Enxertos livres de pele de espessura total são indicados para cobrir grandes defeitos de pele em superfícies flexoras ou em extremidades distais e sofrem lesão por isquemia e reperfusão pela própria natureza do procedimento cirúrgico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar a associação de células tronco mesenquimais de origem adiposa (ADSCs) heterólogas a enxertos cutâneos autólogos de espessura total em ratos Wistar. Enxertos de 12 mm de diâmetro foram executados no dorso de 30 ratos, em dois locais: cranial e caudal. Os ratos foram distribuídos em seis grupos (n=5): grupo ADSC_G recebeu, no enxerto, 1x106 ADSCs em 200 μL de Solução Salina 0,9% (SS); grupo ADSC_B recebeu 1x106 ADSCs em 200 μL de SS na borda do leito receptor; grupo ADSC_GB, metade da mesma suspensão na borda e outra metade no enxerto. Os grupos controle, SS_G e SS_B, receberam apenas SS no enxerto ou nas bordas respectivamente. No grupo S, o enxerto não recebeu nenhum tratamento durante as cirurgias. Curativos do tipo tie-over permaneceram até o 5º dia. Na cirurgia (d0), aos 5 (d5) e 14 (d14) dias de pós-operatório, os desenhos dos enxertos foram digitalizados e suas áreas mensuradas (software ImageJ). As avalições clínicas consideraram peso, presença de secreções e ocorrência de epidermólise. A planimetria demonstrou a taxa de pele normal, de pele avermelhada e de ulceração, assim como a contração dos enxertos entre os intervalos d0–d5, d5-d14 e d0-d14. As amostras dos enxertos foram obtidas em d14 para coloração com Hematoxilina e eosina e Tricrômico de Masson. A epiderme foi avaliada para espessamento, ceratose, acantose, degeneração hidrópica, infiltrado inflamatório. A derme foi avaliada quanto a rarefação pilosa, tecido de granulação, infiltrado inflamatório, deposição de colágeno. Os resultados foram expressos em média e desvio padrão, e a análise estatística utilizou as Equações de Estimações Generalizadas (GEE), com nível de significância de 5%. O grupo ADSC_G apresentou melhores aspectos macroscópicos, menos ocorrência de epidermólise e de rarefação pilosa e uma das menores médias de área de ulceração, juntamente com os outros grupos tratados com ADSCs. O grupo ADSC_G demonstrou as menores médias de alterações histopatológicas como: espessamento da epiderme, degeneração hidrópica, tecido de granulação. O mesmo grupo ficou entre as menores médias de acantose e infiltrado inflamatório na derme, ao mesmo tempo que apresentou as maiores médias de VEGF no subcutâneo e no tecido de granulação. Dessa forma, pode-se concluir que as ADSCs protegeram os enxertos dos efeitos deletérios da isquemia, assim como e sugerem-se novos estudos em fases iniciais da cicatrização para compreensão dos mecanismos envolvidos. / Evaluation of adipose derived stem cells (ADSC) effect on full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) as a wound healing model in ischemic conditions. Two 12 mm diameter FTSGs were harvested and placed onto dorsal recipient beds of twenty-four Wistar rats, in two anatomic regions: cranial and caudal. Rats were randomized into five groups. Before grafting, group E FTSGs received subfascial injection of 1X106 ADSCs diluted in 200 μL of physiologic saline. Group EC FTSGs received only physiologic saline. Group B received ADSCs in the recipient bed edges; group C received physiologic saline in the edges. Group ADSC_GB received the same ADSCs number and volume, half in the graft and half in the edges. Using planimetry, grafts were analyzed for graft´s contraction rate (d0, d5, d14), normal skin rate and occurrence of epidermolysis and failure rate (d14). FTSGs samples were obtained on the d14 to hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s Trichrome staining for epidermal analysis (epidermal thickening, keratosis, acanthosis, hydropic degeneration, inflammatory infiltrate) and dermal analysis (hairless, granulation tissue, inflammatory infiltrate, collagen deposition). The obtained results were expressed by mean (n=5). Statistical significance (p<0,05) was calculated using Generalized Estimating Equations. The ADSC_G group had better macroscopic aspects, less occurrence of epidermolysis and hairless and one of the lowest averages of ulceration area, along with the other groups treated with ADSCs. The ADSC_G group showed the lowest mean on the histopathological changes measured such as thickening of the epidermis, hydropic degeneration, less granulation tissue. The same group was among the lowest acanthosis and inflammatory infiltrate averages in the dermis, while presented with the greatest of VEGF average in the subcutaneous and in the granulation tissue. Thus it can be concluded that the ADSCs may have protected the grafts from the deleterious effects of ischemia and suggest new studies in the early stages of healing to understand the mechanisms involved.

Enxertos livres de pele de espessura total são indicados para cobrir grandes defeitos de pele em superfícies flexoras ou em extremidades distais e sofrem lesão por isquemia e reperfusão pela própria natureza do procedimento cirúrgico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar a associação de células tronco mesenquimais de origem adiposa (ADSCs) heterólogas a enxertos cutâneos autólogos de espessura total em ratos Wistar. Enxertos de 12 mm de diâmetro foram executados no dorso de 30 ratos, em dois locais: cranial e caudal. Os ratos foram distribuídos em seis grupos (n=5): grupo ADSC_G recebeu, no enxerto, 1x106 ADSCs em 200 μL de Solução Salina 0,9% (SS); grupo ADSC_B recebeu 1x106 ADSCs em 200 μL de SS na borda do leito receptor; grupo ADSC_GB, metade da mesma suspensão na borda e outra metade no enxerto. Os grupos controle, SS_G e SS_B, receberam apenas SS no enxerto ou nas bordas respectivamente. No grupo S, o enxerto não recebeu nenhum tratamento durante as cirurgias. Curativos do tipo tie-over permaneceram até o 5º dia. Na cirurgia (d0), aos 5 (d5) e 14 (d14) dias de pós-operatório, os desenhos dos enxertos foram digitalizados e suas áreas mensuradas (software ImageJ). As avalições clínicas consideraram peso, presença de secreções e ocorrência de epidermólise. A planimetria demonstrou a taxa de pele normal, de pele avermelhada e de ulceração, assim como a contração dos enxertos entre os intervalos d0–d5, d5-d14 e d0-d14. As amostras dos enxertos foram obtidas em d14 para coloração com Hematoxilina e eosina e Tricrômico de Masson. A epiderme foi avaliada para espessamento, ceratose, acantose, degeneração hidrópica, infiltrado inflamatório. A derme foi avaliada quanto a rarefação pilosa, tecido de granulação, infiltrado inflamatório, deposição de colágeno. Os resultados foram expressos em média e desvio padrão, e a análise estatística utilizou as Equações de Estimações Generalizadas (GEE), com nível de significância de 5%. O grupo ADSC_G apresentou melhores aspectos macroscópicos, menos ocorrência de epidermólise e de rarefação pilosa e uma das menores médias de área de ulceração, juntamente com os outros grupos tratados com ADSCs. O grupo ADSC_G demonstrou as menores médias de alterações histopatológicas como: espessamento da epiderme, degeneração hidrópica, tecido de granulação. O mesmo grupo ficou entre as menores médias de acantose e infiltrado inflamatório na derme, ao mesmo tempo que apresentou as maiores médias de VEGF no subcutâneo e no tecido de granulação. Dessa forma, pode-se concluir que as ADSCs protegeram os enxertos dos efeitos deletérios da isquemia, assim como e sugerem-se novos estudos em fases iniciais da cicatrização para compreensão dos mecanismos envolvidos. / Evaluation of adipose derived stem cells (ADSC) effect on full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) as a wound healing model in ischemic conditions. Two 12 mm diameter FTSGs were harvested and placed onto dorsal recipient beds of twenty-four Wistar rats, in two anatomic regions: cranial and caudal. Rats were randomized into five groups. Before grafting, group E FTSGs received subfascial injection of 1X106 ADSCs diluted in 200 μL of physiologic saline. Group EC FTSGs received only physiologic saline. Group B received ADSCs in the recipient bed edges; group C received physiologic saline in the edges. Group ADSC_GB received the same ADSCs number and volume, half in the graft and half in the edges. Using planimetry, grafts were analyzed for graft´s contraction rate (d0, d5, d14), normal skin rate and occurrence of epidermolysis and failure rate (d14). FTSGs samples were obtained on the d14 to hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s Trichrome staining for epidermal analysis (epidermal thickening, keratosis, acanthosis, hydropic degeneration, inflammatory infiltrate) and dermal analysis (hairless, granulation tissue, inflammatory infiltrate, collagen deposition). The obtained results were expressed by mean (n=5). Statistical significance (p<0,05) was calculated using Generalized Estimating Equations. The ADSC_G group had better macroscopic aspects, less occurrence of epidermolysis and hairless and one of the lowest averages of ulceration area, along with the other groups treated with ADSCs. The ADSC_G group showed the lowest mean on the histopathological changes measured such as thickening of the epidermis, hydropic degeneration, less granulation tissue. The same group was among the lowest acanthosis and inflammatory infiltrate averages in the dermis, while presented with the greatest of VEGF average in the subcutaneous and in the granulation tissue. Thus it can be concluded that the ADSCs may have protected the grafts from the deleterious effects of ischemia and suggest new studies in the early stages of healing to understand the mechanisms involved.

The ability to tune the properties over a wide range of values by changing the additives, composition, etc., has made chalcogenide glassy semiconductors, most interesting from both fundamental physics as well as technology point of view. In particular, the occurrence of the two network topological thresholds namely the Rigidity Percolation Threshold (RPT) and the Chemical Threshold (CT) and their influence on various properties of chalcogenide glasses have been of immense interest during the last three decades. The Rigidity Percolation Threshold (also known as the Stiffness Threshold or Mechanical Threshold) corresponds to the composition at which the material transforms from a floppy polymeric glass to a rigid amorphous solid, whereas at Chemical Threshold the sample tends towards an ordered state. Though the rigidity percolation has been considered for long to occur at a critical threshold defined by the constraint’s theory, the recent theoretical and experimental investigations have found the RPT to occur over a range of compositions. In systems exhibiting an extended rigidity percolation, two distinct transitions namely from a floppy to an isostatically rigid phase and from an isostatically rigid to a stressed rigid phase are seen. In the category of chalcogenide glasses, tellurides have been found to exhibit interesting properties including the phenomenon of electrical switching which finds applications in Phase Change Memories (PCM). Studies on various thermal, electrical and photoelectrical properties of glassy tellurides help us in identifying suitable materials for different technological applications. This thesis deals with Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC) & Temperature Modulated Alternating Differential Scanning Calorimetric (ADSC) studies, electrical switching investigations, photoconductivity & photothermal measurements on certain metal doped telluride glasses. The composition dependence of properties such as glass transition & crystallization temperatures, switching voltage, thermal diffusivity, photosensitivity, etc., have been analyzed to obtain information about topological thresholds, thermally reversing window, etc. The first chapter of thesis provides an overview of properties of amorphous semiconductors, in particular chalcogenide glasses. The local & defect structure, the electronic band structure & electrical properties, electrical switching behavior, etc., are discussed in detail. The theoretical aspects related to the experiments undertaken in this thesis work have also been described. The instrumentation used for various experiments conducted to measure thermal, electrical, photoelectrical and photothermal properties have been discussed in chapter two. The chapter three deals with the photocurrent measurements on As40Te60-xInx (7.5 ≤ x ≤ 16.5) glasses. In these samples, it has been found that the photocurrent increases with illumination, which is understood on the basis of the large dielectric constant and also due to the presence of a large number of positively charged defect states. Further, the composition dependence of the conductivity activation energy and the photosensitivity exhibit a maximum at x = 12.5 (<r> = 2.65) and a minimum at x = 15.0 (<r> = 2.70) which has been identified to be the Rigidity Percolation Threshold (RPT) and the Chemical Threshold (CT) respectively. The results of electrical switching, DSC and Photothermal Deflection (PTD) studies on As20Te80-xGax (7.5 ≤ x ≤ 18.5) glasses, undertaken to elucidate the network topological thresholds, are described in chapter four. It has been found that all the As20Te80-xGax glasses studied exhibit memory type electrical switching. The switching voltage (VT) of these glasses increases monotonically with x, in the composition range 7.5 ≤ x ≤ 15.0. The increase in VT with gallium addition leads to a local maximum at x = 15.0 and VT decreases with x thereafter, reaching a distinct minimum at x = 17.5. Based on the variation with composition of the electrical switching voltages, the composition x = 15.0 and x = 17.5 have been identified to be the rigidity percolation and chemical thresholds of the As20Te80-xGax glassy system respectively. Further, the DSC studies indicate that As20Te80-xGax glasses exhibit a single glass transition (Tg) and two crystallization reactions (Tc1 & Tc2) upon heating. There is no appreciable change in Tg of As20Te80-xGax glasses with the addition of upto about10 atom% of Ga, whereas a continuous increase is seen in the crystallization temperature (Tc1). It is interesting to note that both Tg and Tc1 exhibit a maximum at x = 15.0 and a minimum at x = 17.5, the compositions identified to be the RPT and CT respectively by the switching experiments. The composition dependence of thermal diffusivity estimated from the PTD signal, indicate the occurrence of an extended stiffness transition in As20Te80-xGax glasses, with the compositions x = 9.0 and x = 15.0 being the onset and the completion of an extended rigidity percolation. A maximum and a minimum are seen in the thermal diffusivity respectively at these compositions. Further, a second maximum is seen in the thermal diffusivity of As20Te80-xGax glasses, the Chemical Threshold (CT) of the glassy system. The fifth chapter of the thesis describes the ADSC, electrical switching and photocurrent measurements on Ge15Te85-xInx (1 ≤ x ≤ 11) glasses. It is found there is not much change in the Tg of Ge15Te85-xInx glasses in the composition range 1 ≤ x ≤ 3. An increase is seen in Tg beyond x = 3, which continues until x = 11. Further, the composition dependence of non-reversing enthalpy shows the presence of a thermally reversing window in the compositions range x = 3 and x = 7. Electrical switching studies indicate that Ge15Te85-xInx glasses exhibit threshold type of switching at input currents below 2 mA. It is observed that switching voltages decrease initially with indium addition, exhibiting a minimum at x = 3, the onset of the extended rigidity percolation as revealed by ADSC. An increase is seen in VT above x = 3, which proceeds till x = 8, with a change in slope (lower to higher) seen around 7 atom% of indium which corresponds to the completion of the stiffness transition. The reversal in trend exhibited in the variation of VT at x = 8, leads to a well defined minimum around x = 9, the chemical threshold of the Ge15Te85-xInx glassy system. Photocurrent measurements indicate that there is no photodegradation in Ge15Te85-xInx glasses with x < 3, whereas samples with x ≥ 3 show photodegradation behavior. The composition dependent variation in the glass transition temperature has been attributed for this behavior. Further, the composition dependence of photo sensitivity has been found to show the signatures of the extended rigidity percolation and the chemical threshold in Ge15Te85-xInx glasses. The last chapter of thesis (chapter six) summarizes the results obtained and also the scope of future work to be undertaken.

Užití biologických materiálů k náhradě tkání v plastické chirurgii ! Abstrakt v angličtině Background: Biological meshes are biomaterials consisted of extracellular matrix and used in surgery particularly for hernia treatment or thoracic wall reconstruction. They are capable of vascularization, that decreases risk of infection, expecially when used in contaminated fields. This study compared the strength of incorporation and biocompatibility of two porcine-derived grafts (cross-linked and non-cross-linked) in a rat hernia model. In addition, we hypothesized that combination of extracellular matrices with autologous mesenchymal stem cells used for hernia repair would result in increased vascularization and increased strength of incorporation. Methods: Standardized 2 x 4 cm fascial defect was created in 42 Wistar rats and repaired with a cross-linked or a non-cross-linked graft either enriched or non-enriched with stem cells. The rats were sacrificed 3, 6 and 12 months later. The strength of incorporation, vascularization, cellular invasion, foreign body reaction and capsule formation were evaluated. Results: Comparison of stem cell enriched and non-enriched groups showed no significant differences in the capsule thickness, foreign body reaction, cellularization or vascularization. In the non-cross-linked...

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) were first discovered in bone marrow and can be isolated from “virtually all organs”. They could participate in tissue maintenance and self-renewing process. They are able to adhere to plastic surfaces and acquire a fibroblastic shape when isolated. They are characterized by a particular phenotype and are able to differentiate into several cell types if cultivated in a specific induction medium. These characteristics were defined on MSC in culture and do not represent how they may be in situ.MSC present particular properties. They can secrete growth factors and several cytokines that give them a trophic activity on one hand and the ability to modulate the immune system on the other hand. They are also able to differentiate. These different properties make them an attractive candidate for cell therapy.MSC are already the focus of several pre-clinical and clinical studies. Nevertheless, the results of these studies are difficult to interpret due to limited understanding of their basic biology. MSC are poorly defined in situ and are heterogeneous. Their heterogeneity is dictated by their tissue of origin and cell preparation. To date, there is no standard protocol for MSC isolation and culture. This leads to numerous questions regarding patient safety, and these questions require answers.The first part of the work deals with the methods used to optimize the extraction of MSC and purification from adipose tissue, one of the main sources of autologous MSC with bone marrow. Classical methods require an enzymatic digestion step. The enzyme used and the duration of adipose tissue digestion time can induce cellular alterations and modify cell functions. Moreover, the addition of a xenobiotic increases the risk of contamination and complicates the monitoring of good manufacturing practices (GMP). We propose a method that does not require this enzymatic digestion step while being easier, safer, faster, gentler and less expensive. Compared to the classical enzymatic method, our method yields an equivalent number of MSC from adipose tissue while preserving their properties.The second part of this work focuses on the characterization of the MSC subpopulations from adipose tissue and compares them to those from bone marrow, which are the historical gold standard. The study made it possible to deepen the knowledge of MSC surface markers in situ from these 2 sources. It also evaluated the various properties of the isolated subpopulations thanks to the cell surface markers CD271, SUSD2, MSCA-1, CD44 and CD34. We showed that MSC from bone marrow express MSCA-1, CD271 and SUSD2 markers in situ. We also found that a population clearly positive for the CD34 does exist in situ with different properties compared to those of the unselected populations or the negative counterpart. 2 populations that are negative and positive for CD44 also exist with similar properties.In contrast to bone marrow MSC, only one selection was able to effectively isolate MSC from adipose tissue by a positive selection based on the expression of CD34. We also isolated a CD271+ population but only from lipoaspirate samples and not from abdominoplasty samples. Collectively, our results suggest that MSCA-1 seems to be the best marker through which to isolate MSC from bone marrow and that CD34 is the only marker able to positively isolate cells from adipose tissue. Thus, we show that the MSC from the different sources share similar properties although they have specific characteristics. The choice of the source and of the marker with which to isolate a particular subpopulation is important depending on their intended clinical use. / Les cellules stromales mésenchymateuses multipotentes (CSM) ont été mises en évidence dans la moelle osseuse et peuvent être isolées de « virtuellement tous les organes ». Elles participeraient à la maintenance et au renouvellement des tissus. Une fois isolées, elles sont capables d’adhérer à des surfaces en plastique en prenant une forme fibroblastique. Elles sont caractérisées par un phénotype particulier et peuvent se différencier en divers types cellulaires lorsque cultivées dans un milieu d’induction spécifique. Ces caractéristiques ont été définies sur les CSM en culture et ne reflètent pas forcément ce qui se passe in situ.Les CSM présentent des propriétés particulières. Elles peuvent sécréter des facteurs de croissance ainsi que de nombreuses cytokines qui leur permettent d’une part d’avoir une activité trophique et d’autre part de moduler le système immunitaire. Elles sont aussi capables de se différencier. Ces différentes propriétés les rendent particulièrement attractives pour la thérapie cellulaire.Les CSM font déjà l’objet de nombreuses études pré-cliniques et cliniques dont les résultats sont difficilement interprétables car nous n’avons à l’heure actuelle qu’une compréhension limitée de leur biologie de base. Les CSM sont encore mal définies in situ et sont hétérogènes. Cette hétérogénéité provient de leur différence d’origine et de leur préparation cellulaire :il n’existe aucune standardisation des protocoles d’isolation et de culture. Cette hétérogénéité entraine de nombreuses questions relatives à la sécurité du patient qui doivent être élucidées.La première partie de ce travail cherche à optimiser les méthodes d’extraction et de purification des CSM du tissu adipeux humain, la principale source de CSM autologues avec la moelle osseuse. Les méthodes classiques requièrent une étape de digestion enzymatique dont l’enzyme utilisée et le temps de digestion du tissu adipeux peuvent induire des altérations cellulaires et modifier leurs fonctions. De plus, l’adjonction de xénobiotiques augmente le risque de contamination et complique le suivi des bonnes pratiques de fabrication (BPF). Nous proposons une méthode qui s’affranchit de cette étape de digestion enzymatique tout en étant plus facile, plus sûre, plus rapide, moins chère et moins traumatisante pour les cellules. Elle permet d’obtenir un nombre tout aussi important de CSM du tissu adipeux que la méthode enzymatique classique en préservant leurs propriétés.La deuxième partie de ce travail vise à caractériser les sous populations de CSM du tissu adipeux humain en les comparant à celles de la moelle osseuse, source de référence historique. Cette étude a permis d’approfondir la connaissance des marqueurs de surface des CSM de ces 2 sources in situ, tout en évaluant les différentes propriétés des sous-populations isolées grâce aux marqueurs de surface CD271, SUSD2, MSCA-1, CD44 et CD34. Nous avons montré que les CSM de la moelle osseuse expriment les marqueurs MSCA-1, CD271 et SUSD2 in situ et qu’il existait une sous-population clairement positive pour le CD34 avec des propriétés différentes de celles de la population non sélectionnée ou négative pour ce marqueur. Il existe aussi 2 sous-populations positive et négative pour le CD44 avec des propriétés similaires.Contrairement aux CSM de la moelle osseuse, une seule sélection a permis d’isoler efficacement les CSM du tissu adipeux par une sélection positive sur base de l’expression du CD34. Nous avons pu aussi isoler une population CD271+ mais seulement des prélèvements de lipoaspirations et non des abdominoplasties.Au vu de nos résultats, MSCA-1 semble le meilleur marqueur pour isoler les CSM de la moelle osseuse tandis que le CD34 est le seul marqueur capable d’isoler positivement celles du tissu adipeux. Ainsi, nous montrons que les CSM issues de différentes sources partagent des propriétés similaires avec cependant des caractéristiques propres. Le choix de la source et du marqueur pour isoler une sous-population sont donc importants en fonction de leur utilité clinique envisagée. / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques (Médecine) / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Užití biologických materiálů k náhradě tkání v plastické chirurgii ! Abstrakt v angličtině Background: Biological meshes are biomaterials consisted of extracellular matrix and used in surgery particularly for hernia treatment or thoracic wall reconstruction. They are capable of vascularization, that decreases risk of infection, expecially when used in contaminated fields. This study compared the strength of incorporation and biocompatibility of two porcine-derived grafts (cross-linked and non-cross-linked) in a rat hernia model. In addition, we hypothesized that combination of extracellular matrices with autologous mesenchymal stem cells used for hernia repair would result in increased vascularization and increased strength of incorporation. Methods: Standardized 2 x 4 cm fascial defect was created in 42 Wistar rats and repaired with a cross-linked or a non-cross-linked graft either enriched or non-enriched with stem cells. The rats were sacrificed 3, 6 and 12 months later. The strength of incorporation, vascularization, cellular invasion, foreign body reaction and capsule formation were evaluated. Results: Comparison of stem cell enriched and non-enriched groups showed no significant differences in the capsule thickness, foreign body reaction, cellularization or vascularization. In the non-cross-linked...