Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structure Enhances Neuroelectrode Charge Transfer Capabilities and Modulates Astrocyte Function

Adriona Kelly, Nazar Farid, Katarzyna Krukiewicz, Nicole Belisle, John Groarke, Elaine M. Waters, Alexandre Trotier, Fathima Laffir, Michelle Kilcoyne, Gerard M. O'Connor, Manus J. Biggs

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    The brain machine interface (BMI) describes a group of technologies capable of communicating with excitable nervous tissue within the central nervous system (CNS). BMIs have seen major advances in recent years, but these advances have been impeded because of a temporal deterioration in the signal to noise ratio of recording electrodes following insertion into the CNS. This deterioration has been attributed to an intrinsic host tissue response, namely, reactive gliosis, which involves a complex series of immune mediators, resulting in implant encapsulation via the synthesis of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules and the recruitment of glial cells. There is a clinical need to reduce tissue encapsulation in situ and improve long-Term neuroelectrode functionality. Physical modification of the electrode surface at the nanoscale could satisfy these requirements by integrating electrochemical and topographical signals to modulate neural cell behavior. In this study, commercially available platinum iridium (Pt/Ir) microelectrode probes were nanotopographically functionalized using femto/picosecond laser processing to generate laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS). Three different topographies and their physical properties were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The electrochemical properties of these interfaces were investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The in vitro response of mixed cortical cultures (embryonic rat E14/E17) was subsequently assessed by confocal microscopy, ELISA, and multiplex protein array analysis. Overall LIPSS features improved the electrochemical properties of the electrodes, promoted cell alignment, and modulated the expression of multiple ion channels involved in key neuronal functions.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1449-1461
    Number of pages13
    JournalACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering
    Volume6
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 9 Mar 2020

    Keywords

    • astrogliosis
    • cell alignment
    • electrochemical impedance
    • LIPSS
    • neuroelectrode
    • platinum/iridium

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structure Enhances Neuroelectrode Charge Transfer Capabilities and Modulates Astrocyte Function'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this