Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):GlycosAminoGlycan Aqueous Dispersions: Toward Electrically Conductive Bioactive Materials for Neural Interfaces

• Published in: Macromolecular bioscience 2016-08, Vol.16 (8), p.1227-1238
• Main Authors: Mantione, Daniele, del Agua, Isabel, Schaafsma, Wandert, Diez-Garcia, Javier, Castro, Begona, Sardon, Haritz, Mecerreyes, David
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenosine Triphosphate - pharmacology; Animals; Biocompatibility; biocompatible; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic - chemical synthesis; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic - chemistry; Calcium - metabolism; Cell Adhesion - drug effects; Cell Death - drug effects; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Color; conductive polymers; Electric Conductivity; GAGs; Glycosaminoglycans - chemical synthesis; Glycosaminoglycans - chemistry; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide - pharmacology; Immunohistochemistry; Kinetics; Mice; Neurons - drug effects; Neurons - physiology; neuroprotective; Oxidation-Reduction; PC12 Cells; PEDOT; Polymerization; Polymers - chemical synthesis; Polymers - chemistry; Potassium Chloride - pharmacology; Rats; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Viscosity; Water - chemistry
• ISSN: 1616-5187; 1616-5195
• DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201600059

There is an actual need of advanced materials for the emerging field of bioelectronics. One commonly used material is the conducting polymer poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) due to its general use in organic electronics. However, depending on the application in bioelectronics, PEDOT:PSS is not fully biocompatible due to the high acidity of the residual sulfonate protons of PSS. In this paper, the synthesis and biocompatibility properties of new poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):GlycosAminoGlycan (PEDOT:GAG) aqueous dispersions and its resulting films are shown. Thus, negatively charged GAGs as an alternative to PSS are presented. Three different commercially available GAGs, hyaluronic acid, heparin, and chondroitin sulfate are used. Indeed, PEDOT:GAGs dispersions are prepared through an oxidative chemical polymerization in water. Biocompatibility assays of the PEDOT:GAGs coatings are performed using SH‐SY5Y and CCF‐STTG1 cell lines and with ATP and Ca2+. Results show full biocompatibility and a pronounced anti‐inflammatory effect. This last characteristic becomes crucial if implanted in the body. These materials can be used for in vivo applications, as transistor or electrode for electrical recording and for all the possible situations when there is contact between electronic circuits and living tissues. Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):GlycosAminoGlycan (PEDOT:GAG) dispersion are easily synthesized in water via oxidative chemical polymerization. The conductive materials are bio‐tested using SH‐SY5Y and CCF‐STTG1 cell lines and with ATP, Ca2+, and H2O2. PEDOT/GAGs results more biotolerated than the commercial PEDOT/poly(styrene sulfonate) dispersion and have a pronounced anti‐inflammatory effect. These materials can be used in all the possible situations when there is contact in between electronic circuits and living tissues.