Improved Neural Differentiation of Human-induced Pluripotent Stem Cell [hiPSCs] on a Novel Polyurethane-based Scaffold Containing Iron Oxide Nanoparticles [Fe2O3 NPs].

BACKGROUND: Repair of the nervous system in humans has always been complicated and faced difficulties. Cell transplantation approaches using biocompatible scaffolds might be an attractive therapeutic strategy for neuronal regeneration. OBJECTIVE: We designed a cell delivery platform based on polyurethane [PU] and modified it with iron oxide nanoparticles [Fe2O3 NPs] for neural induction of human-induced pluripotent stem cells [hiPSC]. Forskolin, IBMX, and different ratios of FBS were employed to induce neurogenesis of hiPSCs. Neural differentiations were assessed at the level of genes and proteins. METHODS: As was shown by MTT colorimetric assay, the proliferation and viability of SNL 76/7 on PU/ Fe2O3 were superior in comparison with pure PU and Fe2O3. hiPSCs cultured with PU/Fe2O3 exhibited an elevated expression of ß3-tubulin, MAP2, NSE, OLIG2, as compared to controls. Furthermore, Acridine Orange staining assured the survival and viability of hiPSCs after 14 days of differentiation. RESULTS: All in all, our findings pointed out the biocompatibility and positive regulatory effect of PU/Fe2O3 on neural markers. CONCLUSION: We believe this scaffold could be a potential candidate for future nerve differentiation applications.

Flexible magnetic polyurethane/Fe2O3 nanoparticles as organic-inorganic nanocomposites for biomedical applications: Properties and cell behavior.

Nowadays, the discovery of cell behaviors and their responses in communication with the stem cell niches and/or microenvironments are one of the major topics in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this study, incorporated organic-inorganic polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites were prepared for better understanding of cell signaling and the effect of magnetite nanoparticles on cell proliferation and cell responses. The properties of PU-IONs were evaluated by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic-force microscopy (AFM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The presence of the iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) affects on the properties of polyurethane nanocomposites such as bulk morphology, mechanical, electrochemical, and biological properties. The electrical conductivity and hydrophilicity of PU-IONs were improved by increasing the magnetite nanoparticles; therefore water absorption, biodegradation and cell viability were changed. The biocompatibility of PU-IONs was investigated by MTT assay, cell attachment and cell staining. According to the results, the magnetite polyurethane nanocomposites could be a potential choice for cell therapy and tissue engineering, especially nerve repair.