Where neural stem cells feel at home

The researchers studied neural stem cells from mouse embryonic brains, which they cultivated on positively charged hydrogels. “Our aim was to create an artificial environment for cells that mimics the natural cell environment in the brain,” says Kristin Glotzbach. “Cells have a negatively charged coating, also known as a pericellular matrix. This means they adhere particularly well to positively charged substrates.” The trick with the hydrogels used in the experiments was that the strength of their positive charge could be precisely adjusted.

As the experiments showed, the positively charged hydrogels facilitated the survival of the cells and affected their future fate. If the stem cells adhered to hydrogels with a high positive charge, the cells tended to develop into nerve cells. On gels with a lower positive charge, on the other hand, the stem cells mainly developed into glial cells, which perform important auxiliary functions for the nerve cells.

The ability to influence whether stem cells differentiate into nerve or glial cells would be a great advantage. “Depending on the injury, different cell types need to be replaced,” explains Kristin Glotzbach. It’s not only the regeneration of nerve cells that is important. “In certain diseases, glial cells are also attacked and need to be replaced. In multiple sclerosis, for example, the insulation of the nerve cells, which is made of oligodendrocytes, is destroyed.”

Addition of growth factor improves survival rate

When the researchers added the growth factor FGF2 to the positively charged hydrogels, they successfully increased the survival and division rate of the cells. But the differentiation into nerve and glial cells then occurred at a slower pace.

“In future studies, we intend to add peptides or components of extracellular matrix molecules to the positively charged gels in order to simulate the natural environment of the cells even more efficiently,” says Kristin Glotzbach. The researchers also plan to experiment with three-dimensional gels that could fill cavities after brain injuries.

University Alliance Ruhr

Since 2007, the three universities in the Ruhr region have enjoyed close strategic cooperation under the umbrella of the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr). By joining forces, the activities of the partner universities are systematically expanded. Following the principle of “three universities, one community, endless opportunities”, more than 100 collaborations have been established in research, teaching and administration. With more than 120,000 students and almost 1,300 professors, the UA Ruhr is one of the largest and most efficient science hubs in Germany.