Integrin-Targeted Cyclic Forces Accelerate Neural Tube-Like Rosette Formation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells.

Mechanical forces play important roles in human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation. To investigate the impact of dynamic mechanical forces on neural induction of hESCs, this study employs acoustic tweezing cytometry (ATC) to apply cyclic forces/strains to hESCs by actuating integrin-bound microbubbles using ultrasound pulses. Accelerated neural induction of hESCs is demonstrated as the result of combined action of ATC and neural induction medium (NIM).