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Dissertation
Enhancing survival and integration of transplanted neural stem/progenitor cells for treating spinal cord injury
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Dec 2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010856
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) causes partial or complete functional loss below the injury site. Patients with SCI suffer lifelong disability and require continuous physical and medical care. SCI causes neuronal loss and axon degeneration, which disrupts the neural circuitry that controls the functions of spinal cord. In the adult central nervous system (CNS), neurons usually cannot renew themselves to replace the lost neuron population, and achieving long-distance axon growth from the remaining neurons is extremely difficult. Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) transplantation is a promising therapeutic strategy for replacing lost neurons and establishing neuronal relays, facilitating the reconstruction of damaged neural circuitry. However, poor survival of grafted cells and the formation of astroglial-fibrotic scars remain significant challenges for achieving successful integration and functional recovery. In this study, we aim to address these challenges by utilizing a four-factor cocktail (GNVb, consisting of GSH, NAC, VEGF, and bFGF) to promote NSPC survival and local delivery of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) to reduce astroglial-fibrotic scar formation. By enhancing NSPC survival with GNVb, we aim to enable the acute transplantation of NSPCs (24 h after SCI), leveraging their immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects to promote graft-host integration. Concurrently, HGF delivery is expected to mitigate scar formation, further facilitating graft-host integration.
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Details
- Title
- Enhancing survival and integration of transplanted neural stem/progenitor cells for treating spinal cord injury
- Creators
- Nan Hai
- Contributors
- Yinghui Zhong (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xv, 90 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022019815204721