Neat poly(ortho-methoxyaniline) electrospun nanofibers for neural stem cell differentiation

Abstract

In this manuscript, neat electrospun poly(o-methoxyaniline) (POMA) fibers were applied for the first time in the growth of neural stem cells. POMA was synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization, followed by dissolving in tetrahydrofuran/dimethylformamide to prepare electrospinning solution. Subsequently, the solution was electrospun to produce polymeric fibers. The structure, transparency and morphology of as-prepared POMA fibers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. It was found to have no adverse effects on the long-term proliferation of the neural stem cells (NSCs), retain the ability to self-renew, and exhibit multipotentiality. Studies on cell–fiber interactions were carried out by culturing NSCs on the POMA substrate and assessing their growth, cell viability, and differentiation. Results of cell viability assay, immunofluorescence staining, quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR and calcium image studies confirmed that POMA electrospun fibers not only showed better NSCs attachment, but also enhanced and accelerated differentiation.