Angiogenesis is a normal and vital process that occurs during growth and development. Repair of bony defects, whether in the craniofacial complex or the alveolus, require an alloplastic or xenoplastic bone graft with angiogenic potential. This angiogenic potential is derived from existing blood vessels adjacent to the graft site. Improving the endogenous angiogenic potential with a molecule would drastically improve the survival rate of the bone graft material. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that specific stem cell lines treated with erythropoietin, a positive promoter of angiogenesis, may increase the erythropoietin receptor expression in-vitro. In addition, this study also evaluated the vascular branching in vitro of human umbilical vein-derived endothelial cells treated with erythropoietin in the matrigel assay. Human umbilical vein-derived endothelial cells were treated for seven days with four concentrations of erythropoietin and cellular branching was evaluated in the matrigel assay. human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and multi-potent cord blood derived unrestricted stromal stem cells were treated for seven days with erythropoietin and erythropoietin receptor expression was evaluated via reverse transcriptase real time polymerase chain reaction and real time polymerase chain reaction assays. The results of this study indicate that: erythropoietin had no effect on human umbilical vein-derived endothelial cells in the matrigel assay from a qualitative perspective, after treating multi-potent cord blood derived unrestricted stromal stem cells cells for 7 days with erythropoietin, there was no statistically significant difference between treatment groups when compared to control, and after treating human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells cells for 7 days with erythropoietin, the 20 U/ml treatment group showed a statistically significant reduction of the erythropoietin receptor as compared to the control group. / Biology

Rationale: Autologous bone marrow- or cardiac-derived stem cell therapy for heart disease has demonstrated safety and efficacy in clinical trials but has only offered limited functional improvements. Finding the optimal stem cell type best suited for cardiac regeneration remains a key goal toward improving clinical outcomes. Objective: To determine the mechanism by which novel bone-derived stem cells support the injured heart. Methods and Results: Cortical bone stem cells (CBSCs) and cardiac-derived stem cells (CDCs) were isolated from EGFP+ transgenic mice and were shown to express c-kit and Sca-1 as well as 8 paracrine factors involved in cardioprotection, angiogenesis and stem cell function. Wild-type C57BL/6 mice underwent sham operation (n=21) or myocardial infarction (MI) with injection of CBSCs (n=57), CDCs (n=31) or saline (n=57). Cardiac function was monitored using echocardiography with strain analysis. EGFP+ CBSCs in vivo were shown to express only 2/8 factors tested (basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor) and this expression was associated with increased neovascularization of the infarct border zone. CBSC and CDC therapy improved survival, cardiac function, attenuated adverse remodeling, and decreased infarct size relative to saline-treated MI controls. CBSC treated animals showed the most pronounced improvements in all parameters. By 6 weeks post-MI, EGFP+ cardiomyocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells could be identified on histology in CBSC-treated animals but not in CDC-treated animals. EGFP+ myocytes isolated from CBSC-treated animals were smaller, more frequently mononucleated, and demonstrated fractional shortening and calcium currents indistinguishable from EGFP- myocytes from the same hearts. Conclusions: CBSCs improve survival, cardiac function, and attenuate remodeling more so than CDCs and this occurs through two mechanisms: 1) secretion of the proangiogenic factors bFGF and VEGF (which stimulates endogenous neovascularization), and 2) differentiation into functional adult myocytes and vascular cells. / Physiology

The neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) has received much attention due to its potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (i.e., Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases). In this regard, discovering compounds that direct differentiation of NSCs is highly required to facilitate therapeutic applications. In this study, we examined various bioactive compounds (SA1, SA2, LiCl, compound B, and DHED) to induce the neuronal differentiation of human neural stem cells (hNSCs). The study was conducted on the cells grown in three dimensional (3D) hydrogel or two dimensional (2D) environment since 3D hydrogel mimics the extracellular matrix and provides physiologically more relevant environment than 2D cell culture system. Three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel systems in this study involve polysaccharides such as alginate and hyaluronic acid. Neuronal differentiation of hNSCs was monitored in genetic level and protein level by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunocytochemistry (ICC), respectively. This study will show the effect of bioactive compounds on hNSCs differentiation in 2D and 3D culture systems. / Bioengineering

The canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is essential for the proper regulation of cell-fate decisions throughout embryogenesis and in adult issues. Activation of the Wnt signaling pathway allows for nuclear localization of the cell adhesion protein β-catenin, which then interacts primarily with members of the T-Cell Factor/Lymphoid Enhancer Factor (TCF/LEF) transcription factor family to modulate gene activity. The TCF/LEF family includes TCF7, TCF7L1, TCF7L2, and LEF1. While all four family members share a common DNA binding consensus sequence, their expression throughout embryogenesis and adult stem cell populations is unique, with their misexpression commonly occurring in Wnt related cancers and correlating strongly with metastasis and poor patient outcomes. TCF/LEF exchange at target gene loci is a key feature of mediating context-specific cellular responses to Wnt signaling and can be observed to occur in a variety of populations throughout development and in adult stem cell populations. To model TCF/LEF exchange in vitro we have optimized a micropatterning fabrication and culture protocol capable of identifying and isolating discrete LEF1-only and TCF7L1-only populations during gastrulation-like processes. To characterize how complements of TCF/LEFs change during cellular divisions we have developed a novel mitotic chromatin proteomic technique. This method identifies LEF1 as the only TCF/LEF to remain associated with mitotic chromatin in Wnt-activated conditions in mouse embryonic stem cells that are transitioning out of pluripotency as a consequence of removing leukemia inhibitory factor from their culture medium. Additionally, gene targeting techniques were used to label endogenous LEF1 and TCF7L1 with different fluorescent proteins in a single mouse embryonic stem cell line, allowing us to use TCF/LEF protein expression as a reporter of Wnt/β-catenin pathway status, which we found to be capable of identifying a unique set of compounds that are undetected by traditional Wnt activity (TOP-Flash) reporter screens. By using gene editing technology, and novel applications of proteomic and cell culture techniques, we have been able to investigate the mechanisms driving TCF/LEF expression and exchange in mouse embryonic stem cells to identify potentially clinically relevant therapeutic targets for their potential use in addressing TCF/LEF dysregulation in cancer. We have identified a novel mechanism through which TCF/LEFs maintain cell fate over cellular division; presented a novel live-cell drug screening platform capable of identifying compounds missed by existing platforms; and presented an optimized cell culture technique for the isolation of TCF/LEF exchange events. Taken together, the work in this thesis provides new insights into the mechanisms through which TCF/LEFs regulate their gene targets during cell fate transitions and throughout mitosis. / Thesis / Doctor of Science (PhD) / Throughout development and adult life cells are in constant communication, using a variety of cell signaling pathways to maintain adult stem cell populations and to pattern tissues throughout the body. Communication between cells often requires one cell to release a protein molecule (called a ligand) that is recognized by a receptor molecule on the surface of another cell. These cell surface receptors, when bound by the signaling ligand become activated and often set of a cascade of internal cellular events that ultimately result in changes in gene transcription in the nucleus. These transcriptional changes are toggled by proteins known as sequence-specific transcription factors that are able to selectively regulate expression of target genes. The net effect of combinations of extracellular ligands binding cell surface receptors determines the selective recruitment of specific transcription factors that activate a cell’s transcriptional program, in turn defining its fate and function. A very important developmental signaling pathway is the Wnt signaling pathway, which employs a family of secreted Wnt molecules as ligands. The Wnt pathway is critical at all stages of organismal development and plays an essential role in tissue maintenance in mature animals. However, due to its critical role in stem cell maintenance, when mutations occur in Wnt signaling components it can have dire consequences. Wnt signaling has been found to be disrupted in more than 70-80% of all cancers. One major feature among these Wnt-related cancers is the inappropriate expression and mobilization of Wnt transcription factors. While the expression and activity of Wnt transcription factors – known as T-Cell Factor/Lymphoid Enhancer Factors (TCF/LEFs) – changes throughout development and stem cell maintenance, their inappropriate expression is frequently associated with metastasis and poor patient outcomes. We have used mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) as a model system with which to study the mechanisms employed by TCF/LEFs to regulate their target genes. Through a number of approaches, which include adding fluorescent tags to TCF/LEF factors to track their intercellular locations and expression levels or enzymatic tags to identify proteins that interact with individual TCF/LEFs during a snapshot of cell activity, we have gained new knowledge about how these critical transcription factors regulate Wnt-regulated transcriptional programs. We also describe a method for generating micropatterned growth surfaces for mESCs that forces clusters of cells to grow within small circular shapes with a diameter of 1 mm or less. We show that mESCs confined to circular micropatterns differentiate in a highly reproducible manner that allows us to study the cell populations undergoing differentiation with a focus on cell fate determination mechanisms.

