Neural differentiation of human neural stem/progenitor cells on piezoelectric scaffolds

Abstract

This study evaluated the neural differentiation of human neural stem /progenitor cells (hNPCs) on electrospun fibrous piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE) scaffolds. We hypothesize aligned fibrous piezoelectric scaffold would provide both physical cues (via contact guidance) and local electrical activity to promote neuronal differentiation and neurite extension. hNPCs predominately differentiated into the neuronal lineage on both random and aligned electrospun PVDF-TrFE scaffolds. Less nestin-positive hNPCs were present on the scaffolds compared to laminin coated surface. The results suggest the potential use of these scaffolds in spinal cord repair and other neural applications.