PVDF Nanofiber Scaffold Coated with a Vitronectin Peptide Facilitates the Neural Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Abstract

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a stable and biocompatible material that has been broadly used in biomedical applications. Due to its piezoelectric property, the electrospun nanofiber of PVDF has been used to culture electroactive cells, such as osteocytes and cardiomyocytes. Here, taking advantage of the piezoelectric property of PVDF, we have fabricated a PVDF nanofiber scaffolds using an electrospinning technique for differentiating human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into neural precursors (NPs). Surface coating with a peptide derived from vitronectin enables hESCs to firmly adhere onto the nanofiber scaffolds and differentiate into NPs under dual-SMAD inhibition. Our nanofiber scaffolds supported the differentiation of hESCs into SOX1-positive NPs more significantly than Matrigel. The NPs generated on the nanofiber scaffolds could give rise to neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocyte precursors. Furthermore, comparative transcriptome analysis revealed the variable expressions of 27 genes in the nanofiber scaffold groups, several of which are highly related to the biological processes required for neural differentiation. These results suggest that a PVDF nanofiber scaffold coated with a vitronectin peptide can serve as a highly efficient and defined culture platform for the neural differentiation of hESCs.

Role of Vitronectin and Its Receptors in Neuronal Function and Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…( Figure 1 ). For example, VTN was demonstrated to promote the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells [ 14 ], oligodendrocytes [ 15 ] and mouse cerebellar granule cell precursors [ 16 ]. Moreover, VTN with αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins is involved in the morphological transition of neurites in the neurogenesis of neuroblastoma cell line neuro2a [ 17 ].…”

“…The differentiation of motoneurons is enhanced by the synergistic interaction of N-SHH and VTN, and VTN may be required for the correct presentation of morphogen N-SHH to one of its target cells to differentiate motoneurons. In vitro, PVDF nanofiber scaffolds coated with VTN can promote neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells [ 14 ].…”

Advances in applications of piezoelectronic electrons in cell regulation and tissue regeneration

“…When in nanofiber scaffold groups, these genes were specifically downregulated. 91 FGF signaling is essential for neural induction in vertebrate development. 92 On a PVDF nanofiber scaffold (fiber diameters of 200 nm), it is the upregulation of FGFBP3 (a positive regulator of the FGF signal) that might be one of the key factors to improve the efficiency of neural differentiation.…”

“…Nuria Royo-Gascon et al 143 tested the effects of PVDF on the growth of spinal cord neurons of rats and demonstrated that piezoelectric polymer substrates generate oscillating EF, which induce plastic changes in neurons of the central nervous system. In order to make human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiate into neural precursors, Byeong-Min Jeon et al 91 fabricated PVDF nanofiber scaffolds, whose surfaces were coated with a peptide derived from vitronectin (Fig. 6(a)).…”

Erratum to : PVDF Nanofiber Scaffold Coated with a Vitronectin Peptide Facilitates the Neural Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

“…The article “PVDF Nanofiber Scaffold Coated with a Vitronectin Peptide Facilitates the Neural Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells” by Jeon et al Dev Reprod (2020) 24(2), 135-147 contains a few minor errors.…”