The control of stem cells in the brain and spinal cord by extracellular nanomatrix system

Abstract

The control of cell proliferation, differentiation, propagation and reconstruction is a crucial factor for regenerative medicine. This is particularly the case in the central nervous system where neuronal cells are most resistant to re-growth. There is an ever demanding methodology for controlling the cells implanted in the injury sites of the CNS to avoid detrimental outcomes. We hypothesized that a nano environment of self-assembled nanofiber scaffold (SAPNS) made of natural amino acids could provide a favorable cell living condition which enables better control of stem cell activities. Groups of PC12 cells and neural precursor cells (NPCs) were grown in vitro in a nano environment of SAPNS under different controlled conditions; their physical activities and behavior were monitored and analyzed. We are able to show that altering 1) the cell density; 2) matrix density of SAPNS; and 3) the local nano environment surrounding the PC12 cells and NPCs, is likely to influence cell proliferation, elongation, differentiation and maturation in vitro.