Stem cell differentiation using novel light-responsive hydrogels
AssigneeRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
InventorsKi-Bum Lee, Shreyas Shah
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Abstract
This application discloses a light-responsive hydrogel-based platform that can modulate multiple microenvironmental signals to direct the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells (hiPSC-NPCs) into neuronal cells. The invention provides novel methods for directing differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons useful for treatment of degenerative diseases or disorders, including but not limited to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or spinal cord injury (SCI).
Claims15
A light-responsive hydrogel composition for differentiation of stem cells, comprising:
- (a) a photo cross-linked polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel;
- (b) a UV or NIR triggered chemical adaptor system covalently attaching small molecules to the PEG hydrogel and comprising a UV or NIR light-sensitive trigger group molecule;
- and
- (c) small molecules covalently attached to said chemical adaptor system that promote differentiation of neural stem cells into neuronal cells;
- wherein said hydrogel composition has the structure:
A kit for preparation of a light-responsive hydrogel composition, comprising the following pre-polymer components:
- a) a first component comprising a multi-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-thiol macromer;
- b) a second component comprising a PEG diacrylate monomer;
- c) a third component comprising an acrylate monomer covalently attached to an adhesion peptide chain;
- and d) a fourth component comprising a UV or NIR triggered chemical adaptor covalently attached to small molecules and comprising a UV or NIR light-sensitive trigger group molecule wherein the fourth component has the structure:
- wherein the pre-polymer components are capable of co-polymerization to form a hydrogel composition under irradiation with a UV light wavelength different than the wave-lengths that trigger said chemical adaptor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.