title: Combining topographical and genetic cues to promote neuronal fate specification in stem cells.
abstract: There is little remedy for the devastating effects resulting from neuronal loss caused by neural injury or neurodegenerative disease. Reconstruction of damaged neural circuitry with stem cell-derived neurons is a promising approach to repair these defects, but controlling differentiation and guiding synaptic integration with existing neurons remain significant unmet challenges. Biomaterial surfaces can present nanoscale topographical cues that influence neuronal differentiation and process outgrowth. By combining these scaffolds with additional molecular biology strategies, synergistic control over cell fate can be achieved. Here, we review recent progress in promoting neuronal fate using techniques at the interface of biomaterial science and genetic engineering. New data demonstrates that combining nanofiber topography with an induced genetic program enhances neuritogenesis in a synergistic fashion. We propose combining patterned biomaterial surface cues with prescribed genetic programs to achieve neuronal cell fates with the desired sublineage specification, neurochemical profile, targeted integration, and electrophysiological properties.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, 5323A Med Sci I, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Erin K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Purcell
authors.forename: Youssef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Naim
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Michelle K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: J Matthew
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Velkey
authors.forename: R Keith
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Corey
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D019070:Cell Lineage; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000235:genetics*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D055495:Neurogenesis; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials