Improving the glial differentiation of human Schwann-like adipose-derived stem cells with graphene oxide substrates

TL;DR

This study investigates the use of graphene oxide substrates to enhance the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into Schwann-like cells, aiming to improve peripheral nerve regeneration strategies.

Contribution

It demonstrates that reduced graphene oxide substrates significantly increase gene expression related to nerve regeneration, offering a novel approach for bioengineered nerve conduits.

Findings

Graphene substrates are highly biocompatible.

Reduced graphene oxide enhances gene expression for regeneration.

Potential for improved nerve repair applications.

Abstract

There is urgent clinical need to improve the clinical outcome of peripheral nerve injury. Many efforts are directed towards the fabrication of bioengineered conduits, which could deliver stem cells to the site of injury to promote and guide peripheral nerve regeneration. The aim of this study is to assess if graphene and related nanomaterials can be useful in the fabrication of such conduits. A comparison is made between GO and reduced GO substrates. Our results show that the graphene substrates are highly biocompatible, and the reduced GO substrates are more effective in ncreasing the gene expression of the biomolecules involved in the regeneration process compared to the other substrates studied.