Viability and differentiation of neural precursors on hyaluronic acid hydrogel scaffold

The traditional notion that injured neurons are unable to regenerate in the adult mammalian brain and spinal cord has long been a concern. This view has led to methodology designed to overcome this problem, most recently by advancements in tissue engineering. Here, neural precursor cells (NPCs) and the Nogo receptor antibody (NgR‐Ab) or poly‐L‐lysine (PLL) were tested in concert with hyaluronic acid hydrogel scaffolds (HA). In particular, we wished to optimize viability and differentiation of NPCs within HA hydrogel scaffolds. Our results show that HA hydrogels can be modified physically or chemically to improve NPCs attachment on the scaffolding doped with NgR‐Ab or PLL. Both the HA hydrogels and their modifications support the viability of NPCs. NPCs were also able to differentiate into neurons and glial cells on HA hydrogels, although this was affected by the different modifications. Immunofluorescence showed that fewer β‐III‐tubulin antibody and antineurofilament antibody‐positive cells were found on HA‐PLL hydrogel compared with HA or HA NgR‐Ab hydrogels. This indicates that the PLL‐modified HA hydrogels may inhibit differentiation of NPCs, whereas modification by NgR‐Ab had no such effect. Finally, the NgR‐Ab‐modified HA scaffold can be used as not only a NPC delivery system but also a bioactive factor transportation system for CNS repair. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.