yes / The cornea comprises a pool of self‐regenerating epithelial cells that are crucial to preserving clarity and visibility. Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs), which live in a specialized stem cell niche (SCN), are crucial for the survival of the human corneal epithelium. They live at the bottom of the limbal crypts, in a physically enclosed microenvironment with a number of neighboring niche cells. Scientists also simplified features of these diverse microenvironments for more analysis in situ by designing and recreating features of different SCNs. Recent methods for regenerating the corneal epithelium after serious trauma, including burns and allergic assaults, focus mainly on regenerating the LESCs. Mesenchymal stem cells, which can transform into self‐renewing and skeletal tissues, hold immense interest in tissue engineering and innovative medicinal exploration. This review summarizes all types of LESCs, identity and location of the human epithelial stem cells (HESCs), reconstruction of LSCN, and artificial stem cells for self‐renewal.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of diarthrodial joints causing pain and loss of joint function. Etiology is heterogeneous, but commonly involves inflammation arising from impairment of normal tissue homeostasis and/or function. A cycle of low-grade inflammation and global tissue degradation causes alteration of tissue morphology and function via primary mechanisms or inability to withstand physiological forces. Current therapies variably ameliorate symptoms but do not modify progression. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have multi-modal properties but are ineffective in ameliorating equine OA. However, anti-inflammatory activities of bone marrow derived MSCs (BMSCs) are enhanced by three-dimensional spheroid culture so equine BMSC (eBMSC) spheroids could inhibit intra-articular inflammation. The overarching hypothesis is that eBMSCs can be enhanced to produce an allogeneic eBMSC therapy that inhibits intra-articular inflammation. In vitro experiments compared differences in anti-inflammatory phenotype between spheroid and traditionally cultured monolayer eBMSCs, the viability and health of eBMSC spheroids administered through needles, and the effects of allogeneic donor on the anti-inflammatory potential of eBMSC spheroids. A model of equine LPS induced synovitis was used to investigate anti-inflammatory efficacy of spheroid eBMSCs compared to placebo or monolayer eBMSCs in vivo. eBMSCs aggregate into spheroids that have stable stem cell marker expression with increased secretion and gene expression of IL-6 and PGE2, and gene expression of SDF-1 and TSG-6. IFN𝛾 and TNFα were not produced by eBMSC spheroids and IL-10 production varied between individuals. Spheroids maintain higher viability and lower senescence than monolayer eBMSCs after injection through a needle and form in high-throughput culture without detrimental effects on expression of TSG-6, IL-6 and PGE synthases that denote an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Additionally, there is significant variation in this phenotype depending on the eBMSC donor. eBMSC spheroids reduced total nucleated cell counts and objective lameness measurements at peak levels of intra-articular inflammation compared to monolayer cultured eBMSCs in vivo. In summary, spheroids increase anti-inflammatory potential of eBMSCs and are practical for clinical use. Increased anti-inflammatory efficacy was demonstrated in a model of in vivo inflammation. This dissertation provides an understanding of the anti-inflammatory activities of eBMSC spheroids that can be used to develop an OA therapy. / Ph. D.

