftingtalstraße 6Graz8010Austria
- BioTechMed‐GrazGraz8010Austria
| | - Marta Nowakowska
- Research Unit of Experimental NeurotraumatologyDepartment of NeurosurgeryMedical University GrazAuenbruggerplatz 2.2Graz8036Austria
| | - Christian Baumgartner
- BioTechMed‐GrazGraz8010Austria
- Institute of Health Care Engineering with European Testing Center of Medical DevicesGraz University of TechnologyGraz8010Austria
| | - Muammer Üçal
- BioTechMed‐GrazGraz8010Austria
- Research Unit of Experimental NeurotraumatologyDepartment of NeurosurgeryMedical University GrazAuenbruggerplatz 2.2Graz8036Austria
| | - Gerd Leitinger
- BioTechMed‐GrazGraz8010Austria
- Gottfried Schatz Research CenterDivision of Cell BiologyHistology and EmbryologyMedical University of GrazNeue Stiftingtalstraße 6Graz8010Austria
| | - Susanne Scheruebel
- Gottfried Schatz Research CenterChair of BiophysicsMedical University of GrazNeue Stiftingtalstraße 6Graz8010Austria
| | - Silke Patz
- Research Unit of Experimental NeurotraumatologyDepartment of NeurosurgeryMedical University GrazAuenbruggerplatz 2.2Graz8036Austria
| | - Roland Malli
- BioTechMed‐GrazGraz8010Austria
- Gottfried Schatz Research CenterMolecular Biology and BiochemistryMedical University of GrazNeue Stiftingtalstraße 6/6Graz8010Austria
| | - Eric Daniel Głowacki
- Bioelectronics Materials and Devices LaboratoryCentral European Institute of TechnologyBrno University of TechnologyPurkyňova 123Brno61200Czech Republic
| | - Theresa Rienmüller
- BioTechMed‐GrazGraz8010Austria
- Institute of Health Care Engineering with European Testing Center of Medical DevicesGraz University of TechnologyGraz8010Austria
| | - Rainer Schindl
- Gottfried Schatz Research CenterChair of BiophysicsMedical University of GrazNeue Stiftingtalstraße 6Graz8010Austria
- BioTechMed‐GrazGraz8010Austria
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30
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Cetkovic A, Bellapianta A, Irimia-Vladu M, Hofinger J, Yumusak C, Corna A, Scharber MC, Zeck G, Sariciftci NS, Bolz M, Salti A. In Vitro Cytotoxicity of D18 and Y6 as Potential Organic Photovoltaic Materials for Retinal Prostheses. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8666. [PMID: 35955800 PMCID: PMC9369111 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Millions of people worldwide are diagnosed with retinal dystrophies such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. A retinal prosthesis using organic photovoltaic (OPV) semiconductors is a promising therapeutic device to restore vision to patients at the late onset of the disease. However, an appropriate cytotoxicity approach has to be employed on the OPV materials before using them as retinal implants. In this study, we followed ISO standards to assess the cytotoxicity of D18, Y6, PFN-Br and PDIN individually, and as mixtures of D18/Y6, D18/Y6/PFN-Br and D18/Y6/PDIN. These materials were proven for their high performance as organic solar cells. Human RPE cells were put in direct and indirect contact with these materials to analyze their cytotoxicity by the MTT assay, apoptosis by flow cytometry, and measurements of cell morphology and proliferation by immunofluorescence. We also assessed electrophysiological recordings on mouse retinal explants via microelectrode arrays (MEAs) coated with D18/Y6. In contrast to PFN-Br and PDIN, all in vitro experiments show no cytotoxicity of D18 and Y6 alone or as a D18/Y6 mixture. We conclude that D18/Y6 is safe to be subsequently investigated as a retinal prosthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cetkovic
- Center for Medical Research, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Alessandro Bellapianta
- Center for Medical Research, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Mihai Irimia-Vladu
- Linz Institute of Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Institute of Physical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Jakob Hofinger
- Linz Institute of Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Institute of Physical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Cigdem Yumusak
- Linz Institute of Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Institute of Physical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Andrea Corna
- Institute of Biomedical Electronics, Technische Universität (TU) Wien, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Clark Scharber
- Linz Institute of Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Institute of Physical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Günther Zeck
- Institute of Biomedical Electronics, Technische Universität (TU) Wien, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Niyazi Serdar Sariciftci
- Linz Institute of Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Institute of Physical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Matthias Bolz
- Center for Medical Research, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Ahmad Salti
- Center for Medical Research, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria
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31
