Directed Neural Stem Cells Differentiation via Signal Communication with Ni-Zn Micromotors.

Neural stem cells, with capability of self-renewal, differentiation, and environment modulation, are considered promising for stroke, brain injury therapy and neuron regeneration. Activation of endogenous neural stem cells, is attracting increasing research enthusiasm, which avoids immune rejection and ethical issues of exogeneous cell transplantation. Yet how to induce directed growth and differentiation in situ remain a major challenge. In this study, w e propose a pure water driven Ni-Zn micromotor via a self-established electric-chemical field. The micromotors can be magnetically guided and precisely approach target neural stem cell. Through electric-chemical field, bioelectrical signal exchange and communication with endogenous neural stem cells w ere allowed, thus allowing for regulated proliferation and directed neuron differentiation in vivo. Therefore, Ni-Zn micromotor provides a platform for controlling cell fate via self-established electrochemical field and targeted activation of endogenous neural stem cells. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.