Culture and differentiation of ES and iPS cells on oligopeptide-immobilized substrates

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K06591
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biofunction/Bioprocess
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: HIGUCHI AKON 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 伊藤ナノ医工学研究室, 客員研究員 (30189766)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 胚性幹細胞 / 生体材料 / 細胞培養 / 細胞分化 / バイオマテリアル / 幹細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Establishing cultures of human embryonic (ES) and induced pluripotent (iPS) stem cells in xeno-free conditions is essential for producing clinical-grade cells. We designed several structures of oligopeptide-grafted poly (vinyl alcohol-co-itaconic acid) hydrogels with optimal elasticity, and prepared them in formations of single chain, single chain with joint segment, dual chain with joint segment, and branched-type chain. Oligopeptide sequences were selected from integrin- and glycosaminoglycan-binding domains of the extracellular matrix. The hydrogels grafted with vitronectin-derived oligopeptides having a joint segment or a dual chain, which has a storage modulus of 25 kPa, supported the long-term culture of human ES and iPS cells for over 10 passages, which showed better performance than commercially available coating materials. We also succeeded to differentiate human ES cells into cardiomyocytes on the hydrogels.

Free Research Field

高分子基板を用いた幹細胞培養並びに分化