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Gold Nanowires/Fibrin Nanostructure as Microfluidics Platforms for Enhancing Stem Cell Differentiation: Bio-AFM Study
Hadi Hashemzadeh1, Abdollah Allahverdi2, Mohammad Ghorbani2
1Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-154, Iran.
Micromachines
|January 8, 2020
Summary
This study introduces gold nanowires in hydrogels to enhance stem cell differentiation in organ-on-a-chip systems. The nanostructured materials promote human amniotic mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into bone and cartilage lineages.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Stem Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Organ-on-a-chip technology precisely controls cellular microenvironments but underexplores cell-matrix interactions.
- Stem cell fate is influenced by matrix elasticity and nanotopography, yet these factors are under-optimized in microphysiological systems.
- Current hydrogel choices for stem cell cultures in chips offer limited elasticity options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of matrix elasticity and nanotopography on stem cell differentiation within microfluidic devices.
- To develop a tunable biointerface using gold nanowires integrated into hydrogels for organ-on-a-chip applications.
- To assess the osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potential of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) on nanostructured hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of gold nanowire-loaded fibrin hydrogels' matrix elasticity and nanotopography using bio-atomic force microscopy (bio-AFM).
- Cultivation of hAMSCs within microfluidic devices featuring the functionalized hydrogels.
- Assessment of stem cell differentiation via analysis of Collagen I and II production, calcium mineralization, and proteoglycans formation.
Main Results:
- Gold nanowire-functionalized hydrogels significantly promoted hAMSC differentiation into osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages.
- Increased production of Collagen I and II was observed in cells cultured on nanostructured hydrogels.
- Enhanced calcium mineralization and proteoglycans formation indicated successful differentiation after two weeks of cultivation in microfluidic devices.
Conclusions:
- Integrating gold nanowires into hydrogels creates a tunable biointerface that effectively guides stem cell differentiation.
- This approach offers a promising strategy for improving cell-matrix interactions and enhancing stem cell-based applications in organ-on-a-chip systems.
- Nanostructured hydrogels show potential for advancing regenerative medicine and disease modeling using microphysiological systems.
