Thesis
Cell and exosome RNA signatures from mouse primary neurons and astrocytes
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
May 2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/r4q3-vg32
Abstract
Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) or exosomes are 30-150 nm vesicles that mediate intercellular communication by transferring RNA and proteins to the recipient cells. The biomolecular cargo is selectively sorted into exosomes and mirror the physiological state of the donor cells. Given that exosomes cross the blood-brain barrier and their composition can change in neurological disorders, there is an increasing interest in elucidating their molecular signature. Exosomes in circulation are derived from multiple cellular sources; hence, determining their source is challenging. Information on exosome composition can be beneficial in predicting whether the exosomes released are predominantly from central nervous system cells. We hypothesized that only a subset of cellular miRNAs are packaged into sEVs secreted by neurons or astrocytes and the miRNA signature can be unique to the donor cells. sEVs isolated from postnatal mouse cortical neuron and astrocyte cultures were characterized for their purity and integrity. Sequencing total cellular RNA and miRNAs from sEVs revealed a distinct miRNA profile between cells and their sEVs. We observed differences in miRNA expression and packaging into sEVs between neurons and astrocytes. Differential mRNA expression of five cellular RNA-binding proteins (RBP), and the presence of EXOmotifs, the short sequence motifs that control the loading of RNA into exosomes suggest the mechanisms employed for RNA sorting into exosomes can vary in neurons and astrocytes. Future studies will determine the roles of RBP and EXOmotifs in miRNA packaging and examine whether the miRNAs altered in neurological disorders were derived from neurons or astrocytes or both.
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Details
- Title
- Cell and exosome RNA signatures from mouse primary neurons and astrocytes
- Creators
- Xuan Luo - DU
- Contributors
- Seena Ajit (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- viii, 46 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Medicine; Pharmacology and Physiology; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 10923; 991014632291204721