1. Systematic optimization of an engineered hydrogel allows for selective control of human neural stem cell survival and differentiation after transplantation in the stroke brain.
- Author
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Moshayedi P, Nih LR, Llorente IL, Berg AR, Cinkornpumin J, Lowry WE, Segura T, and Carmichael ST
- Subjects
- Animals, Brain surgery, Cell Differentiation, Cell Survival, Cells, Cultured, Guided Tissue Regeneration instrumentation, Humans, Hyaluronic Acid chemistry, Male, Materials Testing, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Stem Cell Transplantation instrumentation, Stem Cell Transplantation methods, Surface Properties, Tensile Strength, Treatment Outcome, Viscosity, Brain pathology, Hydrogels chemistry, Neural Stem Cells cytology, Neural Stem Cells transplantation, Stroke pathology, Stroke therapy, Tissue Scaffolds
- Abstract
Stem cell therapies have shown promise in promoting recovery in stroke but have been limited by poor cell survival and differentiation. We have developed a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based self-polymerizing hydrogel that serves as a platform for adhesion of structural motifs and a depot release for growth factors to promote transplant stem cell survival and differentiation. We took an iterative approach in optimizing the complex combination of mechanical, biochemical and biological properties of an HA cell scaffold. First, we optimized stiffness for a minimal reaction of adjacent brain to the transplant. Next hydrogel crosslinkers sensitive to matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) were incorporated as they promoted vascularization. Finally, candidate adhesion motifs and growth factors were systemically changed in vitro using a design of experiment approach to optimize stem cell survival or proliferation. The optimized HA hydrogel, tested in vivo, promoted survival of encapsulated human neural progenitor cells (iPS-NPCs) after transplantation into the stroke core and differentially tuned transplanted cell fate through the promotion of glial, neuronal or immature/progenitor states. This HA hydrogel can be tracked in vivo with MRI. A hydrogel can serve as a therapeutic adjunct in a stem cell therapy through selective control of stem cell survival and differentiation in vivo., (Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2016
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