Title:Nanofibers of Poly(caprolactone)-poly(ethylene oxide) as 3D Scaffolds for Enhancing Stem Cell Growth and Proliferation
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
Author(s): Salman H. Alrokayan*, Fouzi Mouffouk, Haseeb A. Khan, Tajamul Hussain, Salman Alamery and Khalid Abu-Salah
Affiliation:
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
Keywords:
Nanowires, polymer, 3-D culture, stem cells, regenerative medicine, extracellular microenvironment.
Abstract:
Introduction: Stem cell therapy has emerged as a highly active field of research due
to the remarkable abilities of stem cells to renew themselves and differentiate into various types
of cells when cultured. However, scientists have recently become more aware of the limitations
of traditional 2D culture and stem cell culture media.
Methods: This study aims to create an alternative polymeric three-dimensional (3D) scaffold by
utilizing the self-assembly process of a star-shaped amphiphilic copolymer (poly(caprolactone)
and poly(ethylene oxide)) into nanofibers. These nanofibers closely resemble the native extracellular
matrix in terms of scale and capability of replicating the extracellular microenvironment,
enabling the observation and manipulation of stem cell functions.
Results: The findings of this study indicate that polymeric nanofibers are highly effective as a
3D scaffold for the proliferation of mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (mESCs) while maintaining
their stem cell characteristics.
Conclusion: These findings strongly suggest that the polymeric 3D scaffolds, in the form of
nanofibers, not only support the growth and proliferation of stem cells but also preserve the pluripotency
of mESCs.
