2025 AIChE Annual Meeting

(287e) Automated Layer-By-Layer Engineering of Bioactive Surfaces: Comparative Collagen Screening and Enhanced Human Schwann Cell Response for Peripheral Nerve Repair

Authors

Luis Carlos Pinzon-Herrera - Presenter, University of Maryland Baltimore County
Jorge Almodovar, University of Arkansas
Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) present critical clinical challenges due to their limited capacity for self-repair and the complications associated with autografts, such as donor site morbidity and functional deficits. Nerve Guide Conduits (NGCs) have emerged as a viable alternative for short-gap nerve repair; however, their regenerative potential remains constrained by insufficient surface bioactivity and lack of essential extracellular matrix (ECM) components.

To address these limitations, we implemented an automated Layer-by-Layer (LbL) assembly method to fabricate heparin (HEP) and collagen (COL) coatings on both tissue culture plastic (TCP) and commercially available collagen-based NGCs. Automation enables precise control, uniform deposition, and enhanced scalability. A comparative analysis of three different collagen sources was conducted to identify the most effective formulation for promoting cellular interactions.

This study places a particular focus on enhancing the behavior of human Schwann cells (hSCs), which are pivotal to the peripheral nerve regeneration process. We assessed the biological performance of (HEP/COL)₆ coatings through a series of in vitro assays, observing significant improvements in hSC adhesion, proliferation, and migration, both in the presence and absence of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). Additionally, IR-Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (IR-VASE) confirmed the long-term stability of the coatings under physiological conditions, supporting their functional durability.

Complementary studies with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and Rat pheochromocytoma-derived PC-12 cells validated the broader applicability of the coatings. The strongest and most consistent bioactivity was observed with hSCs and hMSCs, underscoring the potential of coatings to selectively support cell-mediated improvement.

Altogether, this work demonstrates that automated LbL deposition of optimized (HEP/COL) coatings constitutes a robust strategy for engineering bioactive surfaces. By integrating collagen screening, advanced characterization, and detailed hSC response analysis, we provide a scalable and clinically relevant approach to enhance cell behavior and peripheral nerve regeneration through biomimetic surface modification.