Regulation of morphogenesis and neural differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells using carbon nanotube sheets

Integr Biol (Camb). 2012 Jun;4(6):587-94. doi: 10.1039/c2ib20017a. Epub 2012 Apr 25.

Abstract

In order to successfully utilize stem cells for therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine, efficient differentiation into a specific cell lineage and guidance of axons in a desired direction is crucial. Here, we used aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) sheets to differentiate human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) into neural cells. Human MSCs present a preferential adhesion to aligned CNT sheets with longitudinal stretch parallel to the CNT orientation direction. Cell elongation was 2-fold higher than the control and most of the cells were aligned on CNT sheets within 5° from the CNT orientation direction. Furthermore, a significant, synergistic enhancement of neural differentiation was observed in hMSCs cultured on the CNT sheets. Axon outgrowth was also controlled using nanoscale patterning of CNTs. This CNT sheet provides a new cellular scaffold platform that can regulate morphogenesis and differentiation of stem cells, which could open up a new approach for tissue and stem cell regeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • GAP-43 Protein / genetics
  • GAP-43 Protein / physiology
  • Humans
  • Integrins / genetics
  • Integrins / physiology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / physiology
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Neurofilament Proteins / genetics
  • Neurofilament Proteins / physiology
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Neurons / ultrastructure
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / genetics
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger / chemistry
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tubulin / genetics
  • Tubulin / physiology

Substances

  • GAP-43 Protein
  • Integrins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tubulin
  • microtubule-associated protein 1B
  • neurofilament protein L
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase