Electrical charge on ferroelectric nanocomposite membranes enhances SHED neural differentiation

ABSTRACT: Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) uniquely exhibit high proliferative and neurogenic potential. Charged biomaterials have been demonstrated to promote neural differentiation of stem cells, but the dose-response effect of electrical stimuli from these materials on neural differentiation of SHED remains to be elucidated. Here, by utilizing different annealing temperatures prior to corona poling treatment, BaTiO3/P(VDF-TrFE) ferroelectric nanocomposite membranes with varying charge polarization intensity (d33 ≈ 0, 4, 12 and 19 pC N−1) were fabricated. Enhanced expression of neural markers, increased cell elongation and more prominent neurite outgrowths were observed with increasing surface charge of the nanocomposite membrane indicating a dose-response effect of surface electrical charge on SHED neural differentiation. Further investigations of the underlying molecular mechanisms revealed that intracellular calcium influx, focal adhesion formation, FAK-ERK mechanosensing pathway and neurogenic-related ErbB signaling pathway were implicated in the enhancement of SHED neural differentiation by surface electrical charge. Hence, this study confirms the dose-response effect of biomaterial surface charge on SHED neural differentiation and provides preliminary insights into the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Membrane surface charge can be precisely controlled by adjusting annealing temperature and corona poling parameters.• Both earlier and later neurogenic differentiation of SHED appear to be dose-dependently enhanced by surface charge.• Underlying molecular mechanisms may involve intracellular Ca2+ influx, focal adhesion formation, FAK-ERK and ErbB signaling.

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9131252 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature