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Differentiation and behavior of human neural progenitors on micropatterned substrates and in the developing retina
Author(s) -
Blong Christopher C.,
Jeon ChangJin,
Yeo JiYoun,
Ye EunAh,
Oh Jisun,
Callahan John M.,
Law William D.,
Mallapragada Surya K.,
Sakaguchi Donald S.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.22324
Subject(s) - progenitor cell , neurosphere , microbiology and biotechnology , transplantation , neural stem cell , neurite , biology , population , stem cell , in vitro , adult stem cell , endothelial stem cell , biochemistry , medicine , surgery , environmental health
In this study we investigated the differentiation of human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) in vitro to evaluate their differentiation potential and in vivo to explore their viability and behavior following transplantation. Progenitors were maintained as neurospheres in media containing basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor. Micropatterned polystyrene substrates were fabricated and coated with ECL (entactin, collagen, and laminin) to provide physical and chemical guidance during the differentiation of the hNPCs. The hNPCs growing on the micropatterned substrates showed no differences in proliferation or differentiation potential compared with those hNPCs growing on the nonpatterned substrates. However, hNPCs cultured on the micropatterned substrates were aligned in the direction of the micropattern compared with those cells growing on the nonpatterned substrates. Furthermore, hNPC migration was directed in alignment with the micropatterned substrates. Transplantation of the hNPCs into the developing retina was used to evaluate their behavior in vivo. Cells displayed extensive survival, differentiation, and morphological integration following xenotransplant into the retina, even in the absence of immunosuppression. Taken together, our results show that these multipotent hNPCs are a neurogenic progenitor population that can be maintained in culture for extended periods. Although the micropatterned substrates have no major effect on the proliferation or differentiation of the hNPCs, they clearly promoted alignment and directed neurite outgrowth along the pattern as well as directing migration of the cells. These approaches may provide important strategies to guide the growth and differentiation of NPCs in vitro and in vivo. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.