NSCs Under Strain-Unraveling the Mechanoprotective Role of Differentiating Astrocytes in a Cyclically Stretched Coculture With Differentiating Neurons.

ABSTRACT: The neural stem cell (NSC) niche is a highly vascularized microenvironment that supplies stem cells with relevant biological and chemical cues. However, the NSCs' proximity to the vasculature also means that the NSCs are subjected to permanent tissue deformation effected by the vessels' heartbeat-induced pulsatile movements. Cultivating NSCs under common culture conditions neglects the-yet unknown-influence of this cyclic mechanical strain on neural stem cells. Under the hypothesis that pulsatile strain should affect essential NSC functions, a cyclic uniaxial strain was applied under biomimetic conditions using an in-house developed stretching system based on cross-linked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer. While lineage commitment remained unaffected by cyclic deformation, strain affec

SUBMITTER: Abraham JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8497758 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature