title: Selective differentiation of neural progenitor cells by high-epitope density nanofibers.
abstract: Neural progenitor cells were encapsulated in vitro within a three-dimensional network of nanofibers formed by self-assembly of peptide amphiphile molecules. The self-assembly is triggered by mixing cell suspensions in media with dilute aqueous solutions of the molecules, and cells survive the growth of the nanofibers around them. These nanofibers were designed to present to cells the neurite-promoting laminin epitope IKVAV at nearly van der Waals density. Relative to laminin or soluble peptide, the artificial nanofiber scaffold induced very rapid differentiation of cells into neurons, while discouraging the development of astrocytes. This rapid selective differentiation is linked to the amplification of bioactive epitope presentation to cells by the nanofibers.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Bioengineering and Nanoscience in Advanced Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. gsilva@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Gabriel A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Czeisler
authors.forename: Krista L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Niece
authors.forename: Elia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beniash
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.forename: Samuel I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Stupp
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004058:Diffusion; D000939:Epitopes; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007797:Laminin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D036103:Nanotechnology; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D014404:Tubulin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D007797:Laminin; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D014404:Tubulin; C083321:isoleucyl-lysyl-valyl-alanyl-valine