Fabrication and characterization of bioresorbable, electroactive and highly regular nanomodulated cell interfaces

Biomaterial-based implantable scaffolds capable of promoting physical and functional reconnection of injured spinal cord and nerves represent the latest frontier in neural tissue engineering. Here, we report the fabrication and characterization of self-standing, biocompatible and bioresorbable substrates endowed with both controlled nanotopography and electroactivity, intended for the design of transient implantable scaffolds for neural tissue engineering. In particular, we obtain conductive and nano-modulated poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(lactic-<i>co</i>-glycolic acid) free-standing films by simply iterating a replica moulding process and coating the polymer with a thin layer of poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate. The capability of the substrates to retain both surface patterning and electrical properties when exposed to a liquid environment has been evaluated by atomic force microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and thermal characterizations. In particular, we show that PLA-based films maintain their surface nano-modulation for up to three weeks of exposure to a liquid environment, a time sufficient for promoting axonal anisotropic sprouting and growth during neuronal cell differentiation. In conclusion, the developed substrates represent a novel and easily-tunable platform to design bioresorbable implantable devices featuring both topographic and electrical cues.