title: Adapting collagen/CNT matrix in directing hESC differentiation.
abstract: The lineage selection in human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation relies on both the growth factors and small molecules in the media and the physical characteristics of the micro-environment. In this work, we utilized various materials, including the collagen-carbon nanotube (collagen/CNT) composite material, as cell culture matrices to examine the impact of matrix properties on hESC differentiation. Our AFM analysis indicated that the collagen/CNT formed rigid fibril bundles, which polarized the growth and differentiation of hESCs, resulting in more than 90% of the cells to the ectodermal lineage in Day 3 in the media commonly used for spontaneous differentiation. We also observed the differentiated cells followed the coarse alignment of the collagen/CNT matrix. The research not only revealed the responsiveness of hESCs to matrix properties, but also provided a simple yet efficient way to direct the hESC differentiation, and imposed the potential of forming neural-cell based bio-devices for further applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, 60616, USA.
authors.forename: Indumathi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sridharan
authors.forename: Taeyoung
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon