Nanocomposites Based on PLLA and Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes Support the Myogenic Differentiation of Murine Myoblast Cell Line

Abstract

We explored the effect of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) containing various percentages (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 3 wt.%) of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the myogenic differentiation of C2C12 murine myoblast progenitor cells. We showed that all PLLA/MWCNTs nanocomposite materials support the myotubes formation more efficiently than neat PLLA as indicated by the high expression of the most significant myogenic markers: MyoD, Myosin Heavy Chain, dimension of myofibres, and fusion myogenic index. Interestingly, we note that both MyoD and myogenic fusion index levels were in the order 0.1 MWCNTs = 0.5 MWCNTs > 1 MWCNTs > 3 MWCNTs > neat PLLA, suggesting that the amount of MWCNTs influenced the cell differentiation.