Layer-by-Layer Surface-Modified Supramolecular Fullerene Microrods for Cell Feeding.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Layer-by-layer (LbL) surface modification is a versatile strategy for tailoring interfacial properties of self-assembled nanostructures.
• Fullerene nanostructures offer unique properties for biomedical applications.
• Controlling cell-material interactions is crucial for developing effective biomedical materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop LbL surface-modified supramolecular fullerene microrods (FMR).
• To investigate tunable cell-material interactions and cell-feeding phenomena.
• To assess the potential of these modified nanostructures for biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of fullerene microrods (FMR) using liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP).
• LbL surface modification using amphiphilic polymers (Pluronic) and natural biomolecules (gelatin).
• Characterization of surface properties (wettability, layer thickness) and evaluation of NIH/3T3 fibroblast responses.

Main Results:

• LbL modification significantly enhanced surface hydrophilicity of FMR, decreasing contact angle from 104° to 44°.
• Multilayer-coated fullerene microrods (FMR-P/G_12 h) exhibited enhanced early-stage NIH/3T3 fibroblast viability (up to ~349% at 3 days).
• Surface-engineered FMR-P/G_12 h facilitated favorable cell-material interactions, modulating cellular responses.

Conclusions:

• LbL surface modification is effective in engineering fullerene microrods for improved biocompatibility.
• Enhanced hydrophilicity and interfacial properties of FMR-P/G_12 h promote cell viability and favorable interactions.
• LbL-engineered fullerene constructs hold significant potential for interface-driven biomedical material design.