Characterization of Adult Human Neural Progenitor Cell Differentiation In Vitro and In Vivo
| Author(s) | Fascelli, Michele | |
| Date Accessioned | 2012-10-05T17:53:00Z | |
| Date Available | 2012-10-05T17:53:00Z | |
| Publication Date | 2011-05 | |
| Abstract | The stem cell cancer hypothesis has suggested that stem and progenitor cells may be the likely source of accumulation of oncogenic factors that lead to specific cancer cell types. Additional insight into this mechanism may be garnered by studying the differentiation of adult human neural progenitor (AHNP) cells and the role of L1, the cell adhesion molecule that has been previously shown to increase glioma cell motility and invasion. Previous studies have shown that adult human neural progenitor cells can differentiate into neurons and astrocytes both in vitro and in vivo. This also suggests that these cells can potentially be used to treat individuals with nervous system disorders that specifically involve neurons and astrocytes. No work had shown that oligodendrocytes had been isolated in culture or in vivo. Immunocytochemical characterization of adult human neural progenitors was performed in order to assess L1 levels and the progenitor nature of the cells being cultured. Vimentin immunostaining suggested that the cells were expressing progenitor markers during in vitro experiments. The astrocyte marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein, was also expressed in cell culture. L1 ectodomain was detected in the progenitor cells, as well as Pax-6 transcription factor for L1. In co-culturing experiments using both monolayer co-cultures and aggregate co-cultures, the AHNPs were cultured with chick embryo brain cells and evaluated for differentiation. Monolayer co-cultures proved to be difficult as AHNPs minimally interacted with the chick embryo brain cells. Aggregate co-cultures improved cell-to-cell interactions and positive oligodendrocyte immunostaining was found. Though improvements to the co-culturing methods can be developed, the AHNPs did show a potential plasticity to induce differentiation. The progenitor cells were cultured without growth factors and neuronal markers were detected. Overexpression of L1 ectodomain in the AHNPs did not produce any changes, though the future investigation of cell motility and invasion will require understand if any L1- mediated signaling is involved. | en_US |
| Advisor | Deni S. Galileo | |
| Program | Biological Sciences | |
| URL | http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/11558 | |
| Language | en_US | en_US |
| Publisher | University of Delaware | |
| Keywords | Adult human neural progenitor (AHNP) | en_US |
| Keywords | Stem cells | en_US |
| Keywords | Progenitor cells | en_US |
| Keywords | Stem cell cancer hypothesis | en_US |
| Title | Characterization of Adult Human Neural Progenitor Cell Differentiation In Vitro and In Vivo | en_US |
| Type | Thesis | en_US |