Three‐Dimensional Laminin Mimetic Peptide Nanofiber Gels for In Vitro Neural Differentiation

Abstract

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides biochemical signals and structural support for cells, and its functional imitation is a fundamental aspect of biomaterial design for regenerative medicine applications. The stimulation of neural differentiation by a laminin protein-derived epitope in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) environments is investigated. The 3D gel system is found to be superior to its 2D counterpart for the induction of neural differentiation, even in the absence of a crucial biological inducer in nerve growth factor (NGF). In addition, cells cultured in 3D gels exhibits a spherical morphology that is consistent with their form under in vivo conditions. Overall, the present study underlines the impact of bioactivity, dimension, and NGF addition, as well as the cooperative effects thereof, on the neural differentiation of PC-12 cells. These results underline the significance of 3D culture systems in the development of scaffolds that closely replicate in vivo environments for the formation of cellular organoid models in vitro.

Neuroactive Peptide Nanofibers for Regeneration of Spinal Cord after Injury

“…Characterization and purification of the PAs was performed as previously described. [ 18 ] Briefly, mass spectrum was obtained with Agilent LC‐MS equipped with Agilent 6530 Q‐TOF with an ESI source and Zorbax Extend‐C18 2.1 × 50 mm column for basic conditions and Zorbax SB‐C8 4.6 × 100 mm column for acidic conditions. Peptide purification was carried out with an Agilent preparative reverse‐phase HPLC system equipped with a Zorbax Extend‐C18 21.2 × 150 mm column for basic conditions and with a Zorbax SB‐C8 21.2 × 150 mm column for acidic conditions.…”

“…Recently, self‐assembled peptide amphiphile (PA) nanofibers have demonstrated promising results for in vitro neural differentiation and in vivo neural regeneration, [ 18–22 ] demonstrating the possibility of the use of these materials for the effective treatment of central nervous system (CNS) injuries. PAs are a class of molecules that have great potential to mimic the regulatory characteristics of natural environment of the cells for biological studies as well as therapeutic applications.…”

AFOB Special Issue on Stem Cells in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

“…[6] Two papers focus on the differentiation induction to neural cells using a medium containing small molecule inhibitors and growth factors, [9] and hydrogels. [10] Other two papers deal with the differentiation to chondrocytes using electrospun fibers [11] and poly(vinylalcohol)-based membrane immobilizing peptide ligands. [12] One interesting work is an application of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of abdominal defects.…”

“…In the study of using 3D ceramic scaffolds, Hoch et al propose the integration of scaffolds in perfusion bioreactors for the expansion of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells . Two papers focus on the differentiation induction to neural cells using a medium containing small molecule inhibitors and growth factors, and hydrogels . Other two papers deal with the differentiation to chondrocytes using electrospun fibers and poly(vinylalcohol)‐based membrane immobilizing peptide ligands .…”

Tenascin-C derived signaling induces neuronal differentiation in a three-dimensional peptide nanofiber gel

“…[3][4][5] Therefore, the use of synthetic biomaterials has significant potential for the development of an easy-to-use ECM-like environment and modifiable 3D culture systems. 6 Bioactive nanomaterials are particularly promising for the induction of neural differentiation and regeneration of nervous tissue, as they are able to provide biological, chemical and physical guidance to cells. 7,8 The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the non-cellular material that surrounds cells in tissue microenvironments and contains a wide range of proteins, proteoglycans, polysaccharides and signaling molecules, as well as water.…”