Neural differentiation from pluripotent stem cells: The role of natural and synthetic extracellular matrix

Table 4 Three-dimensional natural and synthetic extracellular matrices scaffolds for neural differentiation of pluripotent stem cells

Scaffolds	Cell source	Neural differentiation	Ref.
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and poly(L- lactic acid) scaffolds	hESC	Enhanced numbers of neural structures and staining of nestin and β-tubulin III were observed	Levenberg et al[74], 2005
Synthetic hydrogel matrix PuraMatrix	hESC-derived neuronal cells	HESC-derived neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes grew, matured and migrated in hydrogel; neuronal cells had electrically active connections.	Ylä-Outinen et al[76], 2012
Poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate) scaffolds	Mouse iPSCs	Improved iPSCs to differentiate into neurons and inhibited other differentiations.	Kuo et al[79], 2012
Polycaprolactone nanofiber matrices	HESC-derived neural precursors	Aligned fibrous matrices showed higher rate of neuronal differentiation compared to random micro- and nano- fibers (62%-86% vs 27%-32%).	Mahairaki et al[77], 2011
Polyurethane nanofibrous scaffolds	hESC line SA002	Neuronal differentiation was preferred over astrocyte differentiation.	Carlberg et al[80], 2009
Tissue-engineered fibrin scaffolds	Mouse ESC-derived NPCs	Enhanced NPC survival and directed differentiation into neurons.	Johnson et al[82], 2010
PET microfibrous scaffolds	Mouse ESC D3 line	Enhanced neuronal differentiation indicated by nestin, Nurr1, and tyrosine hydroxylase compared to 2-D culture.	Liu et al[84,85], 2013, 2013
Multiwalled carbon nanotube modified PET microfibrous scaffolds	Mouse ESC D3 line	Enhanced neuronal differentiation compared to unmodified scaffolds	Zang et al[83], 2013
Chitin-alginate 3-D microfibrous scaffolds	hESC line: HUES 7 hiPSC lines: PD-iPS5 and hFib2-iPS4	Efficient neuronal differentiation: > 95% nestin+; able to mature into neurons (> 90% β-tubulin III+)	Lu et al[75], 2012
3-D ECM scaffolds derived from ESC aggregates	Mouse ESC D3 line	ECM scaffolds derived from RA-treated EBs enhanced nestin and β-tubulin III expressions	Sart et al[60], 2013
Inverted colloidal crystal (ICC) scaffolds containing alginate, poly(gamma- glutamic acid), and surface peptide; or chitin-chitosan-gelatin ICC scaffolds	Mouse iPSCs	Accelerated neuronal differentiation (β-tubulin III expression) of iPSCs.	Kuo et al[86,87], 2013, 2013

hESCs: Human embryonic stem cells; iPSCs: Induced pluripotent stem cells; NPC: Neural progenitor cells; PET: Poly(ethylene terephthalate); ECM: Extracellular matrix; RA: Retinoic acid; EB: Embryoid body.