Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Baumann_dissertation final format2.pdf (5.57 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

MOLECULAR INVESTIGATION INTO SPINAL CORD INJURY REGENERATION BARRIERS AND THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES

Baumann, Hannah J
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1590662448091686

Abstract Details

2020, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Chemistry.
Spinal cord injury causes irreversible damage to the central nervous system and its treatment can be associated with costs in the millions of dollars over the individual’s lifetime. A major barrier for curative treatments is hindered regeneration by the induced scar that inhibits neuron axon crossing to reconnect neural circuits. Current treatments involve supporting and decompressing the spinal cord in combination with the use of anti-inflammatory agents. These treatments, along with physical therapy, improve functional outcomes, but do not cure spinal cord injury induced deficits. Prospective treatments to replace cells or inhibit the formation of the scar can improve functional outcomes in rodent models, but do not cure functional deficits indicating that insight into molecular level scar inhibitory properties and the mechanism of regenerative treatments is necessary. The glial scar is made up of reactive astrocytes that secrete neurite inhibitory molecules such as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, that surrounds a fibrotic scar composed of cystic cavities devoid of CNS cells. In this work, chronic spinal cord injury scar elasticity, cell composition and extracellular makeup were measured. Results uncover challenges to spinal cord injury regeneration including decreased elasticity and dysregulated extracellular matrix. The IFN-γ cued molecular mechanism of a potential regenerative system, neural stem cell seeded immobilized IFN-γ chitosan hydrogels, was evaluated. Neurogenic activity was assessed by measuring soluble and immobilized IFN-γ mediated signaling and global metabolomic profiles. Immobilized IFN-γ did not sustain downstream signaling or dysregulate metabolism as re-dosed soluble IFN-γ. In vivo reaction to these constructs was marked by inflammation evaluated with cytokine panels and immunohistochemistry. Foreign body response was elicited with crosstalk between host tissue and scaffolds. Together, this work assesses spinal cord injury physical and molecular properties and mechanistic properties of a regeneration strategy in vitro and in vivo.
Leah Shriver, (Advisor)
Nic Leipzig (Committee Member)
Sailaja Paruchuri, (Committee Member)
Yi Pang, (Committee Member)
Adam Smith, (Committee Member)
158 p.
Analytical Chemistry; Biochemistry; Biomedical Engineering

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Baumann, H. J. (2020). MOLECULAR INVESTIGATION INTO SPINAL CORD INJURY REGENERATION BARRIERS AND THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1590662448091686

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Baumann, Hannah. MOLECULAR INVESTIGATION INTO SPINAL CORD INJURY REGENERATION BARRIERS AND THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES. 2020. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1590662448091686.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Baumann, Hannah. "MOLECULAR INVESTIGATION INTO SPINAL CORD INJURY REGENERATION BARRIERS AND THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1590662448091686

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1590662448091686
350
© 2020, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.