We have developed nanofibrous matrix that mimics the biochemical and topographical characteristics of the basement membrane to support the adhesion and expansion of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs).  We have demonstrated that nanofiber topography and surface biochemical groups synergistically improve the self-renewal and proliferation of HSPCs, and identified aminated nanofibers as the most effective artificial matrix in supporting HSPC proliferation and phenotype maintenance (Chua et al, 2006, Chua et al, 2007, Jiang et al, 2011).  This study contributes to the understanding of HSC niche regulation and role of cell adhesion in HSC functional maintenance.  This technology has been licensed to Arteriocyte for cell-based angiogenesis therapy.  A series of papers by Prof. Das Hiranmoy at Ohio State University have demonstrated the potential of nanofiber-expanded cells for angiogenic therapies in treating heart and limb ischemia (Das, et al, 2009a; Das, et al, 2009b; Aggarwal, et al, 2012; Lu, et al, 2013; Joseph, et al, 2014).

Publications

1. Chua KN, Chai C, Lee PC, Tang YN, Ramakrishna S, Leong KW, Mao HQ. (2006). Surface-aminated electrospun nanofibers enhance adhesion and expansion of human umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Biomaterials. 27(36): 6043-6051. PMID: 16854459.
2. Feng Q, Chai C, Jiang XS, Leong KW, Mao HQ. (2006). Expansion of engrafting human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in three-dimensional scaffolds with surface-immobilized fibronectin. J Biomed Mater Res A. 78(4): 781-791. PMID: 16739181; PMCID: PMC2396227.
3. Chua KN, Chai C, Lee PC, Ramakrishna S, Leong KW, Mao HQ. (2007). Functional nanofiber scaffolds with different spacers modulate adhesion and expansion of cryopreserved umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Exp Hematol. 35(5): 771-781. PMID: 17577926.
4. Jiang X, Christopherson GT, Mao HQ. (2011). The effect of nanofibre surface amine density and conjugate structure on the adhesion and proliferation of human haematopoietic progenitor cells. Interface Focus. 1(5): 725-733. PMID: 23050077; PMCID: PMC3262283.