Exploring the Role of Autophagy in Vitronectin-based Survival of Wharton’s Jelly Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Ashiq, Khader C. (2022) Exploring the Role of Autophagy in Vitronectin-based Survival of Wharton’s Jelly Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

Text (MS dissertation of Ashiq Khader C (17MS177)) 17MS177_Thesis_file.pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (5MB)

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells are revolutionizing medicine and therapy at a rapid pace. MSCs are used in a wide variety of treatments against grave diseases including neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimers and Parkinsons. The treatment potential is primarily due to its immunomodulatory effects along with regenerative potential of damaged tissues. Even with promising characteristics, MSCs therapy is challenged with poor cell survival and engraftment post transplantation. The microenvironment exposes MSCs under a variety of stress conditions, including nutrient deprivation, high temperatures, hypoxia, and so on, all of which reduce cell survival/engraftment. Wharton’s Jelly derived MSCs(WJ-MSCs) is a prime source of MSCs with the advantage of easy non-invasive collection and isolation. It was established from the lab that vitronectin, an extracellular matrix protein, provided prodigious cell survival to WJ-MSCs during these stress conditions. However, the mechanism behind vitronectin based survival was still not understood. In this study we proposed autophagy as a possible pathway through which vitronectin provided survival advantage to WJ-MSCs. Though no significant change was observed in mRNA expressions of autophagy markers, protein expression strongly suggested a positive regulation of autophagy by vitronectin in stress conditions like nutrient starvation and febrile temperature.

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