earticle

영어

Human neural stem cells (hNSCs) with the capacity of differentiating into transplantable neurons can provide a novel therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease and neuronal injury. Recent studies have demonstrated that mechanical and physical properties of the culture substrate including stiffness and surface roughness control hNSC differentiation. Particularly, the surface topography at nanoscale level may significantly affect hNSC differentiation. Here, we report the effect of nanotopographical stimulation on hNSC differentiation. The polyurethane acrylate (PUA) nanopatterned surface was grafted with titanium (Ti) for potential electrical stimulation by initiated chemical vapor deposition technique. Human NSCs cultured on Ti-coated PUA groove nanopatterned surface exhibited the morphology with alignment and elongation along with the axis of patterned surfaces, as indicated by F-actin cytoskeleton (phalloidin) staining. The hNSCs on Ti-coated PUA flat surfaces without nanopatterning did not exhibit such aligned and elongated cell morphology. More importantly, neuronal differentiation of hNSCs was significantly enhanced by culturing them onto the nanopatterned groove surface, compared to the flat surface, as confirmed by immunocytochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. In the future, we will consider electrical stimulation of Ti-grafted nanopatterned surface because electrical signals may further promote neuronal differentiation of hNSCs.