ITO/gold nanoparticle/RGD peptide composites to enhance electrochemical signals and proliferation of human neural stem cells

A cell chip composed of ITO, gold nanoparticles (GNP) and RGD-MAP-C peptide composites was fabricated to enhance the electrochemical signals and proliferation of undifferentiated human neural stem cells (HB1.F3). The structural characteristics of the fabricated surfaces were confirmed by both scanning electron microscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. HB1.F3 cells were allowed to attach to various composites electrodes in the cell chip and the material-dependent effects on electrochemical signals and cell proliferation were analyzed. The ITO/60 nm GNP/RGD-MAP-C composite electrode was found to be the best material in regards to enhancing the voltammetric signals of HB1.F3 cells when exposed to cyclic voltammetry, as well as for increasing cell proliferation. Differential pulse voltammetry was performed to evaluate the adverse effects of doxorubicin on HB1.F3 cells. In these experiments, negative correlations between cell viability and chemical concentrations were obseved, which were more sensitive than MTT viability assay especially at low concentrations (< 0.1 μg/mL).From the Clinical EditorIn this basic science study, a cell chip composed of ITO, gold nanoparticles and RGD-MAP-C peptide composites was fabricated to enhance electrochemical signals and proliferation of undifferentiated human neural stem cells (HB1.F3). The ITO/60 nm GNP/RGD-MAP-C composite electrode was found to best enhance the voltammetric signals of the studied cells.

Graphical AbstractThe ITO/60 nm GNP/RGD-MAP-C composite electrode showed excellent performance in regard to enhancing the voltammetric signals of HB1.F3 cells when exposed to cyclic voltammetry, as well as for increasing cell proliferation. The negative effects of chemotherapeutic agent (doxorubicin) on human neural stem cells were further investigated using fabricated cell chip that showed higher sensitivity than conventional MTT viability assay. Moreover, the fabricated surface containing the 60 nm GNP/RGD-MAP-C peptide composite was found to be most suitable for SERS study, which produced stronger Raman peaks than any other materials.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (165 K)Download as PowerPoint slide