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Updated: Mar 11, 2026
Cultivation of Human Neural Progenitor Cells in a 3-dimensional Self-assembling Peptide Hydrogel
Published on: January 11, 2012
Enhancement of Neural Stem Cell Survival, Proliferation, Migration, and Differentiation in a Novel Self-Assembly
Sajad Sahab Negah1,2,3, Zabihollah Khaksar1, Hadi Aligholi4
1Histology and Embryology Group, Basic Science Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
Abstract:
Considerable efforts have been made to combine biologically active molecules into the self-assembling peptide in order to improve cells growth, survival, and differentiation. In this study, a novel three-dimensional scaffold (RADA4GGSIKVAV; R-GSIK) was designed by adding glycine and serine between RADA4 and IKVAV to promote the strength of the peptide. The cell adhesion, viability, proliferation, migration, and differentiation of rat embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) in R-GSIK were investigated and compared to laminin-coated, two-dimensional, and Puramatrix cultures. The scanning electron microscopy studies of the R-GSIK showed an open porous structure and a suitable surface area available for cell interaction. R-GSIK promoted the cell adhesion, viability, proliferation, and migration compared to the other cultures. In addition, the R-GSIK enhanced NSCs differentiation into neuronal cells. The NSCs injected in R-GSIK had a lower glial differentiation rate than in the Puramatrix. The results suggest that R-GSIK holds great promise for cell therapies and neuronal tissue repair.
