Differentiation and behavior of human neural progenitors on micropatterned substrates and in the developing retina.
In this study we investigated the differentiation of human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) in vitro to evaluate their differentiation potential and in vivo to explore their viability and behavior following transplantation. Progenitors were maintained as neurospheres in media containing basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor. Micropatterned polystyrene substrates were fabricated and coated with ECL (entactin, collagen, and laminin) to provide physical and chemical guidance during the differentiation of the hNPCs. The hNPCs growing on the micropatterned substrates showed no differences in proliferation or differentiation potential compared with those hNPCs growing on the nonpatterned substrates. However, hNPCs cultured on the micropatterned substrates were aligned in the direction of the micropattern compared with those cells growing on the nonpatterned substrates. Furthermore, hNPC migration was directed in alignment with the micropatterned substrates. Transplantation of the hNPCs into the developing retina was used to evaluate their behavior in vivo. Cells displayed extensive survival, differentiation, and morphological integration following xenotransplant into the retina, even in the absence of immunosuppression. Taken together, our results show that these multipotent hNPCs are a neurogenic progenitor population that can be maintained in culture for extended periods. Although the micropatterned substrates have no major effect on the proliferation or differentiation of the hNPCs, they clearly promoted alignment and directed neurite outgrowth along the pattern as well as directing migration of the cells. These approaches may provide important strategies to guide the growth and differentiation of NPCs in vitro and in vivo.
Blong
Christopher C
CC
Neuroscience Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
Jeon
Chang-Jin
CJ
Yeo
Ji-Youn
JY
Ye
Eun-Ah
EA
Oh
Jisun
J
Callahan
John M
JM
Law
William D
WD
Mallapragada
Surya K
SK
Sakaguchi
Donald S
DS
D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007797:Laminin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000601:surgery; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D003470:Culture Media; D007797:Laminin; D011137:Polystyrenes; D003094:Collagen