Significance
Embryonic stem cells have enormous potential to aid therapeutics, because they can renew themselves and become different cell types. This study addresses a key challenge for ESC use - growing them safely for human patients. ESCs typically grow with a feeder layer of mouse fibroblasts. Since patients have a risk of immune response to feeder layer cells, we have developed a material to mimic the feeder layer and eliminate this risk. We investigated the influence of feeder layer topography and stiffness on mouse ESCs. While the biomimetic synthetic feeder layer contains no live cells, it replicates the stiffness and topography of feeder layer cells. Significantly, ESCs grown on BSFLs retain their abilities to grow and become multiple cell types.
Statement of significance
Embryonic stem cells have enormous potential to aid therapeutics, because they can renew themselves and become different cell types. This study addresses a key challenge for ESC use - growing them safely for human patients. ESCs typically grow with a feeder layer of mouse fibroblasts. Since patients have a risk of immune response to feeder layer cells, we have developed a material to mimic the feeder layer and eliminate this risk. We investigated the influence of feeder layer topography and stiffness on mouse ESCs. While the biomimetic synthetic feeder layer contains no live cells, it replicates the stiffness and topography of feeder layer cells. Significantly, ESCs grown on BSFLs retain their abilities to grow and become multiple cell types.