Combinatorial biophysical cue sensor array for controlling neural stem cell fate

Abstract

Biophysical cues, such as electrical stimulus, mechanical feature, and surface topography, enable the control of neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation and neurite outgrowth. However, the effect of these biophysical cues on NSC behavior has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we developed an innovative combinatorial biophysical cue sensor array combining a surface modified nanopillar array with conductive hydrogel micropatterns. The micro/nanopattern comprised silicon oxide-coated polyurethane nanopillar arrays on a flexible film and conductive hydrogel micropatterns including polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel, silver nanowires (AgNW), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model was used to optimize the design parameters of the nanopillar arrays. In the study, we successfully demonstrated that SiO2-coated nanopillar array enhanced the differentiation of NSCs and efficiently regulated neuronal behavior, such as neurite outgrowths, by conductive hydrogel micropatterns combined with electrical stimuli. Therefore, our innovative combinatorial biophysical cue sensor array to control NSC behavior via electrical stimuli can be potentially useful to study neurodegenerative and neurological disorder therapy applications.