Direct differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into selective neurons on nanoscale ridge/groove pattern arrays

Topography Design Concept of a Tissue Engineering Scaffold for Controlling Cell Function and Fate Through Actin Cytoskeletal Modulation

“…Concerning the neuronal lineage, it was demonstrated in human ES cells that the elongation of the cytoskeleton during changes in the cell morphology guided by ridge/ groove patterns results in a transfer of the tensional force to the nucleus, influencing gene expression and signal transduction in the absence of a differentiation-inducing reagent. 151 More sophisticated control of cell fate is achieved by finetuning of the balance between proliferation and differentiation. 132,152,153 A higher survival rate of human ES cells and human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in dissociated culture is the result of inhibition of ROCK-dependent 154,155 Furthermore, the degree of actin cytoskeletal tension mediated by ROCK plays a major role not only in directing stem cell differentiation to a specific cell type but also in retention of multipotency by stem cells (Table 1).…”

Mechanobiology of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

“…Lee et al seeded hESCs onto polyurethane acrylate groove/ridge-patterned arrays. 67 The grooves were 350 nm wide and deep, and the cells aligned with the grooves and adopted an elongated morphology after growing for 5 days. qRT-PCR revealed an increased expression of neuronal lineage marker genes, neurod1 and nestin, in these cells as compared to those grown on smooth glass slides (Fig.…”

“…Neuroepithelium markers are upregulated, while mesendodermal markers are downregulated, as compared to controls. Adapted with permission from Lee et al 67 Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/teb fibrils that hESCs aligned with during the culture. This experiment clearly suggested that the topographic cues of a scaffold play critical roles in inducing lineage-specific commitment of hESCs.…”

Directed Differentation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Combination of Biomaterials

“…After 4 weeks of cultivation, hESCderived MSCs were promising for chondrogenesis, particularly in the silk scaffolds with BMP6. The polyurethane acrylate (PUA), fabricated into nanoscale ridge/groove pattern arrays with its surface treated in oxygen plasma for 60s Results showed that after alone [49] can effectively and rapidly induce the differentiation of hESC into a neuronal lineage without the addition of any biochemical or biological agents. Future applications of those versatile scaffolds platform to human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells for functional tissue repair and regeneration will further expand its potential for regenerative therapies.…”