Forever young: how to control the elongation, differentiation, and proliferation of cells using nanotechnology.
Within the emerging field of stem cells there is a need for an environment that can regulate cell activity, to slow down differentiation or proliferation, in vitro or in vivo while remaining invisible to the immune system. By creating a nanoenvironment surrounding PC12 cells, Schwann cells, and neural precursor cells (NPCs), we were able to control the proliferation, elongation, differentiation, and maturation in vitro. We extended the method, using self-assembling nanofiber scaffold (SAPNS), to living animals with implants in the brain and spinal cord. Here we show that when cells are placed in a defined system we can delay their proliferation, differentiation, and maturation depending on the density of the cell population, density of the matrix, and the local environment. A combination of SAPNS and young cells can be implanted into the central nervous system (CNS), eliminating the need for immunosuppressants.
Ellis-Behnke
R G
RG
Department of Anatomy, The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China. rutledge@hkucc.hku.hk
Liang
Y X
YX
Guo
J
J
Tay
D K C
DK
Schneider
G E
GE
Teather
L A
LA
Wu
W
W
So
K F
KF
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006224:Cricetinae; D008647:Mesocricetus; D057139:Nanofibers; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D016716:PC12 Cells / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D055647:Rats, Transgenic; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry