Microfluidic platform for human placenta-derived multipotent stem cells culture and applied for enhanced neuronal differentiation

Stem cell research grows rapidly in recent years due to its potential in clinical applications. Since the stem cell behavior is influenced by environmental cues, investigation of the stem cell differentiation under chemical as well as physical stimulation environment is important. Under traditional petri dish culturing conditions, directly applying physical stimulation on the cells is difficult. Microfluidic chip, on the other hand, provides a manageable platform to stimulate cells. In this research, we use microfluidic chip to culture human placenta-derived multipotent stem cells (PDMCs) and apply chemical and physical stimulations to the cells. PDMCs is a newly developed human stem cell source that are easier to access with less ethical issues compare to other human stem cells. This research shows that the microfluidic platform could provide adequate in vitro microenvironment that maintain pluripotency and proliferative potential for PDMCs culture. PDMCs were successfully differentiate to neuronal cells through chemical and physical–chemical stimulation on the microfluidic platform. Our results show that through physical shear stress stimulation, PDMCs can result in enhanced neuronal cell differentiation.