Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation in specific cell lineage is a major issue in cell biology particularly in regenerative medicine. Differentiation is usually achieved by using biochemical factors which concentration and mechanism are not completely understood and with sides effects difficult to overcome. Using a substrate which mimics brain extracellular matrix it could be possible to induce ES-cells differentiation into neurons without adding any biochemical factors. Therefore, we produced patterns in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) consisting of groove and pillar arrays of sub-micrometric lateral resolution as substrates for cell cultures. Neuronal precursors from ES cells were obtained using a Stromal Cell-Derived Inducing Activity protocol and we analyzed the effect of different nanostructures on differentiation into neuronal lineage. Neuronal precursors adhered on PDMS more effectively than on glass coverslips. After 48 hours of culture on PDMS pillars with a 500nm period, neuronal differentiation increased and almost doubled with respect to flat PDMS substrates. Neuronal yield was enhanced by increasing pillars height from 35 to 400 nm. With pillars, 500nm period and 360nm height, the neuronal yield reached ∼80% 96 hours after plating. However the largest differentiation enhancement of pillars over flat PDMS was observed during the first 6 hours of culture. These shown results that PDMS nanopillars accelerate ES cells differentiation into neurons.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
