Essential role of structural integrity and firm attachment of surface-anchored epidermal growth factor in adherent culture of neural stem cells

Surface immobilization of proteins provides various biomaterials that permit the control of cellular functions through protein–protein interactions. Our previous study demonstrated that human epidermal growth factor carrying a hexahistidine sequence at the C-terminus (hEGF-His) could be anchored to the Ni-chelated surface by coordination, providing the versatile substrate for the selective proliferation of neural stem cells. The present study was undertaken to gain deeper insights into the basis for such an outstanding property of the surface with coordinated hEGF-His. For this purpose, the structure of the coordinated hEGF-His was analyzed by multiple internal reflection-infrared absorption spectroscopy. In addition, stability of coordinate bonds was assessed under cell culture conditions using a spatially-restricted anchoring technique. These data were compared to the results obtained from surfaces with covalently immobilized and physically adsorbed hEGF-His. The results presented here demonstrate that coordinated hEGF-His remains its intact conformation and is firmly anchored to the surface during cell culture. These attributes are both crucial for establishing the adherent culture and hence selective expansion of neural stem cells.