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Rotary orbital suspension culture of embryonic stem cell‐derived neural stem/progenitor cells: impact of hydrodynamic culture on aggregate yield, morphology and cell phenotype
Author(s) -
Laundos Tiago L.,
Silva Joana,
Assunção Marisa,
Quelhas Pedro,
Monteiro Cátia,
Oliveira Carla,
Oliveira Maria J.,
Pêgo Ana P.,
Amaral Isabel F.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.835
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-7005
pISSN - 1932-6254
DOI - 10.1002/term.2121
Subject(s) - embryonic stem cell , stem cell , progenitor cell , suspension culture , morphology (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , cell culture , neural stem cell , phenotype , biology , genetics , gene
Embryonic stem (ES)‐derived neural stem/progenitor cells (ES‐NSPCs) constitute a promising cell source for application in cell therapies for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. In this study, a rotary orbital hydrodynamic culture system was applied to single‐cell suspensions of ES‐NSPCs, to obtain homogeneously‐sized ES‐NSPC cellular aggregates (neurospheres). Hydrodynamic culture allowed the formation of ES‐NSPC neurospheres with a narrower size distribution than statically cultured neurospheres, increasing orbital speeds leading to smaller‐sized neurospheres and higher neurosphere yield. Neurospheres formed under hydrodynamic conditions (72 h at 55 rpm) showed higher cell compaction and comparable percentages of viable, dead, apoptotic and proliferative cells. Further characterization of cellular aggregates provided new insights into the effect of hydrodynamic shear on ES‐NSPC behaviour. Rotary neurospheres exhibited reduced protein levels of N‐cadherin and β ‐catenin, and higher deposition of laminin (without impacting fibronectin deposition), matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) activity and percentage of neuronal cells. In line with the increased MMP‐2 activity levels found, hydrodynamically‐cultured neurospheres showed higher outward migration on laminin. Moreover, when cultured in a 3D fibrin hydrogel, rotary neurospheres generated an increased percentage of neuronal cells. In conclusion, the application of a constant orbital speed to single‐cell suspensions of ES‐NSPCs, besides allowing the formation of homogeneously‐sized neurospheres, promoted ES‐NSPC differentiation and outward migration, possibly by influencing the expression of cell–cell adhesion molecules and the secretion of proteases/extracellular matrix proteins. These findings are important when establishing the culture conditions needed to obtain uniformly‐sized ES‐NSPC aggregates, either for use in regenerative therapies or in in vitro platforms for biomaterial development or pharmacological screening. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.