Abstract
We report a microfluidic array for investigating and quantitatively analyzing human neural stem cell (hNSC) self-renewal and differentiation in an invivo-like microenvironment. NSC niche conditions, including three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrices and low oxygen tension, were effectively reconstituted in the microfluidic array in a combinatorial manner. The array device was fabricated to be detachable, rendering it compatible with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for quantifying the effects of the biomimetic conditions on hNSC self-renewal and differentiation. We show that throughput of 3D cell culture and quantitative analysis can be increased. We also show that 3D hypoxic microenvironments maintain hNSC self-renewal capacity and direct neuronal commitment during hNSC differentiation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 6607-6614 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Biomaterials |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 28 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 Sep |
Keywords
- Differentiation
- Hypoxia
- Microfluidic array
- Neural stem cells
- Self-renewal
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Bioengineering
- Ceramics and Composites
- Biophysics
- Biomaterials
- Mechanics of Materials