Background & aim: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a promising material for implantation due to the fact that CNTs are conductive and have nanostructured dimensions that mimic the 3D structure of proteins found in extracellular matrices. We have investigated whether the CNTs interact with various types of stem cells and either selectively enhance survival of stem cells or not.
Materials & methods: CNTs used in the experiments are aligned with polycarbonate urethane. Experiments were carried out using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and cortical derived neurospheres. Immunocytochemistry and scanning electron microscopic analysis were performed for determining the favorable surface material (either CNT or polycarbonate urethane array) for cell survival.
Results: It was demonstrated that the MSCs and the neurosphere of cortex-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) grew on the CNT array and both MSCs and NSCs interacted with the aligned CNTs. The results suggest that CNTs assist in the proliferation of MSCs and aid differentiation of cortex-derived NSCs.
Conclusion: CNTs may be a novel biocompatible nanophase material with the potential for aiding neuron differentiation.