Electroactive Materials Surface Charge Impacts Neuron Viability and Maturation in 2D Cultures

Since neurons werefirst cultured outside a living organismmorethan a century ago, a number of experimental techniques for their in vitro maintenance have been developed. These methodshave been further adapted and refined to study specific neurobiologicalprocesses under controlled experimental conditions. Despite theirlimitations, the simplicity and visual accessibility of 2D cultureshave enabled the study of the effects of trophic factors, adhesionmolecules, and biophysical stimuli on neuron function and morphology.Nevertheless, the impact of fundamental properties of the surfacesto which neurons adhere when cultured in vitro hasnot been sufficiently considered. Here, we used an electroactive polymerwith different electric poling states leading to different surfacecharges to evaluate the impact of the net electric surface chargeon the behavior of primary neurons. Average negative and positivesurface charges promote increased metabolic activity and enhance thematuration of primary neurons, demonstrating the relevance of consideringthe composition and electric charge of the culture surfaces. Thesefindings further pave the way for the development of novel therapeuticstrategies for the regeneration of neural tissues, particularly basedon dynamic surface charge variation that can be induced in the electroactivefilms through mechanical solicitation.

Automated summary

Since the first cultivation of neurons outside living organisms over a century ago, various experimental techniques have been developed for their in vitro maintenance. However, the impact of the properties of the surface to which neurons adhere in vitro has not been sufficiently considered.