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Dagar J, Brown TM. Biological/metal oxide composite transport layers cast from green solvents for boosting light harvesting response of organic photovoltaic cells indoors. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 33:405404. [PMID: 35700718 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac7883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Organic solar cells with biological/metal-oxide electron transport layers (ETLs), consisting of a ZnO compact layer covered by a thin DNA layer, both of which deposited with green solvents (water or water/alcohols mixtures) are presented for application under low intensity indoor lighting. Under white LED lamp (200, 400 lx), photovoltaic cells with P3HT:PC70BM polymer semiconductor blends delivered an average maximum power density (MPD) of 8.7μW cm-2, corresponding to a power conversion efficiency, PCE, of = 8.56% (PCE of best cell was 8.74%). The ZnO/DNA bilayer boosted efficiency by 68% and 13% in relative terms compared to cells made with DNA-only and ZnO-only ETLs at 400 lx. Photovoltaic cells with ZnO/DNA composite ETLs based on PTB7:PC70BM blends, that absorb a broader range of the indoor lighting spectrum, delivered MPDs of 16.2μW cm-2with an estimated average PCE of 14.3% (best cell efficiency of 15.8%) at 400 lx. The best efficiencies for cells fabricated on flexible plastic substrates were 11.9% at 400 lx. This is the first report in which polymer photovoltaics incorporating biological materials have shown to increment performance at these low light levels and work very efficiently under indoor artificial light illumination. The finding can be useful for the production of more bio-compatible photovoltaics as well as bio-sensing devices based on organic semiconductors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janardan Dagar
- CHOSE (Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy), Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via del Politecnico 1, I-00133 Rome, Italy
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, HySPRINT Innovation Lab, Kekuléstrasse 5, D-12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas M Brown
- CHOSE (Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy), Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via del Politecnico 1, I-00133 Rome, Italy
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32
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Francia S, Shmal D, Di Marco S, Chiaravalli G, Maya-Vetencourt JF, Mantero G, Michetti C, Cupini S, Manfredi G, DiFrancesco ML, Rocchi A, Perotto S, Attanasio M, Sacco R, Bisti S, Mete M, Pertile G, Lanzani G, Colombo E, Benfenati F. Light-induced charge generation in polymeric nanoparticles restores vision in advanced-stage retinitis pigmentosa rats. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3677. [PMID: 35760799 PMCID: PMC9237035 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31368-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal dystrophies such as Retinitis pigmentosa are among the most prevalent causes of inherited legal blindness, for which treatments are in demand. Retinal prostheses have been developed to stimulate the inner retinal network that, initially spared by degeneration, deteriorates in the late stages of the disease. We recently reported that conjugated polymer nanoparticles persistently rescue visual activities after a single subretinal injection in the Royal College of Surgeons rat model of Retinitis pigmentosa. Here we demonstrate that conjugated polymer nanoparticles can reinstate physiological signals at the cortical level and visually driven activities when microinjected in 10-months-old Royal College of Surgeons rats bearing fully light-insensitive retinas. The extent of visual restoration positively correlates with the nanoparticle density and hybrid contacts with second-order retinal neurons. The results establish the functional role of organic photovoltaic nanoparticles in restoring visual activities in fully degenerate retinas with intense inner retina rewiring, a stage of the disease in which patients are subjected to prosthetic interventions. Retinal dystrophies such as Retinitis pigmentosa are among the most prevalent causes of inherited incurable legal blindness. Here the authors demonstrate that conjugated polymer nanoparticles reinstate visual functions in aged rats with fully degenerated and rewired retinas.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Francia
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - D Shmal
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - S Di Marco
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - G Chiaravalli
- Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milano, Italy
| | - J F Maya-Vetencourt
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Mantero
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - C Michetti
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - S Cupini
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - G Manfredi
- Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milano, Italy.,Novavido s.r.l., Bologna, Italy
| | - M L DiFrancesco
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - A Rocchi
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - S Perotto
- Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milano, Italy
| | - M Attanasio
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Sacrocuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - R Sacco
- Department of Mathematics, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - S Bisti
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - M Mete
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Sacrocuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - G Pertile
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Sacrocuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - G Lanzani
- Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milano, Italy. .,Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - E Colombo
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - F Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy. .,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy.
