Cell-extracellular matrix interactions regulate neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells

We defined laminin as a key ECM molecule to enhance neural progenitor generation, expansion and differentiation into neurons from hESCs. The cell-laminin interactions involve alpha6beta1 integrin receptors implicating a possible role of laminin/alpha6beta1 integrin signaling in directed neural differentiation of hESCs. Since laminin acts in concert with other ECM molecules in vivo, evaluating cellular responses to the composition of the ECM is essential to clarify further the role of cell-matrix interactions in neural derivation of hESCs.