Efficient myogenic commitment of human mesenchymal stem cells on biomimetic materials replicating myoblast topography

Recent developments in stem cell technologies have demonstrated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) as a possible cell source for cell-based therapies and regenerative medicine applications. Self-renewal and differentiation abilities of hMSCs have enabled hMSCs to be applied in regeneration of musculoskeletal tissue. hMSCs are able to myogenically differentiate via various approaches; however, the most efficient method has not been developed. Here, we describe the efficient commitment of hMSCs to the myogenic lineage on biomimetic substrates replicating myoblast topography. We have created a tissue culture platform that replicates the micro-and nanoscale topography of fully differentiated skeletal myoblasts. Using UV-assisted capillary force lithography, an optically transparent cellular model of fully differentiated myoblasts was developed using a UV curable poly(urethane acrylate) resin, which was fabricated and employed as a cell-culture substrate for the myogenic pattern of hMSCs. When hMSCs were cultured and differentiated on these biomimetic patterns, cells followed the underlying myoblast pattern and more efficiently committed to myogenic fate. These results demonstrate that myogenic potentials of hMSCs are highly depended on the micro- and nanoscale topographical cues. Furthermore, the described tissue culture platform can be used in larger culture settings with consistent results and easily applied to other lineage of hMSCs.