The effect of controlled growth factor delivery on embryonic stem cell differentiation inside fibrin scaffolds
Date
2008-06-10
Authors
Willerth, Stephanie
Rader, Allison
Sakiyama-Elbert, Shelly E
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
The goal of this project is to develop 3-D biomaterial scaffolds that present cues to direct
differentiation of embryonic stem cell derived neural progenitor cells (ESNPCs) seeded inside into
mature neural phenotypes, specifically neurons and oligodendrocytes. Release studies were
performed to determine the appropriate conditions for retention of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), sonic
hedgehog (Shh), and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) by an affinity-based delivery system
(ABDS) incorporated into fibrin scaffolds. Embryoid bodies (EBs) containing neural progenitors
were formed from mouse ES cells, using a 4
−
/4+ retinoic acid treatment protocol, and then seeded
inside of fibrin scaffolds containing the drug delivery system. This delivery system was used to
deliver various growth factor doses and combinations to the cells seeded inside of the scaffolds.
Controlled delivery of NT-3 and PDGF simultaneously increased the fraction of neural progenitors,
neurons, and oligodendrocytes while decreasing the fraction of astrocytes obtained compared to
control cultures seeded inside of unmodified fibrin scaffolds with no growth factors present in the
media. These results demonstrate that such a strategy can be used to generate an engineered tissue
for the potential treatment of spinal cord injury and could be extended to study of differentiation in
other tissues.
Description
Keywords
murine embryonic stem cell, 3D culture, hydrogel, neural tissue engineering
Citation
Willerth, SM et al. The effect of controlled growth factor delivery on embryonic stem cell differentiation inside fibrin scaffolds Stem Cell Res 1(3): 205-218