Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells [hESCs] are able to differentiate into specific lineages corresponding to regulated spatial and temporal signals. This unique attribute holds great promise for regenerative medicine and cell-based therapy for many human diseases such as spinal cord injury [SCI] and multiple sclerosis [MS]. Carbon nanotubes [CNTs] have been successfully used to promote neuronal differentiation, and silk has been widely applied in tissue engineering. This study aims to build silk-CNT composite scaffolds for improved neuron differentiation efficiency from hESCs.Two neuronal markers (β-III tubulin and nestin) were utilized to determine the hESC neuronal lineage differentiation. In addition, axonal lengths were measured to evaluate the progress of neuronal development. The results demonstrated that cells on silk-CNT scaffolds have a higher β-III tubulin and nestin expression, suggesting augmented neuronal differentiation. In addition, longer axons with higher density were found to associate with silk-CNT scaffolds.Our silk-CNT-based composite scaffolds can promote neuronal differentiation of hESCs. The silk-CNT composite scaffolds developed here can serve as efficient supporting matrices for stem cell-derived neuronal transplants, offering a promising opportunity for nerve repair treatments for SCI and MS patients.
Highlights
There are about 250,000 to 400,000 patients in the US suffering from spinal cord injury [SCI] [1], usually due to trauma or traffic accidents, which could lead to death or life-long paralysis
This study aims to combine the unique advantages of these two biocompatible materials to build silk-CNT scaffolds in order to acquire sufficient neuronal differentiation efficiency from hESCs for effective neuronal cell transplantation
Flexible silk-CNT scaffold The MWCNT solution exhibits a homogeneous distribution in 2 wt.% of silk fibroin solution (Figure 1a)
Summary
There are about 250,000 to 400,000 patients in the US suffering from spinal cord injury [SCI] [1], usually due to trauma or traffic accidents, which could lead to death or life-long paralysis. There is no effective cure for SCI or MS since adult humans do not fully regenerate their damaged neurons and axons. The inability for the body to regenerate and re-innervate target neuronal axons greatly limits therapy feasibility [1,2]. The unique abilities of human embryonic stem cells [hESCs] - namely, their self-renewal and potency - hold great promise for regenerative medicine. For SCI and MS patients, the capacity of hESCs to differentiate into specific neuronal study, we aimed to integrate natural silk fibroin protein with synthetic carbon nanotubes [CNTs] to construct scaffolds for neuronal developments
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