%0 Journal Article
%T Nanocomposites Based on PLLA and Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes Support the Myogenic Differentiation of Murine Myoblast Cell Line
%A Simona Montesano
%A Erlantz Lizundia
%A Francesco D'Angelo
%A Elena Fortunati
%A Samantha Mattioli
%A Francesco Morena
%A Ilaria Bicchi
%A Fabio Naro
%A Maurilio Sampaolesi
%A Jos¨¨ Ramon Sarasua
%A Jos¨¨ Maria Kenny
%A Aldo Orlacchio
%A Ilaria Armentano
%A Sabata Martino
%J ISRN Tissue Engineering
%D 2013
%R 10.1155/2013/825912
%X We explored the effect of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) containing various percentages (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 3£¿wt.%) of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the myogenic differentiation of C2C12 murine myoblast progenitor cells. We showed that all PLLA/MWCNTs nanocomposite materials support the myotubes formation more efficiently than neat PLLA as indicated by the high expression of the most significant myogenic markers: MyoD, Myosin Heavy Chain, dimension of myofibres, and fusion myogenic index. Interestingly, we note that both MyoD and myogenic fusion index levels were in the order 0.1£¿MWCNTs = 0.5£¿MWCNTs > 1£¿MWCNTs > 3£¿MWCNTs > neat PLLA, suggesting that the amount of MWCNTs influenced the cell differentiation. 1. Introduction The goal of regenerative medicine is the generation of a biohybrid organ culture that closely mimics the physiological tissue developmental conditions through the combination of smart biomaterials and stem/precursor cells that could re-establish the metabolic alteration [1, 2]. It is hypothesised that stem/precursor cells could be able to convert the mechanical cues of biomaterials on biochemical signals and in turn modulate their fate. This phenomenon called mechanotransduction is under investigation intensively [2¨C4]. In this regard we have evaluated the interaction of stem cells and biomaterials showing that stem cells can act as mechanosensitive units responding to the material characteristic specifically. Thus adult, embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells respond to nanocomposite poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) fibrous mats containing 1£¿wt.% to 8£¿wt.% amounts of calcium deficient hydroxyapatite with osteogenic differentiation [5], whereas human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) respond to hydrogenated amorphous carbon with groove surface nanotopography with acquisition of neuronal characteristics [6]. Recently in our laboratory we have successfully developed and characterized the conductive nanocomposite films based on PLLA containing various percents (0.1, 0.5, 1, 3£¿wt.%) of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (namely PLLA/MWCNTs: 0.1£¿MWCNTs, 0.5£¿MWCNTs, 1£¿MWCNTs, and 3£¿MWCNTs) [7]. PLLA is a biocompatible polymer matrix in nanocomposite production characterized by peculiar mechanical properties, adjustable degradation rate, and ease of manufacturing [8, 9]. Carbon nanotubes are considered perfect reinforcing agents for high-strength and conductive polymer composites, because of their mechanical response and high electrical conductivity [10]. Thus PLLA/MWCNTs nanocomposites provide the possibility to
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.tissue.engineering/2013/825912/