University of Wisconsin-Madison chemistry professor Laura Kiessling and her lab published new findings regarding stem cell differentiation Monday, according to a university press release.
Kiessling’s study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, describes how the qualities of surfaces on which pluripotent stem cells are grown affect the “fate” of these cells.
Kiessling’s lab conducted research by placing pluripotent stem cells on brain tissue-like surfaces and observing their differentiation. Among other conclusions, the researchers found surface quality alone could influence cells to become neurons, according to the release.
Pluripotent stem cells are those that have yet to be assigned a specific role, thus they have potential to develop into any adult cell in the body.
The lab, directed by Kiessling and led by UW-Madison chemistry graduate student Samira Musah, created three types of gels to mimic liver, muscle and brain tissue.
The researchers found the cells on stiffer surfaces maintained a stem cell state, whereas those moved to a softer surface started to become neurons.
“It was stunning to me that the surface had such a profound effect,” Kiessling said in the release.
According to the release, the researchers believe the brain tissue-like surface quality affects the yes-associated protein 1, a potent oncogene, inside the cell.
YAP can be found either in the cytoplasm or nucleus of a cell. When located in the nucleus, YAP regulates gene expression.
Kiessling’s study reports YAP is excluded from the nucleus when on soft surfaces, which helps direct the stem cells into brain cell development.
Past studies explored the impact of surfaces on cell “fate”, but never fully explored it until now. Kiessling’s findings may help future studies more accurately define experimental conditions and refine the method of large-scale cell production, according to the release.
