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Biofunctionalization of Magnetic Nanomaterials
Published on: July 16, 2020
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Surface plasma functionalization influences macrophage behavior on carbon nanowalls
Raluca Ion1, Sorin Vizireanu2, Claudia Elena Stancu3
1University of Bucharest, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 91-95 Spl. Independentei, 050095 Bucharest, Romania.
Summary
Plasma treatment modifies carbon nanowall surfaces, enhancing tissue engineering scaffolds. Nitrogen plasma improves cell adhesion, while oxygen plasma activates macrophages, influencing inflammatory responses.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Carbon nanowalls (CNWs) are promising scaffolds for tissue engineering.
- Surface properties of CNWs critically influence cellular interactions.
- Plasma treatment offers a method to modify CNW surface characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To functionalize CNW surfaces using oxygen or nitrogen plasma.
- To investigate the impact of plasma-treated CNWs on macrophage behavior.
- To correlate surface chemistry modifications with cellular responses.
Main Methods:
- Surface modification via oxygen and nitrogen plasma treatment.
- Surface characterization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and water contact angle measurements.
- In vitro evaluation of macrophage (RAW 264.7) responses including adhesion, proliferation, morphology, and cytokine release (TNF-α, MIP-1α).
Main Results:
- Plasma treatments effectively converted hydrophobic CNWs to hydrophilic surfaces.
- Incorporation of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen functional groups was confirmed.
- All CNW surfaces supported macrophage adhesion and growth.
- Nitrogen plasma enhanced cell adhesion compared to untreated CNWs.
- Oxygen plasma increased macrophage adhesion, spreading, and cytokine release, indicating activation.
Conclusions:
- Plasma treatment significantly alters CNW surface chemistry and wettability.
- Surface chemistry modifications, not just wettability, dictate macrophage responses.
- Oxygen and nitrogen plasma treatments elicit distinct macrophage phenotypes in vitro.
- Tailoring CNW surface chemistry via plasma offers a strategy to control cellular interactions for tissue engineering.