Tendon injuries are a significant cause of morbidity in performance horses with superficial digital flexor tendon injury reported to represent up to 43% of overall Thoroughbred racehorse injuries. Natural repair is slow and results in inferior structural organization and biomechanical properties and, therefore, reinjury is common. The inability of tendon to regenerate after injury, or to heal with mechanical properties comparable to the original tissue, is likely attributable to low vascularity and cellularity of the tissue, low number of resident progenitor cells, and healing under weight-bearing conditions. Strategies to improve tendon healing have focused on enhancing the metabolic response of tenocytes, modulating the organization of the newly synthesized extracellular matrix, or administering progenitor cells to enhance repair. Significant research effort has been directed at the use of adult mesenchymal stem cells as a source of progenitor cells for equine tendon repair and recent clinical applications have utilized adult autologous stem cells derived either from adipose tissue or bone marrow aspirates. Isolation of a homogenous population of stem cells from bone marrow is time-consuming, and there is much variation in cell numbers, cell viability and growth rates among samples. Recently, a population of progenitor cells has been isolated from equine flexor tendons, thus providing an alternative source of progenitor cells from the target tissue for therapeutic intervention. The interaction between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important factor in regulation of cell function. Proliferation, migration, differentiation and gene expression of many cell types are altered by adhesion to and interaction with matrix proteins and the extracellular environment. Tendon progenitor cells reside within a niche that comprises primarily parallel collagen fibers, and this niche plays an important role in regulating their function and differentiation. Culture conditions replicating this environment could be beneficial for both cell growth and matrix gene expression. The objectives of the study were to compare cell growth kinetics and biosynthetic capabilities of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and tendon derived progenitor cells (TPCs) cultured on commercially available bovine, highly purified bovine, porcine, and rattus collagen sources and standard tissue culture surfaces. We hypothesized that collagen type I matrix would preferentially support TPC proliferation and up regulate gene expression for collagens and organizational components of tendon and therefore provide a culture system and progenitor cell type with advantages over the current practice of BMMSC expansion on standard cell culture plastic surfaces. Cells were isolated from 6 young adult horses, expanded, and cultured on collagen-coated tissue culture plates, and no collagen control for 7 days. Samples were analyzed for cell number on days 4 and 7, and for mRNA expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and decorin on day 7. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis was analyzed on day 7. Differences of cell number between collagen groups and cell type, and in gene expression and GAG synthesis between collagen groups and cell types, were evaluated by use of mixed-model repeated measures ANOVA. Pair-wise comparisons were made on significant differences identified with ANOVA using Tukey's post hoc test. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. A statistical significant (P=0.05) increase in cell number for TPCs grown on rattus collagen versus control on day 4 was observed. No difference in GAG synthesis or expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, COMP or decorin mRNA was observed between collagen groups and non-collagen controls for either cell type on day 7. TPCs cultured on all collagen types yielded more cells than similarly cultured BMMSCs on day 4, but only porcine collagen was superior on day 7. TPCs synthesized more GAG than BMMSCs when cultured on control surfaces only. BMMSCs expressed more collagen type I mRNA when cultured on control, porcine and highly-purified collagen, and more collagen type III when cultured on control, porcine, highly-purified collagen, and rattus collagen, than TPCs. Tendon-progenitor cells expressed significantly more COMP when cultured on control and all collagen types, and decorin when cultured on porcine, highly purified bovine and bovine collagen when compared to BMMSCs. The results of this study revealed an advantage to culturing TPCs on randomly organized rattus collagen during the early growth phase. The beneficial effects of collagen-coated surfaces on cell proliferation is likely related to increased surface area for attachment and expansion provided by the random collagen matrix, and/or collagen-cell interactions. Tendon progenitor cells showed superior growth kinetics and expression of the matrix organizational components, COMP and decorin, than similarly cultured BMMSCs that expressed more collagen types III and I. TPCs synthesize more GAG compared to BMMSCs when cultured on plastic surfaces and there was no induction by collagen. Tendon progenitor cells should be considered as an alternative source of progenitor cells for injured equine tendons. Further in vitro studies characterizing factors that influence gene expression of both cell types is warranted. / Master of Science

Endotoxemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in horses. The presence of large amounts of circulating endotoxin inititates a number of cell signaling pathways leading to a systemic inflammatory response. Activation of these pathways causes the release of a number of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. An overwhelming release of these mediators leads to the development of clinical signs associated with endotoxemia. Treatment options are limited mostly to supportive care at this time. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to have anti-inflamamtory and immune modulatory effects that may have some benefit for the treatment of horses with endotoxemia. To evaluate the effect of equine MSCs on the response to endotoxin challenge, the study was performed on two different stem cell lines with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) used as controls. After stimulation with endotoxin, secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were determined by ELISA. The immunogenic properties of MSCs were assessed with a one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction. In addition, the ability of MSCs to alter production of cytokines from stimulated PBMCs was assessed. TNF-α was not produced by MSCs when compared to PBMCs (p = < 0.001). There was no significant difference between MSCs and PBMCs in the production of IL-6. IL-10 production was significantly different (p = <0.001) at 6 and 12 hours with MSCs producing more than PBMCs in one stem cell line only. MSCs did not stimulate proliferation of PBMCs. Co-incubation of MSCs with PBMCs decreased the production of TNF-α in both stem cell lines although it was not statistically significant (p = 0.4 and 0.9) at either time point. IL-6 secretion was suppressed at twelve hours with co-incubation. IL-10 production was increased with co-incubation in one stem cell line. MSCs secrete soluble factors that can alter PBMC cytokine production and they do not appear to be immunostimulatory. These findings have potential implication for treatment of equine inflammatory conditions. / Master of Science

Lesions of the distal deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) are frequently diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in horses with foot pain. The prognosis for horses with DDFT lesions to return to previous levels of performance is poor. Treatment options are limited; consisting of conservative therapy, desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon, injection of the digital sheath or navicular bursa, navicular bursoscopy or intralesional injection. Intralesional injection of biologic therapeutics shows promise in tendon healing, with increased number of experimental and clinical studies finding positive results. However, accurate injection of DDFT lesions within the hoof is difficult and requires general anesthesia. The Hallmarq open, low-field MRI unit was used to develop an MRI-guided technique to inject structures within the hoof. This procedure has been previously reported for injecting the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint. Four clinical cases of deep digital flexor tendinopathy have been treated with MRI-guided injections using a similar technique. The aim of this study was to evaluate accuracy of a technique for injection of the deep digital flexor tendon within the hoof using MRI-guidance, which could be performed in standing patients. We hypothesized that injection of the DDFT within the hoof could be accurately guided using open low-field MRI to target either the lateral or medial lobe at a specific location. Ten cadaver limbs were positioned in an open, low-field MRI unit to mimic a standing horse. Each DDFT lobe was assigned to have a proximal (adjacent to the proximal aspect of the navicular bursa) or distal (adjacent to the navicular bone) injection. A titanium needle was inserted into each tendon lobe, guided by T1-weighted transverse images acquired simultaneously during injection. Oil-based colored dye was injected as a marker. Post-injection MRI and gross sections were assessed by three blinded investigators experienced in equine MRI. The success of injection as evaluated on gross section was 85% (70% proximal, 100% distal). The success of injection as evaluated by MRI was 65% (60% proximal, 70% distal). There was no significant difference between the success of injecting the medial versus lateral lobe. The major limitation of this study was the use of cadaver limbs with normal tendons. The authors concluded that injection of the DDFT within the hoof is possible using MRI guidance. Future work should be focused on using the techniqe in live horses with tendon lesions, and more clinical studies are needed to determine the most efficacious biologic therapeutic for tendon healing. / Master of Science

Ovarian cancer is known as the "silent killer," due to its late diagnosis and frequent recurrence after initial treatment.  Finding a new way to diagnose and treat ovarian cancer in conjunction with current therapies is paramount.  By capitalizing on metabolic changes that occur during cancer progression, interventions can be developed.  The Nobel laureate Otto Warburg is credited with discovering an altered metabolic state within cancer cells known as the Warburg effect.  In the Warburg effect, cancer cells participate in an increased rate of aerobic glycolysis with an excess secretion of lactate, allowing for carbon flux into biosynthetic pathways.  Exactly which metabolic pathways are altered in ovarian cancer and at which stage in the progression of ovarian cancer they are occurring was unknown.  Therefore using the recently established mouse ovarian surface epithelial (MOSE) progression model, we were able to measure metabolic changes in varying states of disease and levels of aggressiveness.  As cells progressed from a benign early stage (MOSE-E), through a transitional intermediate stage (MOSE-I), to an aggressive late stage (MOSE-L), the MOSE cells became more glycolytic and lipogenic, establishing the MOSE model as a valuable model for studying ovarian cancer metabolism.  Treating the MOSE cells with the naturally occurring chemotherapeutic agent sphingosine decreased p-AKT  protein levels in the cell, decreased the glycolytic rate and decreased de novo cholesterol synthesis.  Cancer stem cells are known to be resistant to chemotherapy treatments and targeting their metabolism may be promising for combinatorial treatments.  Therefore, the metabolism of highly aggressive tumor-initiating cells (TIC), harvested from ascites of C57Bl/6 mice injected with MOSE-L cells were characterized.  Although the basal metabolism of the TICs was similar to the MOSE-L cells, TICs were more resistant to cell death as a consequence of external stresses and substrate depletion.  The TICs could also up-regulate oxygen consumption rate (OCR) when uncoupled and increase glycolysis when ATP Synthase was inhibited, highlighting their resiliency.  Taken together, we have identified targets for treatment strategies that could suppress the growth of primary tumors and may be effective against TICs, thereby suppressing tumor recurrence and possibly prolonging the life of women with ovarian cancer. / Ph. D.