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Richardson, R.T. et al.

Richardson, Thompson, Moulton, Newbold, Lum, Cameron, Wallace, Kapsa, Clark, O'leary,

The effect of polypyrrole with incorporated neurotrophin-3 on the promotion of neurite outgrowth from auditory neurons.

This research aims to improve the nerve-electrode interface of the cochlear implant using polymer technology to encourage neuron survival, elongation and adhesion to the electrodes. Polypyrrole (Ppy) doped with p-toluene sulphonate (pTS) is an electroactive polymer into which neurotrophin-3 ( NT3) can be incorporated. Ppy/pTS+/-NT3 was synthesised over gold electrodes and used as a surface for auditory neuron explant culture. Neurite outgrowth from explants grown on Ppy/pTS was equivalent to tissue culture plastic but improved with the incorporation of NT3 (Ppy/pTS/ NT3). Electrical stimulation of Ppy/pTS/ NT3 with a biphasic current pulse, as used in cochlear implants, significantly improved neurite outgrowth from explants. Using (125)I- NT3, it was shown that low levels of NT3 passively diffused from Ppy/pTS/ NT3 during normal incubation and that electrical stimulation enhanced the release of biologically active NT3 in quantities adequate for neuron survival. Furthermore, Ppy/pTS/ NT3 and its constituents were not toxic to auditory neurons and the Ppy/pTS/ NT3 coating on gold electrodes did not alter impedance. If applied to the cochlear implant, Ppy/pTS/ NT3 will provide a biocompatible, low-impedance substrate for storage and release of NT3 to help protect auditory neurons from degradation after sensorineural hearing loss and encourage neurite outgrowth towards the electrodes.[1]

References

The effect of polypyrrole with incorporated neurotrophin-3 on the promotion of neurite outgrowth from auditory neurons. Richardson, R.T., Thompson, B., Moulton, S., Newbold, C., Lum, M.G., Cameron, A., Wallace, G., Kapsa, R., Clark, G., O'leary, S. Biomaterials (2007) [Pubmed]

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