Culture of pluripotent stem cells in microscale droplets modulates differentiation and tissue patterning towards organoids on chip
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The differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and their self-organization into organoids are influenced by cell-cell interactions mediated by contacts and secreted molecules. These interactions are enhanced in microfluidic droplets due to confinement and small culture volumes. However, a comprehensive study on the culture of PSCs within droplets and the impact of this microenvironment has yet to be conducted. In this study, we present a droplet platform for the 3D culture of PSCs at various stages of cellular commitment. We demonstrate PSC differentiation into the three germ layers and the feasibility of organoid formation within droplets. Our findings reveal that culturing PSCs in confined volumes regulates cell fate decisions, promoting tissue patterning in gastruloids through the sequential induction of growth and migration of distinct differentiated cell populations, and facilitating the self-organization of cardiac organoids. This technological approach provides unique insights into the intrinsic factors regulating tissue self-patterning in vitro .
Highlights and eTOC blurb
Highlights
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Droplet microfluidics allows expansion and supports the pluripotency of 3D aggregates of PSCs.
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Droplet microfluidics supports and regulates spontaneous differentiation into embryoid bodies.
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Droplet promotes tissue patterning in gastruloids through the sequential induction of growth and migration of mesoderm followed by ectoderm.
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Perfused microfluidic droplets support long term culture and derivation of organoids on chip.
Vertti-Quintero et al . introduces a microfluidic droplet platform for the 3D culture of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) at various differentiation stages. The format supports the long term 3D culture and the differentiation of PSCs -either spontaneous or directed-. This “microscale culture” can regulate PSCs fate decision, while promoting tissue pattering -as demonstrated in gastruloids polarization- and allowing self-organization towards cardioids formation.
