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Improving neuron-to-electrode surface attachment via alkanethiol self-assembly: an alternating current impedance
Gymama E Slaughter1, Erhard Bieberich, Gary E Wnek
1Center for Bioelectronics, Biosensors and Biochips, School of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 843038, 601 West Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23284-3038, USA.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|August 11, 2004
Summary
Cysteamine (CA) and 11-amino-1-undecanethiol (11-AUT) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold microelectrodes enhance neuron-to-electrode surface attachment (NESA). CA-SAMs with laminin showed optimal NESA, improving cell adhesion and stable impedance responses.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Neuroscience
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Improving neuron-to-electrode surface attachment (NESA) is critical for neural interfaces.
- Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) offer tunable surface properties for biomaterial applications.
- Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins promote cell adhesion and neuronal growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of cysteamine (CA) and 11-amino-1-undecanethiol (11-AUT) SAMs in enhancing NESA.
- To evaluate the impact of covalently immobilized ECM proteins (collagen, fibronectin, laminin) on neuronal attachment.
- To determine the optimal surface modification for stable and reproducible neuronal signal transduction.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of gold microelectrodes within cell culture plates.
- Chemisorption of CA and 11-AUT to form SAMs on gold surfaces.
- Surface characterization using dynamic contact angle (DCA) and tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM).
- Covalent immobilization of ECM proteins via heterobifunctional cross-linking.
- Assessment of PC-12 cell attachment and response using alternating current impedance spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- CA-SAMs exhibited greater amphiphilic character and surface roughness compared to 11-AUT-SAMs.
- Covalent immobilization of laminin, fibronectin, and collagen was confirmed on SAM-modified surfaces.
- PC-12 cells cultured on SAM-modified, protein-derivatized surfaces showed stable and reproducible impedance responses.
- CA-SAMs functionalized with laminin demonstrated the highest magnitude and reproducibility of impedance responses, indicating optimal NESA.
Conclusions:
- CA-SAMs provide a superior surface for neuronal attachment when functionalized with laminin.
- Covalent immobilization of ECM proteins significantly enhances NESA by anchoring cells.
- The combination of CA-SAMs and laminin offers a promising strategy for advanced neural interface development.