Pyrolysed 3D-Carbon Scaffolds Induce Spontaneous Differentiation of Human Neural Stem Cells and Facilitate Real-Time Dopamine Detection

Structurally patterned pyrolysed three-dimensional carbon scaffolds (p3Dcarbon)
are fabricated and applied for differentiation of human neural
stem cells (hNSCs) developed for cell replacement therapy and sensing
of released dopamine. In the absence of differentiation factors (DF) the
pyrolysed carbon material induces spontaneous hNSC differentiation into
mature dopamine-producing neurons and the 3D-topography promotes
neurite elongation. In the presence and absence of DF, ≈73–82% of the
hNSCs obtain dopaminergic properties on pyrolysed carbon, a to-date
unseen efficiency in both two-dimensional (2D) and 3D environment. Due
to conductive properties and 3D environment, the p3D-carbon serves as a
neurotransmitter trap, enabling electrochemical detection of a signifi cantly
larger dopamine fraction released by the hNSC derived neurons than on
conventional 2D electrodes. This is the first study of its kind, presenting new
conductive 3D scaffolds that provide highly efficient hNSC differentiation to
dopaminergic phenotype combined with real-time in situ confirmation of the
fate of the hNSC-derived neurons.