Control of stem cell fate by engineering their micro and nanoenvironment

Figure 4 Effect of surface chemical functional groups on the differentiation of stem cells. Encapsulation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in phosphate and t-butyl functionalised polyethylene glycol hydrogels affected the CBFA1 and PPARG expression. A: CBFA1, PPARG, and β-actin expression of hMSCs encapsulated in control, t-butyl, and phosphate-functionalised PEG hydrogels was performed. Immunoblots were quantified with ImageJ software and CBFA1 (B) and PPARG (C) expression levels over the 21-d culture period were normalised to β-actin expression; D: Differentiation was confirmed using Masson’s trichrome stains collagen blue (left column) and Oil Red stains intracellular lipid deposits red (third column). (bar = 100 μm). Taken with permission from Benoit DS, Schwartz MP, Durney AR, Anseth KS. Small functional groups for controlled differentiation of hydrogel-encapsulated human mesenchymal stem cells. Nat Mater 2008; 7: 816-823.