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33
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Moccia F, Negri S, Faris P, Ronchi C, Lodola F. Optical excitation of organic semiconductors as a highly selective strategy to induce vascular regeneration and tissue repair. Vascul Pharmacol 2022; 144:106998. [PMID: 35589009 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2022.106998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic neovascularization represents a promising strategy to rescue the vascular network and restore organ function in cardiovascular disorders (CVDs), including acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and brain stroke. Endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs), which are mobilized in circulation upon an ischemic insult, are commonly regarded as the most suitable cellular tool to achieve therapeutic neovascularization. ECFCs can be genetically or pharmacologically manipulated to enhance their vasoreparative potential by boosting specific pro-angiogenic signalling pathways. However, optical stimulation represents the most reliable approach to control cellular activity because of its high selectivity and unprecedented spatio-temporal resolution. Herein, we discuss a novel strategy to drive ECFC angiogenic activity in ischemic tissues by combining geneless optical excitation with photosensitive organic semiconductors. We describe how photoexcitation of the conducting polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl), also known as P3HT, stimulates extracellular Ca2+ entry through Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels upon the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the cleft between the nanomaterial and the cell membrane. H2O2-induced TRPV1-dependent Ca2+ entry stimulates ECFC proliferation and tube formation, thereby providing the proof-of-concept that photoexcitation of organic semiconductors may offer a reliable strategy to stimulate ECFCs-dependent neovascularization in CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Moccia
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", Laboratory of General Physiology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Sharon Negri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", Laboratory of General Physiology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Pawan Faris
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", Laboratory of General Physiology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Carlotta Ronchi
- Center for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Lodola
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, Laboratory of Cardiac Cellular Physiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
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34
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Gößwein M, Kaiser W, Gagliardi A. Local Temporal Acceleration Scheme to Couple Transport and Reaction Dynamics in Kinetic Monte Carlo Models of Electrochemical Systems. J Chem Theory Comput 2022; 18:2749-2763. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.1c01010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Gößwein
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Karlstraße 45, 80333 Munich, Germany
| | - Waldemar Kaiser
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Karlstraße 45, 80333 Munich, Germany
- Computational Laboratory for Hybrid/Organic Photovoltaics (CLHYO), Istituto CNR di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche “Giulio Natta” (CNR-SCITEC), 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Alessio Gagliardi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Karlstraße 45, 80333 Munich, Germany
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35
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Han M, Yildiz E, Kaleli HN, Karaz S, Eren GO, Dogru‐Yuksel IB, Senses E, Şahin A, Nizamoglu S. Tissue-Like Optoelectronic Neural Interface Enabled by PEDOT:PSS Hydrogel for Cardiac and Neural Stimulation. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2102160. [PMID: 34969168 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202102160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Optoelectronic biointerfaces have made a significant impact on modern science and technology from understanding the mechanisms of the neurotransmission to the recovery of the vision for blinds. They are based on the cell interfaces made of organic or inorganic materials such as silicon, graphene, oxides, quantum dots, and π-conjugated polymers, which are dry and stiff unlike a cell/tissue environment. On the other side, wet and soft hydrogels have recently been started to attract significant attention for bioelectronics because of its high-level tissue-matching biomechanics and biocompatibility. However, it is challenging to obtain optimal opto-bioelectronic devices by using hydrogels requiring device, heterojunction, and hydrogel engineering. Here, an optoelectronic biointerface integrated with a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate), PEDOT:PSS, hydrogel that simultaneously achieves efficient, flexible, stable, biocompatible, and safe photostimulation of cells is demonstrated. Besides their interfacial tissue-like biomechanics, ≈34 kPa, and high-level biocompatibility, hydrogel-integration facilitates increase in charge injection amounts sevenfolds with an improved responsivity of 156 mA W-1 , stability under mechanical bending , and functional lifetime over three years. Finally, these devices enable stimulation of individual hippocampal neurons and photocontrol of beating frequency of cardiac myocytes via safe charge-balanced capacitive currents. Therefore, hydrogel-enabled optoelectronic biointerfaces hold great promise for next-generation wireless neural and cardiac implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mertcan Han
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Koç University Istanbul 34450 Turkey
| | - Erdost Yildiz
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine Koç University Istanbul 34450 Turkey
| | - Hümeyra Nur Kaleli
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine Koç University Istanbul 34450 Turkey
| | - Selcan Karaz
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Koç University Istanbul 34450 Turkey
| | - Guncem Ozgun Eren
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering Koç University Istanbul 34450 Turkey
| | | | - Erkan Senses
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Koç University Istanbul 34450 Turkey
| | - Afsun Şahin
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine Koç University Istanbul 34450 Turkey
- Department of Ophthalmology Medical School Koç University Istanbul 34450 Turkey
| | - Sedat Nizamoglu
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Koç University Istanbul 34450 Turkey
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering Koç University Istanbul 34450 Turkey
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36
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Bellapianta A, Cetkovic A, Bolz M, Salti A. Retinal Organoids and Retinal Prostheses: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2922. [PMID: 35328339 PMCID: PMC8953078 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the progress of modern medicine in the last decades, millions of people diagnosed with retinal dystrophies (RDs), such as retinitis pigmentosa, or age-related diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, are suffering from severe visual impairment or even legal blindness. On the one hand, the reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and the progress of three-dimensional (3D) retinal organoids (ROs) technology provide a great opportunity to study, understand, and even treat retinal diseases. On the other hand, research advances in the field of electronic retinal prosthesis using inorganic photovoltaic polymers and the emergence of organic semiconductors represent an encouraging therapeutical strategy to restore vision to patients at the late onset of the disease. This review will provide an overview of the latest advancement in both fields. We first describe the retina and the photoreceptors, briefly mention the most used RD animal models, then focus on the latest RO differentiation protocols, carry out an overview of the current technology on inorganic and organic retinal prostheses to restore vision, and finally summarize the potential utility and applications of ROs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ahmad Salti
- Center for Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria; (A.B.); (A.C.); (M.B.)
