Surface modification of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) induced proliferation and neural-like cells differentiation of umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Stem cell-based therapy has recently emerged for use in novel therapeutics for incurable diseases. For successful recovery from neurologic diseases, the most pivotal factor is differentiation and directed neuronal cell growth. In this study, we fabricated three different widths of a micro-pattern on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS; 1, 2, and 4 mum). Surface modification of the PDMS was investigated for its capacity to manage proliferation and differentiation of neural-like cells from umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs). Among the micro-patterned PDMS fabrications, the 1 mum-patterned PDMS significantly increased cell proliferation and most of the cells differentiated into neuronal cells. In addition, the 1 mum-patterned PDMS induced an increase in cytosolic calcium, while the differentiated cells on the flat and 4 mum-patterned PDMS had no response. PDMS with a 1 mum pattern was also aligned to direct orientation within 10 degrees angles. Taken together, micro-patterned PDMS supported UCB-MSC proliferation and induced neural like-cell differentiation. Our data suggest that micro-patterned PDMS might be a guiding method for stem cell therapy that would improve its therapeutic action in neurological diseases.

Kim SJ, Lee JK, Kim JW, Jung JW, Seo K, Park SB, Roh KH, Lee SR, Hong YH, Kim SJ, Lee YS, Kim SJ, Kang KS.

Adult Stem Cell Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, 151-742, Seoul, Republic of Korea.