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Published on: January 8, 2016
Electroactive functional microenvironments from bioactive polymers: A new strategy to address cancer
S Ribeiro1, M Soares2, B Hermenegildo3
1Physics Centre of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LaPMET-Laboratory of Physics for Materials and Emergent Technologies, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; IB-S-Institute for Research and Innovation on Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
Abstract:
The present work reports on a new approach based on electroactive microenvironments to mitigate skeletal muscle cancer. For that, piezoelectric films based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) have been applied to evaluate the influence of mechano- and/or electrical stimuli on rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) proliferation. Human embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells were cultured on PVDF pristine films with different surface charge (non-poled, poled+ and poled-) and magnetic composites (10% and 20% Fe3O4, and 20% CFO filler content) to allow magneto-mechanical and magnetoelectrical stimulation films. Electrospun PVDF pristine (oriented and randomly) and magnetic (10% Fe3O4) fiber mats were also evaluated to take into consideration the morphology effect on cell response. It was found that the mechanical stimuli enhance RMS proliferation whereas the mechano-electrical decreases it. It was also verified that the RD cells proliferate better on randomly oriented fibers, whereas myoblast cells do it better in oriented ones. The obtained results confirm that electroactive microenvironments can be used to develop novel and effective approaches to deal with RMS cancer, that can be extrapolated to others cancer types.
Insights
Electroactive microenvironments using piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) films can mitigate rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cancer. Mechanical stimuli increased RMS proliferation, while mechano-electrical stimuli decreased it, offering novel therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cancer Research
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Skeletal muscle cancer, specifically rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), poses a significant therapeutic challenge.
- Developing novel strategies to control cancer cell proliferation is crucial for effective treatment.
- Electroactive materials offer potential for modulating cellular behavior through physical stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of electroactive microenvironments on rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cell proliferation.
- To evaluate the influence of mechanical and electrical stimuli on human embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells.
- To explore the role of material morphology and surface charge in cell response.
Main Methods:
- Culturing human embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells on piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films.
- Applying various surface charges (non-poled, poled+, poled-) and magnetic composites (Fe3O4, CFO) for magneto-mechanical and magnetoelectrical stimulation.
- Evaluating electrospun PVDF fiber mats (pristine and magnetic) with different orientations (random and oriented).
Main Results:
- Mechanical stimuli were found to enhance RMS proliferation.
- Mechano-electrical stimuli demonstrated a decrease in RMS proliferation.
- RD cells showed better proliferation on randomly oriented fibers, while myoblast cells preferred oriented fibers.
Conclusions:
- Electroactive microenvironments can be effectively utilized to develop novel approaches for mitigating RMS cancer.
- The findings suggest potential extrapolation of these strategies to other cancer types.
- Material properties and morphology significantly influence cancer cell behavior and proliferation.
