Bifunctional Hydrogels Containing the Laminin Motif IKVAV Promote Neurogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Engineering of biomaterials with specific biological properties has gained momentum as a means to control stem cell behavior. Here, we address the effect of bifunctionalized hydrogels comprising polylysine (PL) and a 19-mer peptide containing the laminin motif IKVAV (IKVAV) on embryonic and adult neuronal progenitor cells under different stiffness regimes. Neuronal differentiation of embryonic and adult neural progenitors was accelerated by adjusting the gel stiffness to 2 kPa and 20 kPa, respectively. While gels containing IKVAV or PL alone failed to support long-term cell adhesion, in bifunctional gels, IKVAV synergized with PL to promote differentiation and formation of focal adhesions containing β₁-integrin in embryonic cortical neurons. Furthermore, in adult neural stem cel

SUBMITTER: Farrukh A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5829305 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature