Electrically Conductive Micropatterned Polyaniline-Poly(ethylene glycol) Composite Hydrogel

Hydrogel substrate-based micropatterns can be adjusted using the pattern shape and size, affecting cell behaviors such as proliferation and differentiation under various cellular environment parameters. An electrically conductive hydrogel pattern system mimics the native muscle tissue environment. In this study, we incorporated polyaniline (PANi) in a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel matrix through UV-induced photolithography with photomasks, and electrically conductive hydrogel micropatterns were generated within a few seconds. The electrical conductance of the PANi/PEG hydrogel was 30.5 +/- 0.5 mS/cm. C2C12 myoblasts were cultured on the resulting substrate, and the cells adhered selectively to the PANi/PEG hydrogel regions. Myogenic differentiation of the C2C12 cells was induced, and the alignment of myotubes was consistent with the arrangement of the line pattern. The expression of myosin heavy chain on the line pattern showed potential as a substrate for myogenic cell functionalization.

Automated summary

By incorporating electrically conductive polyaniline into a polyethylene glycol hydrogel matrix using UV-induced photolithography, electrically conductive hydrogel micropatterns were successfully generated in a few seconds. Culturing C2C12 myoblasts on this substrate resulted in selective cell adhesion to the conductive hydrogel regions, promoting myogenic differentiation and aligning myotubes in accordance with the pattern arrangement. The expression of myosin heavy chain on the patterned substrate indicates its potential as a substrate for myogenic cell functionalization.