There is a growing interest to replace synthetic polymers and animal based proteins with plant-based nanomaterials for biomedical applications. Cellulose nanofibril (CNF) hydrogels have been used both for cell culture and for 3D bioprinting of tissue mimics. Spherical lignin nanoparticles or colloidal lignin particles (CLPs) have also recently gained interest for applications ranging from drug delivery to emulsion stabilization and energy storage. However, the lignocellulosic nanoparticles need surface modification or additives for optimal performance. For example, the 3D printed constructs need modification for dimensional stability during storage and use in physiological conditions. To enable surface tailoring it is essential to understand the interactions between the lignocellulosic nanoparticles and living cells or proteins. Well-defined model substrates from CLPs were prepared and microgravimetry (QCM-D) was employed to study their swelling behavior and stability as a function of pH as well as adsorption of proteins and cationic lignin used for surface modification. Furthermore, direct surface forces between CNF and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins like laminin and collagens were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The forces between living cells (human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, HepG2 and human pluripotent stem cells, WA07) and CNF were also measured. The results were compared to forces between cells and ECM proteins like laminin and collagens, that are commonly used in cell culture. Different concentrations of CLPs were added to CNF-alginate hydrogels to improve the shape stability of 3D-printed constructs. The prepared scaffolds showed improved stability in cell culture medium. The cell viability of HepG2 cells in the modified hydrogels was investigated. The number of living cells increased at least two times for all the formulated scaffolds within a 5 days of cell culturing. The biocompatibility and mechanical properties of the lignocellulosic nanoparticles makes them promising for biomedical applications and the gained fundamental understanding of surface interactions will enable their tailoring.

Lignocellulosic nanoparticles: From fundamental understanding of interactions to biomedical applications

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.