Enhancing osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells by nanofibers

Laura A. Smith, Xiaohua Liu, Jiang Hu, Peng Wang, Peter X. Ma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

99 Scopus citations

Abstract

Controlled differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESC) is necessary to their use as a cell source for tissue engineering or regeneration. To date, most studies have concentrated on chemical cues to direct ESC differentiation. However, during normal embryonic development, multiple factors beyond chemical cues play a role, including the extracellular matrix (ECM) in bone development. In this study, we use nanofibrous (NF) matrices to mimic the morphology of the ECM to examine the contribution of the ECM morphology to the differentiation of mouse ESC. After 12h of differentiation culture, mouse ESC form protrusions interacting with NF matrices, while they appear not to interact with flat films. Immunofluorescence staining after 26 days of differentiation culture indicates a greater degree of differentiation for mouse ESC on NF matrices compared to flat films. Polymerase chain reaction results, also, show greater degree of osteogenic differentiation on NF matrices compared to flat films when osteogenic supplements are added to the culture. Overall, these results demonstrate that NF morphology contributes to the controlled differentiation of mouse ESC.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1855-1864
Number of pages10
JournalTissue Engineering - Part A
Volume15
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2009
Externally publishedYes

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