Biomimetic materials based on hydroxyapatite patterns for studying extracellular cell communication

• Published in: Materials & design Vol. 238; p. 112718
• Main Authors: Zyrianova, Polina I., Eltantawy, Mervat M., Silin, Danil V., Korolev, Ilya S., Nikolaev, Konstantin G., Kozodaev, Dmitry A., Slautina, Alla S., Surmenev, Roman A., Kholkin, Andrei L., Ulasevich, Sviatlana A., Skorb, Ekaterina V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: C2C12 cell line; Calcium signaling; Cell communication; Ion-selective electrode; Layer-by-layer assembly; Liesegang rings; Calcium signaling; Cell communication; Liesegang rings; C2C12 cell line; Ion-selective electrode; Layer-by-layer assembly
• ISSN: 0264-1275
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2024.112718

Nowadays, the development of systems for detecting signal transmission between cells is relevant and necessary. In this article, a system made of biomimetic materials with pizoresponse – hydroxyapatite patterns on which cells are localized, and a microelectrode system based on carbon fiber is created. The system allows us to record effectively ion currents in the extracellular space.
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•A system based on hydroxyapatite rings and ion-selective microelectrodes is set up to study extracellular cell communication.•The hydroxyapatite patterns demonstrate a piezoelectric response and ability to localize C2C12 cells in the certain place.•Flexible ion-selective microelectrodes made of carbon fiber, polyelectrolytes and ion-exchange membrane do not damage cells.•The Ca2+, Na+, K+ propagation along the hydroxyapatite patterns is studied in situ after activation Ca2+ channels in vitro.
The study of cellular ion channels forms a basic understanding of healthy organ functioning and the body as a whole; however, the native role of signal transmission through ion channels between cells remains unclear. The success of the signal transmission investigation depends on the methods and materials used. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new approach and system for studying detecting cell–cell communication. In this work, we suggest the system of hydroxyapatite patterns demonstrating piezoresponse in conjunction with fiber-based biosensors for detection of electrical signaling in cellular communities. Our system does not disrupt the integrity of cell membrane. The cells are located on self-assembled hydroxyapatite patterns forming the tissue patterns and communicating via spatially propagating waves of calcium, sodium, and potassium ions. These waves result from positive feedback caused by the activation of Ca2+ channels. The fiber-based ion-selective microelectrodes fixed above the patterns are used to detect the sodium, potassium, calcium ion currents in the extracellular space. We use norepinephrine to activate the Ca2+ channels result in intracellular Ca2+ release between the cell communities on different patterns. This system could be perspective as an efficient platform to lab-on-a-chip study as well as fundamental understanding of cellular communication during regeneration.