Encapsulated oligodendrocyte precursor cell fate is dependent on PDGF‐AA release kinetics in a 3D microparticle‐hydrogel drug delivery system

Abstract Biomaterial drug delivery systems (DDS) can be used to regulate growth factor release and combat the limited intrinsic regeneration capabilities of central nervous system (CNS) tissue following injury and disease. Of particular interest are systems that aid in oligodendrocyte regeneration, as oligodendrocytes generate myelin which surrounds neuronal axons and helps transmit signals throughout the CNS. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are found in small numbers in the adult CNS, but are unable to effectively differentiate following CNS injury. Delivery of signaling molecules can initiate a favorable OPC response, such as proliferation or differentiation. Here, we investigate the delivery of one such molecule, platelet derived growth factor‐AA (PDGF‐AA), from poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid microparticles to OPCs in a 3D polyethylene glycol‐based hydrogel. The goal of this DDS was to better understand the relationship between PDGF‐AA release kinetics and OPC fate. The system approximates native brain tissue stiffness, while incorporating PDGF‐AA under seven different delivery scenarios. Within this DDS, supply of PDGF‐AA followed by PDGF‐AA withdrawal caused OPCs to upregulate gene expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) by factors of 1.6–9.2, whereas continuous supply of PDGF‐AA caused OPCs to remain proliferative. At the protein expression level, we observed an upregulation in O1, a marker for mature oligodendrocytes. Together, these results show that burst release followed by withdrawal of PDGF‐AA from a hydrogel DDS stimulates survival, proliferation, and differentiation of OPCsin vitro. Our results could inform the development of improved neural regeneration strategies that incorporate delivery of PDGF‐AA to the injured CNS. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A:2402–2411, 2018.