LAUSR

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important extracellular microenvironmental factor that regulates stem cell differentiation. The ECM is remodeled according to stem cell differentiation progression to precisely regulate the differentiation. Thus, it is expected that the matrices mimicking native ECM surrounding differentiating cells at each differentiation stage provide a favorable microenvironment to promote stem cell differentiation. However, it is difficult to prepare matrices mimicking native ECM using chemical methods because the ECM has a complicated composition. The decellularization technique is useful to prepare such matrices. In this chapter, we described the protocol to prepare matrices mimicking native ECM surrounding cells that are differentiating from mesenchymal stem cells to either osteoblasts or adipocytes via stem cell differentiation culture and a detergent- and nuclease-based decellularization technique.