Skip to main content
Duke University Libraries
DukeSpace Scholarship by Duke Authors
  • Login
  • Ask
  • Menu
  • Login
  • Ask a Librarian
  • Search & Find
  • Using the Library
  • Research Support
  • Course Support
  • Libraries
  • About
View Item 
  •   DukeSpace
  • Theses and Dissertations
  • Masters Theses
  • View Item
  •   DukeSpace
  • Theses and Dissertations
  • Masters Theses
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Direct Differentiation of Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Nucleus Pulposus-Like Cells

Thumbnail
View / Download
4.7 Mb
Date
2012
Author
Lee, Esther Joy
Advisor
Setton, Lori A
Repository Usage Stats
481
views
394
downloads
Abstract

The intervertebral discs (IVD) contribute to structural stability of the spinal column, attenuate the impact of compressive loads, and enable a wide spectrum of motions. As a consequence of aging, the majority of the adult population experiences painful symptoms associated with IVD degeneration - a condition characterized by diminished integrity of tissue components. Current treatment options unfortunately cannot restore IVD structure and function. At the present, an avenue of great interest involves autologous or allogeneic cell delivery to the degenerated IVD. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have demonstrated their capacity to differentiate into various cell types. A posited strategy for regenerative medicine applications entails deriving iPSCs from a patient's own somatic cells and directing them toward a specific lineage.

The overall objective of this study is to assess the potential of mouse iPSCs to regenerate nucleus pulposus (NP) cells of the IVD. Previous work identified CD24 as an NP marker, while recent data from our lab noted its expression in mouse iPSCs. The first portion of this thesis employed magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) to isolate a CD24<super>high</super> iPSC population. Notochordal gene expression was analyzed in this undifferentiated cell fraction via real time RT-PCR. Mouse iPSCs were then cultured in a laminin-rich, 3D culture system for up to 28 days, and NP phenotype was assessed by immunostaining.

The latter half of this work focused on producing a more conducive environment for NP differentiation of mouse iPSCs. This involved the addition of low oxygen tension and notochordal conditioned medium (NCCM) to the culture platform. Mouse iPSCs were evaluated for ability to adopt an NP-like phenotype through a combination of immunostaining and biochemical assays. Furthermore, they were compared to NIH 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts cultured under the same conditions.

Results demonstrated that a CD24<super>high</super> fraction of mouse iPSCs could be successfully retrieved and differentiated into a population that could synthesize matrix components similar to that in native NP. Likewise, the addition of hypoxia and NCCM generated similar phenotypic results. 3T3 fibroblasts unexpectedly exhibited transdifferentiation potential as well. Altogether, these studies conclude that mouse iPSCs do have potential to differentiate into NP-like cells and may be applied to future cell-based therapies for restoration of the degenerated IVD.

Type
Master's thesis
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Subject
Biomedical engineering
differentiation
intervertebral disc
nucleus pulposus
stem cells
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/5470
Citation
Lee, Esther Joy (2012). Direct Differentiation of Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Nucleus Pulposus-Like Cells. Master's thesis, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/5470.
Collections
  • Masters Theses
More Info
Show full item record
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Rights for Collection: Masters Theses


Works are deposited here by their authors, and represent their research and opinions, not that of Duke University. Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info

Make Your Work Available Here

How to Deposit

Browse

All of DukeSpaceCommunities & CollectionsAuthorsTitlesTypesBy Issue DateDepartmentsAffiliations of Duke Author(s)SubjectsBy Submit DateThis CollectionAuthorsTitlesTypesBy Issue DateDepartmentsAffiliations of Duke Author(s)SubjectsBy Submit Date

My Account

LoginRegister

Statistics

View Usage Statistics
Duke University Libraries

Contact Us

411 Chapel Drive
Durham, NC 27708
(919) 660-5870
Perkins Library Service Desk

Digital Repositories at Duke

  • Report a problem with the repositories
  • About digital repositories at Duke
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Deaccession and DMCA Takedown Policy

TwitterFacebookYouTubeFlickrInstagramBlogs

Sign Up for Our Newsletter
  • Re-use & Attribution / Privacy
  • Harmful Language Statement
  • Support the Libraries
Duke University