Drug Delivery and Translational Research - Featured Article: September 2023
Read the featured article from the September 2023 issue! (this opens in a new tab)
Summary:
Available methods for differentiating stem cells into functional neurons require numerous cytokines and neurotrophic factors, and the process is highly complex, slow, inefficient, and costly for clinical implementation. Here, we demonstrate a bioactive material, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-chitosan controlled release system, facilitates neuronal differentiation from neural stem cells (NSCs) and the functional maturation of the induced neurons with high efficiency. Immunostaining revealed that the neurons derived from NSCs expressed mature immunomarkers of interneurons and excitatory neurons. We also found by patch-clamp that the induced neurons exhibited diverse electrophysiological properties as well as functional synapses. In vivo, we implanted bFGF-chitosan into lesion area in traumatic brain injury mice and observed abundance of neuroblasts in subventricular zone and the presence of newborn functional neurons in injury area, which integrated into synaptic networks. Taken together, our efficient and rapid tissue engineering approach provides a means to generate functional neuronal lineage cells from stem cells and potentially to treat brain injury and diseases.