Regular Article

Three-dimensional porous alginate scaffolds provide a conducive environment for generation of well-vascularized embryoid bodies from human embryonic stem cells

  1. Sharon Gerecht-Nir1,2,
  2. Smadar Cohen3,
  3. Anna Ziskind2,4,
  4. Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor2,4,*

Article first published online: 14 OCT 2004

DOI: 10.1002/bit.20248

Issue

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

Special Issue: Stem Cell Bioengineering

Volume 88, Issue 3, pages 313–320, 5 November 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Gerecht-Nir, S., Cohen, S., Ziskind, A. and Itskovitz-Eldor, J. (2004), Three-dimensional porous alginate scaffolds provide a conducive environment for generation of well-vascularized embryoid bodies from human embryonic stem cells. Biotechnol. Bioeng., 88: 313–320. doi: 10.1002/bit.20248

Author Information

  1. 1

    Biotechnology Interdisciplinary Unit, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

  2. 2

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Medical Center, POB 9602, Haifa 31096, Israel; telephone: +972-4-854-3236; fax: +972-4-854-2579

  3. 3

    Department of Biotechnology Engineering and the Institute for Applied Biosciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel

  4. 4

    Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

*Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Medical Center, POB 9602, Haifa 31096, Israel; telephone: +972-4-854-3236; fax: +972-4-854-2579

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 OCT 2004
  2. Article first published online: 14 OCT 2004
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 18 MAR 2004
  4. Manuscript Received: 19 DEC 2003

Funded by

  • National Institutes of Health; Technion Research and Development Foundation, Ltd.. Grant Number: 1RO1Hl73798-01

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

Get PDF (3535K)

Keywords:

  • alginate scaffold;
  • human embryonic stem cells;
  • differentiation;
  • agglomeration

Abstract

Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can be instigated through the formation of embryo-like aggregates in suspension, termed human embryoid bodies (hEBs). Controlling cell aggregation and agglomeration during hEBs formation has a profound effect on the extent of cell proliferation and differentiation. In a previous work, we showed that control over hEBs formation and differentiation can be achieved via cultivation of hESC suspensions in a rotating bioreactor system. We now report that hEBs can be generated directly from hESC suspensions within three-dimensional (3D) porous alginate scaffolds. The confining environments of the alginate scaffold pores enabled efficient formation of hEBs with a relatively high degree of cell proliferation and differentiation; encouraged round, small-sized hEBs; and induced vasculogenesis in the forming hEBs to a greater extent than in static or rotating cultures. We therefore conclude that differentiation of hEBs can be induced and directed by physical constraints in addition to chemical cues. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Get PDF (3535K)