Controlled Heterogeneous Stem Cell Differentiation on a Shape Memory Hydrogel Surface

Abstract

The success of stem cell therapies is highly dependent on the ability to control their programmed differentiation. So far, it is commonly believed that the differentiation behavior of stem cells is supposed to be identical when they are cultured on the same homogeneous platform. However, in this report, we show that this is not always true. By utilizing a double-ion-triggered shape memory effect, the pre-seeded hMSCs were controllably located in different growth positions. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the differentiation behavior of hMSCs is highly sensitive to their growth position on a hydrogel scaffold. This work will not only enrich the mechanisms for controlling the differentiation of stem cells, but also offer a one-of-a-kind platform to achieve a heterogeneously differentiated stem cell-seeded hydrogel scaffold for complex biological applications.

Hydrogen bonded and ionically crosslinked high strength hydrogels exhibiting Ca2+-triggered shape memory properties and volume shrinkage for cell detachment

“…17 These characteristic peaks suggest the formation of PVDT-PAA hydrogels via photo-polymerization. 17 These characteristic peaks suggest the formation of PVDT-PAA hydrogels via photo-polymerization.…”

“…14 The SM behavior originates from the high complexation ability of oxidized ferric ions with phosphate groups, which served as the reversible physical crosslinking that could firmly lock the temporary shape. 17 We demonstrated that the differentiation behavior of hMSCs was highly sensitive to their growth position on the hydrogel scaffold. 3 In developing new shape memory hydrogels, it is of great importance to explore SM hydrogels in biomedical applications.…”

Non-covalent interaction cooperatively induced stretchy, tough and stimuli-responsive polyurethane–urea supramolecular (PUUS) hydrogels

“…Although, shape-memory polymers (SMPs) have been widely studied and expected to hold great potential applications, [41][42][43] few SMPs can really be used in living biological systems, because the external stimulus may damage surrounding tissues and cells. Besides the above mentioned excellent mechanical performance, another intriguing character of the present PUUS materials is their water-responsive shape-memory behaviours.…”

Hydrogen-Bonding Toughened Hydrogels and Emerging CO2 -Responsive Shape Memory Effect

“…Moreover, owing to the reversible physical crosslinking from DAT-DAT H-bonding or CN-CN dipole-dipole interaction, the PVDTbased and DDR hydrogels demonstrated stimuli-responsiveness and shape memory behaviors in response to the variation in pH, [ 8 ] reductive medium, [ 24 ] and concentration of metal ion. [ 21,22,25 ] Also, by copolymerizing N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) or spiropyran monomer, these PVDT-based hydrogels were capable of responding to the thermal stimulus or light stimulus, respectively, without worsening their high strengths. [ 18,26,27 ] Nonetheless, these hydrogels were poor in dissipating external energy, and in particular sensitive to the notches preformed.…”

“…[14][15][16] Recently, we designed and constructed high strength stimuli-responsive hydrogels based on strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding of diaminotriazine (DAT) residues in poly(vinyl diaminotriazine) (PVDT) [ 8,[17][18][19][20] and CN-CN dipole-dipole reinforcement (DDR) in polyacrylonitrile. [21][22][23] These hydrogels turned out to exhibit high A double hydrogen bonding (DHB) hydrogel is constructed by copolymerization of 2-vinyl-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine (hydrophobic hydrogen bonding monomer) and N , N -dimethylacrylamide (hydrophilic hydrogen bonding monomer) with polyethylene glycol diacrylates. The DHB hydrogels demonstrate tunable robust mechanical properties by varying the ratio of hydrogen bonding monomer or crosslinker.…”