Cell density is one of the most important parameters for optimal differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a promising cell source for regenerative medicine. However, previous studies compared the effect of cell density on differentiation by separately culturing cells at different cell densities. Here we prepared a micropatterned surface with different ratios of cell-adhesive polystyrene to nonadhesive poly(vinyl alcohol) areas to compare the effect more directly. A gradient pattern of human MSCs of different cell densities was generated by seeding the cells on the micropatterned surface, and the cell density effects on osteogenic differentiation were investigated. The high cell seeding density of human MSCs initiated osteogenic differentiation at a faster rate than did the low cell density. This micropatterning method will be useful for the manipulation of cell distribution in a density gradient manner for the direct investigation of stem cell functions related to cell density.

Control of cell density by a micropatterned surface for osteogenic differentiation

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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