A combinatorial cell-laden gel microarray for inducing osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

ABSTRACT: Development of three dimensional (3D) microenvironments that direct stem cell differentiation into functional cell types remains a major challenge in the field of regenerative medicine. Here, we describe a new platform to address this challenge by utilizing a robotic microarray spotter for testing stem cell fates inside various miniaturized cell-laden gels in a systematic manner. To demonstrate the feasibility of our platform, we evaluated the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) within combinatorial 3D niches. We were able to identify specific combinations, that enhanced the expression of osteogenic markers. Notably, these 'hit' combinations directed hMSCs to form mineralized tissue when conditions were translated to 3D macroscale hydrogels, indicating that t

SUBMITTER: Dolatshahi-Pirouz A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3905276 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature