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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Advisor
Robert E. Guldberg, Ph.D. (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Committee
Ian B. Copland, PhD. (Emory University)
Andrés J. García, Ph.D. (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Zulma Gazit, Ph.D. (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)
Todd C. McDevitt, Ph.D. (Gladstone Institutes)
Modulation of Stem Cell Delivery Strategy by Platelet Lysate Utilization and Cell Aggregation for Enhanced Bone Regeneration
Large bone defects, such as those resulting from trauma or tumor resection, are repaired using graft tissue as the current gold standard. However, limitations of this treatment approach, including limited tissue availability and poor revascularization post-grafting, have motivated the development of cell- and protein-based strategies. Although recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) is clinically utilized to promote bone repair in incidences of non-union, supra-physiologic dosing of rhBMP-2 can result in adverse effects including heterotopic bone formation and systemic inflammation. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based bone tissue engineering strategies offer several potential advantages over the use of osteoinductive protein alone. However, challenges to control delivered cell behavior remain a significant barrier to the clinical translation of MSC-based therapeutics.
Human platelet lysate (hPL) utilization and cell aggregation have each demonstrated the capacity to modulate a range of MSC outcomes, including cell number, phenotype, and secretome. The goal of this work was to investigate their potential application in MSC-based large bone defect repair. We pursued this objective through development of a bioluminescent cell tracking protocol and subsequent evaluation of these strategies for improved MSC survival and facilitated bone regeneration. Additional to engineering an efficacious MSC-based treatment for bone injury, this research aimed to relate key principles influencing cell-based tissue regeneration more globally.
