Role of VTN and ERK Pathway in Maintaining the Viability of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Under Serum Deprivation Stress

Medhi, Antonio (2021) Role of VTN and ERK Pathway in Maintaining the Viability of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Under Serum Deprivation Stress. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

Text (MS Dissertation of Antonio Medhi (16MS008)) 16MS008_Thesis_file.pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (1MB)

Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are the most widely used in the area of cell-based therapeutic applications because of their immunomodulatory and trophic support roles. Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs (WJ-MSCs) are a primitive stromal population. They have been shown to be therapeutic in a variety of pre-clinical animal models of human disease, including neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and heart disease. However, various microenvironment stress factors like serum deprivation, low oxygen, and febrile temperature make MSC survival post-transplantation difficult. In our study, the effect of vitronectin (VTN) and its regulation by the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in MSC survival during serum deprivation stress was examined. We observed that MSCs under serum deprivation stress exhibited a considerable increase in cell spread area. There was an elevation of VTN expression along with a cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, while no detectable changes in apoptotic population under serum deprived condition. Inhibition of the ERK pathway under no serum condition resulted in further rise in VTN expression without any significant apoptotic change.

Actions (login required)

View Item