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37
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Berggren M, Głowacki ED, Simon DT, Stavrinidou E, Tybrandt K. In Vivo Organic Bioelectronics for Neuromodulation. Chem Rev 2022; 122:4826-4846. [PMID: 35050623 PMCID: PMC8874920 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The nervous system poses a grand challenge for integration with modern electronics and the subsequent advances in neurobiology, neuroprosthetics, and therapy which would become possible upon such integration. Due to its extreme complexity, multifaceted signaling pathways, and ∼1 kHz operating frequency, modern complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) based electronics appear to be the only technology platform at hand for such integration. However, conventional CMOS-based electronics rely exclusively on electronic signaling and therefore require an additional technology platform to translate electronic signals into the language of neurobiology. Organic electronics are just such a technology platform, capable of converting electronic addressing into a variety of signals matching the endogenous signaling of the nervous system while simultaneously possessing favorable material similarities with nervous tissue. In this review, we introduce a variety of organic material platforms and signaling modalities specifically designed for this role as "translator", focusing especially on recent implementation in in vivo neuromodulation. We hope that this review serves both as an informational resource and as an encouragement and challenge to the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Berggren
- Laboratory
of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, 601 74 Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Eric D. Głowacki
- Laboratory
of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, 601 74 Norrköping, Sweden
- Bioelectronics
Materials and Devices, Central European
Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 656/123, 612 00 Brno, Czech
Republic
| | - Daniel T. Simon
- Laboratory
of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, 601 74 Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Eleni Stavrinidou
- Laboratory
of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, 601 74 Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Klas Tybrandt
- Laboratory
of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, 601 74 Norrköping, Sweden
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38
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Yuan B, Aziz MRF, Li S, Wu J, Li D, Li RK. An electro-spun tri-component polymer biomaterial with optoelectronic properties for neuronal differentiation. Acta Biomater 2022; 139:82-90. [PMID: 34082104 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Optoelectronic biomaterials have recently emerged as a potential treatment option for neurodegenerative diseases, such as optic macular degeneration. Though initial works in the field have involved bulk heterojunctions mimicking solar panels with photovoltaics (PVs) and conductive polymers (CPs), recent developments have considered abandoning CPs in such systems. Here, we developed a simple antioxidant, biocompatible, and fibrous membrane heterojunction composed of photoactive polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), polycaprolactone (PCL) and polypyrrole (PPY), to facilitate neurogenesis of PC-12 cells when photo-stimulated in vitro. The photoactive prototype, referred to as PCL-P3HT/PPY, was fabricated via polymerization of pyrrole on electro-spun PCL-P3HT nanofibers to form a membrane. Four experimental groups, namely PCL alone, PCL/PPY, PCL-P3HT and PCL-P3HT/PPY, were tested. In the absence of the CP, PCL-P3HT demonstrated lower cell survival due to increased intracellular reactive oxygen/nitrogen species production. PCL-P3HT/PPY rescued these cells by virtue of scavenging radicals, where the CP, PPY, acted as an antioxidant. Apart from having lower impedance, the material also enhanced neurogenesis of PC-12 cells when photo-stimulated, compared to the traditional PCL-P3HT. Lastly, the in vitro system with PC-12 was used to demonstrate the practicality of the material for potential use as a cellular patch in optic and nerve regeneration. This work demonstrated the importance of maintaining PV-CP heterojunctions while simultaneously providing an optoelectrical platform for neural and optical tissue engineering. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Regeneration and repair of injured nervous systems have always been a major clinical challenge. Stem cell therapy is a promising approach for nerve regeneration, and opto-electrical stimulation, which converts light into an electrical signal, has been shown to efficiently regulate stem cell behaviors with enhanced neurogenesis. We developed a micro-fibrous membrane, composed of photoactive polymer, P3HT, scaffold material PCL and conductive polymer PPY. Our heterojunction system improved cell survival via PPY quenching PCL-P3HT-generated cell-damaging reactive oxygen species. PPY also conducted electrons produced from light-stimulated P3HT to promote neurogenesis. This photoactive microfiber biomaterial has great potential as a highly biocompatible and efficient platform to wirelessly promote neurogenesis and survival. Our approach thus showed possibilities with respect to optical tissue engineering.
