MXene‐Based Conductive Micropatterned Composites Promote Myogenic Differentiation of Muscle Cells

Traumatic injuries resulting in significant loss of tissue mass are generally associated with neuromuscular problems and cosmetic defects. The fast‐developing field of tissue engineering is expected to solve this medical problem by providing multifunctional biomaterials which can synergically deliver different pro‐regenerative signals, leading to functional and structural reconnection of the impaired tissue. Here, we have developed novel micropatterned and conductive MXene/PLA blends, combining in the same material the high electrical conductivity of the MXene phase, the topotactic guidance provided by micropatterns, and the biodegradability of the FDA‐approved polyester matrix. Blends with different MXene/PLA ratios have been prepared and characterized by means of XRD, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, SEM‐EDS, contact angle, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. Then, micropatterned MXene/PLA films featuring 100 to 300 µm‐sized grooves were fabricated by soft‐lithography. Biological tests using C2C12 myoblasts demonstrated that MXene/PLA micropatterns effectively allow the growth of C2C12 myoblasts along the microchannels. This spatial organization enhances cell–cell interactions and promotes myogenic differentiation. Real‐time PCR suggested preliminary differentiation of C2C12 cultured for 7 days on micropatterned blends when seeded at higher density, even in the absence of a myogenic differentiation cell culture medium. These results highlight the potential of novel conductive MXene/PLA micropatterns for applications in muscle tissue engineering.