Incorporating graphene oxide into biomimetic nano-microfibrous cellulose scaffolds for enhanced breast cancer cell behavior

Abstract The impact of graphene oxide (GO) on normal cells has been widely investigated. However, much less is known on its effect on cancer cells. Herein, GO nanosheets were incorporated into electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) microfibers. The GO-incorporated CA (GO/CA) microfibers were combined with bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers via in situ biosynthesis to obtain the nano-microfibrous scaffolds. The GO/CA–BC scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The GO/CA–BC scaffolds were used for breast cancer cell culture to evaluate the effect of GO on cancer cell behavior. Fluorescence images revealed large multicellular clusters on the surface of GO/CA–BC scaffolds. Compared to the bare CA–BC scaffold, the GO/CA–BC scaffolds not only showed enhanced mechanical properties but also improved cell proliferation. It is expected that the GO/CA–BC scaffolds would provide a suitable microenvironment for the culture of cancer cells which is necessary for drug screening and cell biology study. Graphic abstract