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39
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Pitsalidis C, Pappa AM, Boys AJ, Fu Y, Moysidou CM, van Niekerk D, Saez J, Savva A, Iandolo D, Owens RM. Organic Bioelectronics for In Vitro Systems. Chem Rev 2021; 122:4700-4790. [PMID: 34910876 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bioelectronics have made strides in improving clinical diagnostics and precision medicine. The potential of bioelectronics for bidirectional interfacing with biology through continuous, label-free monitoring on one side and precise control of biological activity on the other has extended their application scope to in vitro systems. The advent of microfluidics and the considerable advances in reliability and complexity of in vitro models promise to eventually significantly reduce or replace animal studies, currently the gold standard in drug discovery and toxicology testing. Bioelectronics are anticipated to play a major role in this transition offering a much needed technology to push forward the drug discovery paradigm. Organic electronic materials, notably conjugated polymers, having demonstrated technological maturity in fields such as solar cells and light emitting diodes given their outstanding characteristics and versatility in processing, are the obvious route forward for bioelectronics due to their biomimetic nature, among other merits. This review highlights the advances in conjugated polymers for interfacing with biological tissue in vitro, aiming ultimately to develop next generation in vitro systems. We showcase in vitro interfacing across multiple length scales, involving biological models of varying complexity, from cell components to complex 3D cell cultures. The state of the art, the possibilities, and the challenges of conjugated polymers toward clinical translation of in vitro systems are also discussed throughout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Pitsalidis
- Department of Physics, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi 127788, UAE.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, U.K
| | - Anna-Maria Pappa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi 127788, UAE
| | - Alexander J Boys
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, U.K
| | - Ying Fu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, U.K.,Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1RD, U.K
| | - Chrysanthi-Maria Moysidou
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, U.K
| | - Douglas van Niekerk
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, U.K
| | - Janire Saez
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, U.K.,Microfluidics Cluster UPV/EHU, BIOMICs Microfluidics Group, Lascaray Research Center, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Miguel de Unamuno, 3, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, E-48011 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Achilleas Savva
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, U.K
| | - Donata Iandolo
- INSERM, U1059 Sainbiose, Université Jean Monnet, Mines Saint-Étienne, Université de Lyon, 42023 Saint-Étienne, France
| | - Róisín M Owens
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, U.K
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40
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Negri S, Faris P, Tullii G, Vismara M, Pellegata AF, Lodola F, Guidetti G, Rosti V, Antognazza MR, Moccia F. Conjugated polymers mediate intracellular Ca 2+ signals in circulating endothelial colony forming cells through the reactive oxygen species-dependent activation of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Cell Calcium 2021; 101:102502. [PMID: 34896699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2021.102502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) represent the most suitable cellular substrate to induce revascularization of ischemic tissues. Recently, optical excitation of the light-sensitive conjugated polymer, regioregular Poly (3-hexyl-thiophene), rr-P3HT, was found to stimulate ECFC proliferation and tube formation by activating the non-selective cation channel, Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Herein, we adopted a multidisciplinary approach, ranging from intracellular Ca2+ imaging to pharmacological manipulation and genetic suppression of TRPV1 expression, to investigate the effects of photoexcitation on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in circulating ECFCs plated on rr-P3HT thin films. Polymer-mediated optical excitation induced a long-lasting increase in [Ca2+]i that could display an oscillatory pattern at shorter light stimuli. Pharmacological and genetic manipulation revealed that the Ca2+ response to light was triggered by extracellular Ca2+ entry through TRPV1, whose activation required the production of reactive oxygen species at the interface between rr-P3HT and the cell membrane. Light-induced TRPV1-mediated Ca2+ entry was able to evoke intracellular Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum through inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, followed by store-operated Ca2+ entry on the plasma membrane. These data show that TRPV1 may serve as a decoder at the interface between rr-P3HT thin films and ECFCs to translate optical excitation in pro-angiogenic Ca2+ signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Negri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Pawan Faris
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Gabriele Tullii
- Center for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Mauro Vismara
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandro F Pellegata
- Center for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Lodola
- Center for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Gianni Guidetti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Vittorio Rosti
- Center for the Study of Myelofibrosis, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Advanced Diagnosis, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Antognazza
- Center for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Francesco Moccia
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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41
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Fang Y, Yang X, Lin Y, Shi J, Prominski A, Clayton C, Ostroff E, Tian B. Dissecting Biological and Synthetic Soft-Hard Interfaces for Tissue-Like Systems. Chem Rev 2021; 122:5233-5276. [PMID: 34677943 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Soft and hard materials at interfaces exhibit mismatched behaviors, such as mismatched chemical or biochemical reactivity, mechanical response, and environmental adaptability. Leveraging or mitigating these differences can yield interfacial processes difficult to achieve, or inapplicable, in pure soft or pure hard phases. Exploration of interfacial mismatches and their associated (bio)chemical, mechanical, or other physical processes may yield numerous opportunities in both fundamental studies and applications, in a manner similar to that of semiconductor heterojunctions and their contribution to solid-state physics and the semiconductor industry over the past few decades. In this review, we explore the fundamental chemical roles and principles involved in designing these interfaces, such as the (bio)chemical evolution of adaptive or buffer zones. We discuss the spectroscopic, microscopic, (bio)chemical, and computational tools required to uncover the chemical processes in these confined or hidden soft-hard interfaces. We propose a soft-hard interaction framework and use it to discuss soft-hard interfacial processes in multiple systems and across several spatiotemporal scales, focusing on tissue-like materials and devices. We end this review by proposing several new scientific and engineering approaches to leveraging the soft-hard interfacial processes involved in biointerfacing composites and exploring new applications for these composites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Fang
- The James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Yiliang Lin
- The James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States.,The Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Jiuyun Shi
- The James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States.,The Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Aleksander Prominski
- The James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States.,The Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Clementene Clayton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Ellie Ostroff
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Bozhi Tian
- The James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States.,The Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
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42
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Bondelli G, Sardar S, Chiaravalli G, Vurro V, Paternò GM, Lanzani G, D'Andrea C. Shedding Light on Thermally Induced Optocapacitance at the Organic Biointerface. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:10748-10758. [PMID: 34524830 PMCID: PMC8488932 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c06054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Photothermal
perturbation
of the cell membrane is typically achieved
using transducers that convert light into thermal energy, eventually
heating the cell membrane. In turn, this leads to the modulation of
the membrane electrical capacitance that is assigned to a geometrical
modification of the membrane structure. However, the nature of such
a change is not understood. In this work, we employ an all-optical
spectroscopic approach, based on the use of fluorescent probes, to
monitor the membrane polarity, viscosity, and order directly in living
cells under thermal excitation transduced by a photoexcited polymer
film. We report two major results. First, we show that rising temperature
does not just change the geometry of the membrane but indeed it affects
the membrane dielectric characteristics by water penetration. Second,
we find an additional effect, which is peculiar for the photoexcited
semiconducting polymer film, that contributes to the system perturbation
and that we tentatively assigned to the photoinduced polarization
of the polymer interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Bondelli
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.,Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Samim Sardar
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Greta Chiaravalli
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.,Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Vito Vurro
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maria Paternò
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Lanzani
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.,Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cosimo D'Andrea
- Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.,Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milan, Italy
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43
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Hou K, Yang C, Shi J, Kuang B, Tian B. Nano- and Microscale Optical and Electrical Biointerfaces and Their Relevance to Energy Research. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2100165. [PMID: 34142435 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202100165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Different research fields in energy sciences, such as photovoltaics for solar energy conversion, supercapacitors for energy storage, electrocatalysis for clean energy conversion technologies, and materials-bacterial hybrid for CO2 fixation have been under intense investigations over the past decade. In recent years, new platforms for biointerface designs have emerged from the energy conversion and storage principles. This paper reviews recent advances in nano- and microscale materials/devices for optical and electrical biointerfaces. First, a connection is drawn between biointerfaces and energy science, and how these two distinct research fields can be connected is summarized. Then, a brief overview of current available tools for biointerface studies is presented. Third, three representative biointerfaces are reviewed, including neural, cardiac, and bacterial biointerfaces, to show how to apply these tools and principles to biointerface design and research. Finally, two possible future research directions for nano- and microscale biointerfaces are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Hou
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Chuanwang Yang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Jiuyun Shi
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Boya Kuang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Bozhi Tian
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
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44
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Milos F, Tullii G, Gobbo F, Lodola F, Galeotti F, Verpelli C, Mayer D, Maybeck V, Offenhäusser A, Antognazza MR. High Aspect Ratio and Light-Sensitive Micropillars Based on a Semiconducting Polymer Optically Regulate Neuronal Growth. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:23438-23451. [PMID: 33983012 PMCID: PMC8161421 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c03537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Many nano- and microstructured devices capable of promoting neuronal growth and network formation have been previously investigated. In certain cases, topographical cues have been successfully complemented with external bias, by employing electrically conducting scaffolds. However, the use of optical stimulation with topographical cues was rarely addressed in this context, and the development of light-addressable platforms for modulating and guiding cellular growth and proliferation remains almost completely unexplored. Here, we develop high aspect ratio micropillars based on a prototype semiconducting polymer, regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT), as an optically active, three-dimensional platform for embryonic cortical neurons. P3HT micropillars provide a mechanically compliant environment and allow a close contact with neuronal cells. The combined action of nano/microtopography and visible light excitation leads to effective optical modulation of neuronal growth and orientation. Embryonic neurons cultured on polymer pillars show a clear polarization effect and, upon exposure to optical excitation, a significant increase in both neurite and axon length. The biocompatible, microstructured, and light-sensitive platform developed here opens up the opportunity to optically regulate neuronal growth in a wireless, repeatable, and spatio-temporally controlled manner without genetic modification. This approach may be extended to other cell models, thus uncovering interesting applications of photonic devices in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frano Milos
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing IBI-3, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- RWTH
University Aachen, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Tullii
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Federico Gobbo
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milano, Italy
