posted on 2017-10-31, 00:00authored bySayaka Tachizawa, Haruko Takahashi, Young-Jin Kim, Aoi Odawara, Joris Pauty, Yoshiho Ikeuchi, Ikuro Suzuki, Akihiko Kikuchi, Yukiko T. Matsunaga
As
scaffolds for neuron cell guiding in vitro, gel fibers with a bundle
structure, comprising multiple microfibrils, were fabricated using
a microfluidic device system by casting a phase-separating polymer
blend solution comprising hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and sodium
alginate (Na-Alg). The topology and stiffness of the obtained bundle
gel fibers depended on their microstructure derived by the polymer
blend ratio of HPC and Na-Alg. High concentrations of Na-Alg led to
the formation of small microfibrils in a one-bundle gel fiber and
stiff characteristics. These bundle gel fibers permitted for the elongation
of the neuron cells along their axon orientation with the long axis
of fibers. In addition, human-induced pluripotent-stem-cell-derived
dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells were differentiated into neuronal
cells on the bundle gels. The bundle gel fibers demonstrated an enormous
potential as cell culture scaffold materials with an optimal microenvironment
for guiding neuron cells.