Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Neural Stem Cell Survival and Neural Differentiation on Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate Hydrogels Containing a Continuous Concentration Gradient of N-Cadherin Derived Peptide His-Ala-Val-Asp-Ile

Although preclinical models of spinal cord injury have shown that matrix inclusion in stem cell therapy leads to greater neurological improvements than that including cells alone, there has been insufficient matrix optimization for human cells. N-Cadherin influences the development and maintenance of neural tissue, but the effects of N-cadherin derived peptide His-Ala-Val-Asp-Ile (HAVDI) on the survival, neurite extension, and expression of neural differentiation markers in human induced pluripotent stem cell derived neural stems (hNSC) have not been widely examined. Using polyethylene glycol hydrogels containing a continuous gradient of HAVDI, this study identifies concentration dependent effects on hNSC survival and neural differentiation.