- Physics
Department, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. Da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Lodola
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Galeotti
- Istituto
di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche G. Natta (SCITEC), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Verpelli
- Istituto
di Neuroscienze, Consiglio Nazionale delle
Ricerche, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Dirk Mayer
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing IBI-3, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Vanessa Maybeck
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing IBI-3, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Andreas Offenhäusser
- Institute
of Biological Information Processing IBI-3, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- RWTH
University Aachen, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Maria Rosa Antognazza
- Center
for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milano, Italy
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45
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Li X, Xiong H, Rommelfanger N, Xu X, Youn J, Slesinger PA, Hong G, Qin Z. Nanotransducers for Wireless Neuromodulation. MATTER 2021; 4:1484-1510. [PMID: 33997768 PMCID: PMC8117115 DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2021.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the signal transmission and processing within the central nervous system (CNS) is a grand challenge in neuroscience. The past decade has witnessed significant advances in the development of new tools to address this challenge. Development of these new tools draws diverse expertise from genetics, materials science, electrical engineering, photonics and other disciplines. Among these tools, nanomaterials have emerged as a unique class of neural interfaces due to their small size, remote coupling and conversion of different energy modalities, various delivery methods, and mitigated chronic immune responses. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in nanotransducers to modulate and interface with the neural system without physical wires. Nanotransducers work collectively to modulate brain activity through optogenetic, mechanical, thermal, electrical and chemical modalities. We will compare important parameters among these techniques including the invasiveness, spatiotemporal precision, cell-type specificity, brain penetration, and translation to large animals and humans. Important areas for future research include a better understanding of the nanomaterials-brain interface, integration of sensing capability for bidirectional closed-loop neuromodulation, and genetically engineered functional materials for cell-type specific neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuying Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Hejian Xiong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Nicholas Rommelfanger
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Xueqi Xu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Jonghae Youn
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Paul A. Slesinger
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY,10029, USA
| | - Guosong Hong
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Zhenpeng Qin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
- Department of Surgery, The University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75080, USA
- The Center for Advanced Pain Studies, The University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75080, USA
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46
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Giving names to the actors of synaptic transmission: The long journey from synaptic vesicles to neural plasticity. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 90:19-37. [PMID: 33706933 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2020.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
More than a scientific paper or a review article, this is a remembrance of a unique time of science and life that the authors spent in Paul Greengard's laboratory at the Rockefeller University in New York in the 1980s and 1990s, forming the so-called synaptic vesicle group. It was a time in which the molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission and the nature of the organelles in charge of storing and releasing neurotransmitter were just beginning to be understood. It was an exciting time in which the protein composition of synaptic vesicles started to be identified. It turned out that the interactions of synaptic vesicle proteins with the cytoskeleton and the presynaptic membrane and their modulation by protein phosphorylation represented an essential network regulating the efficiency of neurotransmitter release and thereby synaptic strength and plasticity. This is also a description of the distinct scientific journeys that the three authors took on going back to Europe and how they were strongly influenced by the generous and outstanding mentorship of Paul Greengard, his genuine interest in their lives and careers and the life-long friendship with him.
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47
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Olvera D, Monaghan MG. Electroactive material-based biosensors for detection and drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 170:396-424. [PMID: 32987096 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Electroactive materials are employed at the interface of biology and electronics due to their advantageous intrinsic properties as soft organic electronics. We examine the most recent literature of electroactive material-based biosensors and their emerging role as theranostic devices for the delivery of therapeutic agents. We consider electroactive materials through the lens of smart drug delivery systems as materials that enable the release of therapeutic cargo in response to specific physiological and external stimuli and discuss the way these mechanisms are integrated into medical devices with examples of the latest advances. Studies that harness features unique to conductive polymers are emphasized; lastly, we highlight new perspectives and future research direction for this emerging technology and the challenges that remain to overcome.
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48
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Bilteanu L, Geicu OI, Stanca L, Pisoschi AM, Serban F, Serban AI, Calu V. Human Eye Optics within a Non-Euclidian Geometrical Approach and Some Implications in Vision Prosthetics Design. Biomolecules 2021; 11:215. [PMID: 33557081 PMCID: PMC7913825 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
An analogy with our previously published theory on the ionospheric auroral gyroscope provides a new perspective in human eye optics. Based on cone cells' real distribution, we model the human eye macula as a pseudospherical surface. This allows the rigorous description of the photoreceptor cell densities in the parafoveal zones modeled further by an optimized paving method. The hexagonal photoreceptors' distribution has been optimally projected on the elliptical pseudosphere, thus designing a prosthetic array counting almost 7000 pixel points. Thanks to the high morphological similarities to a normal human retina, the visual prosthesis performance in camera-free systems might be significantly improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liviu Bilteanu
- Department of Preclinic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 105 Blvd. Splaiul Independentei, 050097 Bucharest, Romania; (L.B.); (O.I.G.); (L.S.); (A.M.P.); (F.S.)
