Exploring the Role of PEDOT Electrodes in Electrostimulation of vascular endothelial cells

The potential of electrical stimulation for cell control in tissue engineering remains largely underestimated, as does the use of organic semiconductors. The tunable physico-chemical properties of organic semiconductors offer advantages over commonly used inert metals. This study investigates the effects of pulsed electrostimulation and electrode materials, gold and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), on the physiological functionality of human vascular endothelial cells. A novel electrostimulation platform incorporating gold or PEDOT electrodes was developed and characterized for electrical performance. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured on this platform, and the effects of electrostimulation and electrode material were assessed through morphological analysis, nitric oxide (NO) production, and expression of key endothelial marker genes. PEDOT electrodes produced higher electrical current during electrostimulation. Interestingly, cell morphology, including elongation and alignment, showed minimal changes under electrostimulation. NO production, a key marker of vascular health, was enhanced by electrostimulation, with PEDOT electrodes showing a trend toward greater NO accumulation than gold. Gene expression analysis revealed material- and stimulation-specific trends: electrostimulation generally upregulated KLF2, KLF4, and CYP1B1 on PEDOT electrodes but suppressed their expression on gold electrodes. These findings suggest that PEDOT electrodes, with their enhanced electrochemical properties and ability to support endothelial functionality, provide a safe and efficient platform for endothelial cell electrostimulation. This study advances understanding of the interplay between material properties and electrostimulation and highlights PEDOT as a promising candidate for vascular tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.