title: Hydrogel formulation determines cell fate of fetal and adult neural progenitor cells.
abstract: Hydrogels provide a unique tool for neural tissue engineering. These materials can be customized for certain functions, i.e. to provide cell/drug delivery or act as a physical scaffold. Unfortunately, hydrogel complexities can negatively impact their biocompatibility, resulting in unintended consequences. These adverse effects may be combated with a better understanding of hydrogel chemical, physical, and mechanical properties, and how these properties affect encapsulated neural cells. We defined the polymerization and degradation rates and compressive moduli of 25 hydrogels formulated from different concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Changes in compressive modulus were driven primarily by the HA concentration. The in vitro biocompatibility of fetal-derived (fNPC) and adult-derived (aNPC) neural progenitor cells was dependent on hydrogel formulation. Acute survival of fNPC benefited from hydrogel encapsulation. NPC differentiation was divergent: fNPC differentiated into mostly glial cells, compared with neuronal differentiation of aNPC. Differentiation was influenced in part by the hydrogel mechanical properties. This study indicates that there can be a wide range of HA and PEG hydrogels compatible with NPC. Additionally, this is the first study comparing hydrogel encapsulation of NPC derived from different aged sources, with data suggesting that fNPC and aNPC respond dissimilarly within the same hydrogel formulation.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8313, 12800 E. 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address: Emily.Aurand@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Emily R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Aurand
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8607, 12700 E. 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address: Jennifer.Wagner@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8607, 12700 E. 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address: Robin.Shandas@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shandas
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8313, 12800 E. 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8313, 12800 E. 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address: Kimberly.Bjugstad@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Kimberly B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Bjugstad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D005260:Female; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid