The Effect of Using Low Intensity Pulse Ultrasound and Culture Substrates Variation on the Regulation of Neural Stem Cells (II)

Recent literature has revealed that neural stem cells (NSCs) have potential for the basic materials for treating harsh neural diseases and injuries, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Ultrasound exposure has been accepted as an effective therapy for nonunion fractures and fresh healing through an easy and noninvasive application. Low intensity ultrasound (LIUS) has been found to influence osteoblast, chondrocytes and a number of other cell types in culture. However, little is known about the bioeffect of LIUS on neural cells, especially on NSCs. In the proposed research, a regulating microenvromental stimuli system for NSCs will be establish including the effect of materials, biophysical stimulation, and biochemical stimulation. In the proceeding project (NSC 100-2221-E-182-006), we have fabricated a series of microenviroment by using one of a biomimetic material-supported lipid bilayer (SLB) conjugated layer by layer (LBL) polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEM) or ECM proteins as a series template to program and mimic NSCs niches and to determine the cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions. In this continue proposed research, one of a biophysical stimulation- LIUS will be introduced into this system. The variation of the intensity and stimuli period of LIUS on the proliferation, differentiation, migration, neurite outgrowth, and the neurons network will also be investigated. During the first year, the combined effect including materials, biochemical stimulation (growth factors or signal molecules) and LIUS stimuli will be integrated in the model to demonstrate the bioeffects of complex stimulation of NSCs. In addition, in order to characterize the LIUS and combination effects on NSCs, the cell membrane permeation, calcium concentration, one of the neurotransmitter NO release, signal transduction and signal pathway will be determined during the second year. Eventually, the goal of this proposed project is to create a system closer nature physiology and try to build up a neural network system which could be used on the application of neural tissue engineering or cell therapy.

Project ID:PB10107-1723
External Project ID:NSC101-2221-E182-012