Neural stem cell differentiation in collagen scaffolds for retinal tissue engineering

Rat neural stem cells (NSCs) were cultured in monolayer or in porous collagen scaffolds and exposed to neurogenic or non-neurogenic medium to determine the effects on neural differentiation and neurite growth. Nestin, [beta]III-tubulin, and GFAP expression were determined using immunofluorescent techniques, and the neurite length was measured. NSCs differentiated into neurons, with actively growing neurites, and astrocytes when cultured in differentiation medium (DM) or neurogenic medium (NM). NSCs cultured in monolayer expressed more nestin and III-tubulin and had significantly longer neurite extensions than NSCs cultured in collagen scaffolds. Laminin coated scaffolds promoted the attachment of NSCs to the scaffold struts and resulted in a more even distribution of nestin and [beta]III-tubulin positive cells throughout the scaffold. Overall, NSCs cultured in DM for at least 14 days resulted in the most neuronal differentiation and neurite growth.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Ueda, Erica (Erica Ann)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Myron Spector.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/44853

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/44853