title: Oriented growth and transdifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells towards a Schwann cell fate on micropatterned substrates.
abstract: While Schwann cells (SCs) have a significant role in peripheral nerve regeneration, their use in treatments has been limited because of lack of a readily available source. To address this issue, this study focused on the effect of guidance cues by employing micropatterned polymeric films to influence the alignment, morphology and transdifferentiation of bone marrow-derived rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) towards a Schwann cell-like fate. Two different types of polymers, biocompatible polystyrene (PS) and biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were used to fabricate patterned films. Percentages of transdifferentiated MSCs (tMSCs) immunolabeled with SC markers (α-S100β and α-p75(NTR)) were found to be similar on patterned versus smooth PS and PLA substrates. However, patterning had a significant effect on the alignment and elongation of the tMSCs. More than 80% of the tMSCs were oriented in the direction of microgrooves (0°-20°), while cells on the smooth substrates were randomly oriented. The aspect ratio [AR, ratio of length (in direction of microgrooves) and breadth (in direction perpendicular to microgrooves)] of the tMSCs on patterned substrates had a value of approximately five, as compared to cells on smooth substrates where the AR was one. Understanding responses to these cues in vitro helps us in understanding the behavior and interaction of the cells with the 3D environment of the scaffolds, facilitating the application of these concepts to designing effective nerve guidance conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Sweeney Hall, Ames, IA 50011, USA; Neuroscience Program, Iowa State University, Science II Building, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Anup D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Science II Building, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Svitlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zbarska
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Science II Building, Ames, IA 50011, USA; Biology Program, Iowa State University, Science II Building, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Emma M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Sweeney Hall, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Mustafa E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Marti
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Sweeney Hall, Ames, IA 50011, USA; Neuroscience Program, Iowa State University, Science II Building, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
authors.forename: Surya K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mallapragada
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Science II Building, Ames, IA 50011, USA; Biology Program, Iowa State University, Science II Building, Ames, IA 50011, USA; Neuroscience Program, Iowa State University, Science II Building, Ames, IA 50011, USA. Electronic address: dssakagu@iastate.edu.
authors.forename: Donald S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Sakaguchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002455:Cell Division; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011137:Polystyrenes; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)
keywords: Mesenchymal stem cells; Micropatterning; Polymeric films; Schwann cells; Transdifferentiation