Enhanced Stem Cell Pluripotency in Surface-Modified Electrospun Fibrous Matrices

A previously screened “hit chemistry” (N‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl] methacrylamide) that supports strong attachment and long‐term self‐renewal of ES cells is selected and grafted to poly(ether sulfone) (PES) fibrous matrices through plasma‐induced graft polymerization. The 3D modified fibers exhibit higher cell proliferation and greater expression of pluripotency markers of mouse ES cells than 2D membranes. It is the first demonstration of scaling up an optimal synthetic surface chemistry in 2D using a high throughput synthesis, screening, and selection method to 3D that strongly influences pluripotent stem cell growth. Optimal chemistry identified from high‐throughput synthesis and screening is successfully grafted onto an electrospun, 3D fibrous matrix to better support stem cell attachment and maintenance. Embryonic stem cells exhibit high cell proliferation and enhanced expression of pluripotent marker, which clearly demonstrates that selecting desirable surface chemistries in 2D can be scaled to 3D that strongly influence the behavior of pluripotent stem cells.