Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Nasir_MSThesis.pdf (4.55 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Effect of Topography on Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells During Pluripotency and Neural Differentiation

Nasir, Wafaa
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1533098386697352

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science in Engineering, University of Akron, Biomedical Engineering.
Diseases and injuries in the central nervous system (CNS) can cause serious complications throughout the body, and severely decrease the quality of life. The body’s repair capabilities in the CNS system are limited, and so interventional therapies are needed to aid in restoring function. In recent years, cell-replacement therapies have attracted wide attention in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research that targets CNS repair. Polymeric-cellular constructs that aim to replace damaged or lost tissue have been engrafted in animal models with CNS defects, and have shown a promising recovery of function. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are pluripotent cells that possess the ability to differentiate to the three germ layers, which makes them a potential unlimited source for much needed neural cell types. However, several challenges stand in the way of translational relevance of this valuable resource, including the lack of well-defined culture conditions, and contamination of culture with xenogeneic materials that increase the risk of in vivo rejection. In this work, electrospun poly(e-caprolactone) nanofibrous scaffolds of aligned and random orientation, functionalized with the laminin-derived, adhesion molecule, YIGSR, have been investigated as a potential xeno-free substrate that could support and enhance the neural differentiation of mouse ESCs. Results of the study have shown that the scaffold was successful in supporting neural differentiation of mESC over 14 days of culture, with a faster differentiation rate than the control group. Furthermore, aligned fibrous scaffolds have shown enhanced neurite contact guidance compared to the other substrates. Additionally, non-functionalized electrospun poly(e-caprolactone) nanofibrous scaffolds with bimodal distribution have been investigated as a culture substrate that could maintain the pluripotency of mouse ESCs during expansion. Results of the study have shown that mESC cultured on PCL fibrous substrates maintained expression of pluripotency markers after 12 days of culture without a protein coating, and had best survival rates compared to control groups. Further investigation is needed to determine cell adhesion and proliferation capabilities of PCL fibrous scaffolds. However, results from both studies show that the studied scaffolds could be useful as culture substrates for ESCs expansion and neural differentiation.
Rebecca Willits (Advisor)
Matthew Becker (Committee Member)
Christie Zhang (Committee Member)
195 p.
Biomedical Engineering
Embryonic stem cells; PCL; Scaffolds, YIGSR, Neural Differentiation; Laminin; Fibronectin; Synthetic Peptides; Electrospinning; Tissue Engineering; Neuroregeneration; Nanofibers

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Nasir, W. (2018). Effect of Topography on Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells During Pluripotency and Neural Differentiation [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1533098386697352

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Nasir, Wafaa. Effect of Topography on Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells During Pluripotency and Neural Differentiation. 2018. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1533098386697352.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Nasir, Wafaa. "Effect of Topography on Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells During Pluripotency and Neural Differentiation." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1533098386697352

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1533098386697352
298
© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.