Neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells and mouse neural stem cells on carbon nanotube films

Abstract

In development of methods of stimulation of regeneration of nerve tissues and creation of new-generation bioelectronic devices, studying the interaction of nerve cells with specially developed scaffolds with different characteristics of the surface within a nanometer range is a necessary stage. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), flexible graphene films rolled up into nanosized cylindrical tubes, may represent a promising material for making these scaffolds. CNTs were obtained by chemical vapor deposition. Analysis of PC12 cells cultivated on quartz glasses covered with CNT films using electron and optical microscopy have been performed. It has been demonstrated that CNTs stimulate proliferation and do not inhibit neuronal differentiation of the PC12 cells. The possibility of obtaining neurons differentiated from mouse neural stem cells on quartz glasses covered with the CNT films has been shown. The data obtained indicate the possibility of using CNT films produced by chemical vapor deposition on quartz glasses as an electroconductive substrate for obtaining cells of neural origin and, possibly, mature neurons and studying their functions.