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Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in Self-Assembling Peptide Scaffolds

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Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy for Osteo-Degenerative Diseases

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 690))

Abstract

Here, we describe the capacity of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to differentiate into osteoblast-like cells in a three-dimensional (3D) self-assembling peptide scaffold, a synthetic nanofiber biomaterial with future applications in regenerative medicine. We have previously demonstrated that classical tissue cultures (two-dimensional) as well as 3D-systems promoted differentiation of mESCs into cells with an osteoblast-like phenotype expressing osteopontin (OPN) and collagen type I (Col I), as well as high alkaline phosphatase (Alk Phos) activity and calcium phosphate mineralization. Interestingly, in 3D self-assembling peptide scaffold cultures, the frequency of appearance of embryonic stem-cell-like colonies was substantially enhanced, suggesting that this particular 3D microenvironment promoted the generation of a stem-cell-like niche that allows the maintenance of a small pool of undifferentiated cells. We propose that the 3D system provides a unique microenvironment permissive to promote differentiation of mESCs into osteoblast-like cells while maintaining its regenerative capacity.

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Acknowledgments

NMB acknowledges financial support from DURSI (Generalitat de Catalunya) and the European Social Foundation (2006FI 00447). CES was supported by the Translational Centre for Regenerative Medicine (TRM), University of Leipzig, Germany, Award 1098 SF.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioengineering, Institut Químic de Sarrià Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain

    Núria Marí-Buyé & Carlos E. Semino

  2. Translational Centre for Regenerative Medicine (TRM), Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

    Núria Marí-Buyé & Carlos E. Semino

  3. Center for Biomedical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Carlos E. Semino

Authors
  1. Núria Marí-Buyé
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  2. Carlos E. Semino
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Cell Biology & Neuroscience, University of California at Riverside, University Ave. 900, Riverside, 92521, California, USA

    Nicole I. Nieden

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Marí-Buyé, N., Semino, C.E. (2011). Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in Self-Assembling Peptide Scaffolds. In: Nieden, N. (eds) Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy for Osteo-Degenerative Diseases. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 690. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-962-8_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-962-8_15

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-961-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-962-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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