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Microprinted Stem Cell Niches Reveal Compounding Effect of Colony Size on Stromal Cells‐Mediated Neural Differentiation
Author(s) -
Joshi Ramila,
Thakuri Pradip Shahi,
Buchanan James C.,
Li Jun,
Tavana Hossein
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced healthcare materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.288
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 2192-2659
pISSN - 2192-2640
DOI - 10.1002/adhm.201700832
Subject(s) - embryonic stem cell , stromal cell , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , cellular differentiation , neural cell , neural stem cell , neurite , cell , stem cell , chemistry , gene , genetics , in vitro , cancer research
Microenvironmental factors have a major impact on differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Here, a novel phenomenon that size of ESC colonies has a significant regulatory role on stromal cells induced differentiation of ESCs to neural cells is reported. Using a robotic cell microprinting technology, defined densities of ESCs are confined within aqueous nanodrops over a layer of supporting stromal cells immersed in a second, immiscible aqueous phase to generate ESC colonies of defined sizes. Temporal protein and gene expression studies demonstrate that larger ESC colonies generate disproportionally more neural cells and longer neurite processes. Unlike previous studies that attribute neural differentiation of ESCs solely to interactions with stromal cells, it is found that increased intercellular signaling of ESCs significantly enhances neural differentiation. This study offers an approach to generate neural cells with improved efficiency for potential use in translational research.