Controlling neural stem cell differentiation at the surfaces modified through oriented immobilization of epidermal growth factor

To create a culture substrate that permits the control of neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation, epidermal growth factor fused with an oligohistidine tag at the C-terminal (EGF-His) was chelated to the self-assembled monolayer surface having Ni²⁺ ions. Each step of surface preparation was characterized by infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and contact angle measurement. Adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of NSC were assessed on the surfaces with chelated EGF-His. The results of these assays suggested that the oriented immobilization of EGF-His provided a culture substrate efficient for maintaining the undifferentiated state of NSC.