Super-aligned carbon nanotubes and GelMA hydrogel composite scaffolds promote spiral ganglion neuron growth and orientation

Sensorineural hearing loss caused by the damage and degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) is a common disease. So, the regeneration and directional growth of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) is vital for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss. In this study, we combined methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) hydrogel and super-aligned carbon nanotubes sheets (SACNTs) to form a composite material (GelMA-SACNT) that combined the good biocompatibility of GelMA hydrogel with the conductivity of carbon nanotubes. The prepared composite material retained the topological structure of SACNTs and thus provided a suitable platform for neural cell culture. SGNs grown on GelMA-SACNT showed well orientation, increased length of neurites and filopodia and increased area of the axon growth cone. Furthermore, neural network activity on the GelMA-SACNT was increased. These results clearly show that the prepared GelMA-SACNT can promote the growth of SGNs and the formation of anisotropic neural networks and thus has potential for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss.