Surface modification and characterization of GO/polymer thin coatings as excellent bio-active platforms for tissue regeneration

Osteo-integration and tissue regeneration are vital for the longevity, durability, and unremitting functionality of medical implants/scaffolds implanted in vivo. It's essential for biomaterials used for in vivo implantation to induce the cellular secretion of growth factors, necessary for the desired tissue generation, since the administration of artificial growth factors, in vivo, is largely prohibited. Plasma functionalized (N₂ and O₂) and stabilized Graphene Oxide (GO) thin layers in a hybrid with amorphous carbon (aC) induced the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) growth factors in fibroblasts (hGF) and, more remarkably, in osteoblasts (hFOB) cells confirming the suitability for tissue regeneration and osteo-integration applications. We also observed a negative trend between hGF fibroblasts, but not hFOB osteoblasts, cellular viability and GO presence in the hybrid films that might indicate the phenomenon of oxidative stress. We traced that back to the presence of higher concentrations of carboxyl and the carbonyl groups on the surface of the GO rich coatings. The above described properties provided by GO coatings might be desirable for bio-selectivity applications and for the reduction of the undesired fibrosis process that is associated with medical implants in vivo environment. Moreover, novel plasma functionalized GO/polymer hybrid thin coating hybrid compositions are promising candidates for tissue engineering and bioengineering applications as excellent antimicrobial and anticancer platforms.