Inflammatory processes are infamous for their destructive effects on tissues and joints in a variety of diseases. Within the body, inflammation is a highly regulated biological response whose purpose is to promote tissue regeneration following injury. However, in certain settings, inflammation persists and leads to progressive tissue destruction. This thesis focused on modulating inflammatory signaling in both contexts. Part I investigated the effects of a model pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), on the in vitro osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In contrast, Part II describes the development and in vivo evaluation of the first intra-articular controlled release system for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which silences inflammatory signaling and thus mitigates the painful joint damage seen in inflammatory TMJ disease. The following specific aims were addressed: (1) to determine the concentration of TNF-α that enhances in vitro osteogenic differentiation of MSCs; (2) to determine the temporal pattern of TNF-α delivery that enhances in vitro osteogenic differentiation of MSCs; (3) to determine the impact of bone-like extracellular matrix (ECM) on the concentration and temporal pattern of TNF-α delivery that enhances in vitro osteogenic differentiation of MSCs; (4) to evaluate the biocompatibility of intra-articular microparticles in the rat TMJ; (5) to develop a microparticle-based formulation for sustained release of a model anti-inflammatory small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA); and (6) to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of intra-articular microparticles delivering siRNA in an animal model of TMJ inflammation. These studies led to the development of powerful strategies to rationally control inflammation to promote bone regeneration and mitigate joint damage in the setting of disease, both of which will ultimately improve the quality and specificity of therapies available in modern medicine. / Only volume 2 has been digitized.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:RICE/oai:scholarship.rice.edu:1911/70361 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Mountziaris, Paschalia Maria |
| Contributors | Mikos, Antonios G. |
| Source Sets | Rice University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Text |
| Format | 155 p., application/pdf |
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