- Molecular Nanotechnology Laboratory, National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies, 126A, Erou Iancu Nicolae Street, 077190 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ovidiu I. Geicu
- Department of Preclinic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 105 Blvd. Splaiul Independentei, 050097 Bucharest, Romania; (L.B.); (O.I.G.); (L.S.); (A.M.P.); (F.S.)
| | - Loredana Stanca
- Department of Preclinic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 105 Blvd. Splaiul Independentei, 050097 Bucharest, Romania; (L.B.); (O.I.G.); (L.S.); (A.M.P.); (F.S.)
| | - Aurelia M. Pisoschi
- Department of Preclinic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 105 Blvd. Splaiul Independentei, 050097 Bucharest, Romania; (L.B.); (O.I.G.); (L.S.); (A.M.P.); (F.S.)
| | - Florea Serban
- Department of Preclinic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 105 Blvd. Splaiul Independentei, 050097 Bucharest, Romania; (L.B.); (O.I.G.); (L.S.); (A.M.P.); (F.S.)
| | - Andreea I. Serban
- Department of Preclinic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 105 Blvd. Splaiul Independentei, 050097 Bucharest, Romania; (L.B.); (O.I.G.); (L.S.); (A.M.P.); (F.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Blvd. Splaiul Independentei, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Valentin Calu
- Department of General Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” Bucharest, 8 Blvd. Eroii Sanitari, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
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49
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Moccia F, Antognazza MR, Lodola F. Towards Novel Geneless Approaches for Therapeutic Angiogenesis. Front Physiol 2021; 11:616189. [PMID: 33551844 PMCID: PMC7855168 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.616189] [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: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Such a widespread diffusion makes the conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels a primary medical and economic burden. It, therefore, becomes mandatory to identify effective treatments that can alleviate this global problem. Among the different solutions brought to the attention of the medical-scientific community, therapeutic angiogenesis is one of the most promising. However, this approach, which aims to treat cardiovascular diseases by generating new blood vessels in ischemic tissues, has so far led to inadequate results due to several issues. In this perspective, we will discuss cutting-edge approaches and future perspectives to alleviate the potentially lethal impact of cardiovascular diseases. We will focus on the consolidated role of resident endothelial progenitor cells, particularly endothelial colony forming cells, as suitable candidates for cell-based therapy demonstrating the importance of targeting intracellular Ca2+ signaling to boost their regenerative outcome. Moreover, we will elucidate the advantages of physical stimuli over traditional approaches. In particular, we will critically discuss recent results obtained by using optical stimulation, as a novel strategy to drive endothelial colony forming cells fate and its potential in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Moccia
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Antognazza
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Lodola
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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50
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Maiolo L, Guarino V, Saracino E, Convertino A, Melucci M, Muccini M, Ambrosio L, Zamboni R, Benfenati V. Glial Interfaces: Advanced Materials and Devices to Uncover the Role of Astroglial Cells in Brain Function and Dysfunction. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001268. [PMID: 33103375 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Research over the past four decades has highlighted the importance of certain brain cells, called glial cells, and has moved the neurocentric vision of structure, function, and pathology of the nervous system toward a more holistic perspective. In this view, the demand for technologies that are able to target and both selectively monitor and control glial cells is emerging as a challenge across neuroscience, engineering, chemistry, and material science. Frequently neglected or marginally considered as a barrier to be overcome between neural implants and neuronal targets, glial cells, and in particular astrocytes, are increasingly considered as active players in determining the outcomes of device implantation. This review provides a concise overview not only of the previously established but also of the emerging physiological and pathological roles of astrocytes. It also critically discusses the most recent advances in biomaterial interfaces and devices that interact with glial cells and thus have enabled scientists to reach unprecedented insights into the role of astroglial cells in brain function and dysfunction. This work proposes glial interfaces and glial engineering as multidisciplinary fields that have the potential to enable significant advancement of knowledge surrounding cognitive function and acute and chronic neuropathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Maiolo
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Microelettronica e i Microsistemi Via del Fosso del Cavaliere n.100 Roma 00133 Italy
| | - Vincenzo Guarino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per i Polimeri Compositi e Biomateriali Viale J.F. Kennedy 54, Mostra d'Oltremare, Pad 20 Napoli 80125 Italy
| | - Emanuela Saracino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività via P. Gobetti 101 Bologna 40129 Italy
| | - Annalisa Convertino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Microelettronica e i Microsistemi Via del Fosso del Cavaliere n.100 Roma 00133 Italy
| | - Manuela Melucci
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività via P. Gobetti 101 Bologna 40129 Italy
| | - Michele Muccini
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati via P. Gobetti 101 Bologna 40129 Italy
| | - Luigi Ambrosio
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per i Polimeri Compositi e Biomateriali Viale J.F. Kennedy 54, Mostra d'Oltremare, Pad 20 Napoli 80125 Italy
| | - Roberto Zamboni
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività via P. Gobetti 101 Bologna 40129 Italy
| | - Valentina Benfenati
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività via P. Gobetti 101 Bologna 40129 Italy
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