Harnessing mechanobiology of human pluripotent stem cells for regenerative medicine

Recent advances in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) open new doors for therapeutics of motor neuron (MN)-associated neurodegenerative diseases. However, the MN differentiation process is not yet completely understood. In this Viewpoint, we stress the concept of designing synthetic cell culture surfaces with precisely controlled mechanical properties (such as rigidity) to improve the efficiency of MN differentiation from hPSCs. Emerging evidence strongly supports the potent role of mechanobiology in controlling stem cell fate. Leveraging the intrinsic mechanosensitive properties of hPSCs in conjunction with a synthetic elastomeric micropost array system, we have recently demonstrated significantly improved MN differentiation from hPSCs. Mechanotransduction mechanisms of hPSCs are an unexplored territory and likely involve coordination and cross-regulations of multiple targets and pathways including cell surface receptors, signaling transduction molecules, and nuclear proteins. We envision that research in hPSCs for MN degenerative diseases will benefit from accumulating knowledge of mechanobiology of hPSCs.