CELLULAR REPROGRAMMING IN PEPTIDE HYDROGEL AND USES THEREOF

摘要

The present invention provides compositions featuring cells, e.g., progenitor cells, stem cells, and their progeny encapsulated within self-assembling threedimensional peptide hydrogel structures (scaffolds). The scaffolds provide a nanoscale environment. Thus the invention provides a nanoscale environment scaffold encapsulating cells. According to certain embodiments of the invention the progenitor cells and/or their progeny are able to differentiate or transdifferentiate within the structures. According to certain embodiments of the invention the cells are or differentiate into liver lineage cells, neural lineage cells, or pancreatic lineage cells. The peptide hydrogel environment renders the cells permissive for instruction by differentiation-enhancing agents such as growth factors or extracellular matrix components. The invention provides an in vitro culture system for growing stem and progenitor cells, for inducing their differentiation and transdifferentiation, and for studying their properties; an in vitro culture system for growing hepatocyte-like cells and/or mature hepatocytes, which may be used, for example, to propagate hepatotropic viruses; a system for generating insulin secreting cells; a system for controlling and manipulating cell differentiation and transdifferentiation in vitro, from which cells can be extracted and then either maintained in vitro or administered to a subject; a system for controlling and manipulating cell differentiation and transdifferentiation in vitro, and assay systems for testing compounds. The invention provides methods of treating disease by implanting peptide hydrogel structures containing cells or cells extracted following culture in peptide hydrogels into the body.