An investigation of mitochondrial dynamics and networks observed within human undifferentiated and differentiated cell lines
- Authors: Houseman, Pascalené Shannon
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mitochondria , Mitochondrial pathology , Degeneration (Pathology) , Mesenchymal stem cells , Neural stem cells , Cell lines , Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60687 , vital:27816
- Description: Mitochondrial dynamics refers to a series of constant division and fusion cycles that form interconnecting networks within healthy cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the byproducts of cellular redox reactions, and, when in excess, have been linked to degenerative diseases and aging. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) require a niche that presents with low levels of ROS; this enables the stem cell to maintain its “sternness”, the stem cell population, as well as the ability to adhere, migrate, and proliferate. If ROS levels increase within the MSC niche, inhibition of cellular adhesion and migration occurs. In contrast, neural stem cells require a niche that presents with a high level of ROS, aiding in their proliferative, self- renewing capacities. Investigations into what constitutes a healthy mitochondrial network versus the disease state of the network are required in order to determine what promotes degeneration and aging within stem cells. It was hypothesized that increased levels of ROS would stunt the ability of MSCs to attach and migrate, and hinder their abilities of proliferation and differentiation. In contrast, neuronal differentiation would present with an increased proliferation. This led to the investigation into the effects of ROS and oxidative stress, and the resulting mitochondrial dynamics, have on undifferentiated and differentiated mesenchymal stem and SH-SY5Y cells. Upon the addition of non-lethal S3I-201 (STAT3 has been linked to a reduction in ROS) to MSCs, an increase in ROS was observed. Higher concentrations of STAT3 inhibitor resulted in a decrease in MSC attachment and proliferation. When exposed to similar conditions, the SH-SY5Y cells underwent an increased proliferation; due to multiple restrictions, they were not used any further within the study. Mitochondrial dynamics were observed using a fusion promoter (M1) and a fission inhibitor (Mdivi-1); the MSCs were dosed with varying concentrations in order to determine the effects that mitochondrial dysfunction may have on the established networks, and cell survival. The mitochondria within MSCs migrated to the extensions of the cell, and displayed an alteration in morphology, or were clustered around the nucleus and/or the lipid deposits. These high density clusters correlated with a high intensity of fluorescence using 2’,7’- dichlorofluorescein diacetate. In conclusion, varying concentrations of ROS have different effects on MSCs in terms of overall maintenance and function; mitochondrial dynamics play an important role in cell survivability and the fate of stem cell differentiation. Further investigation into the mitochondrial dynamics and networks of these cell lines and their differentiated progeny is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Houseman, Pascalené Shannon
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mitochondria , Mitochondrial pathology , Degeneration (Pathology) , Mesenchymal stem cells , Neural stem cells , Cell lines , Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60687 , vital:27816
- Description: Mitochondrial dynamics refers to a series of constant division and fusion cycles that form interconnecting networks within healthy cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the byproducts of cellular redox reactions, and, when in excess, have been linked to degenerative diseases and aging. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) require a niche that presents with low levels of ROS; this enables the stem cell to maintain its “sternness”, the stem cell population, as well as the ability to adhere, migrate, and proliferate. If ROS levels increase within the MSC niche, inhibition of cellular adhesion and migration occurs. In contrast, neural stem cells require a niche that presents with a high level of ROS, aiding in their proliferative, self- renewing capacities. Investigations into what constitutes a healthy mitochondrial network versus the disease state of the network are required in order to determine what promotes degeneration and aging within stem cells. It was hypothesized that increased levels of ROS would stunt the ability of MSCs to attach and migrate, and hinder their abilities of proliferation and differentiation. In contrast, neuronal differentiation would present with an increased proliferation. This led to the investigation into the effects of ROS and oxidative stress, and the resulting mitochondrial dynamics, have on undifferentiated and differentiated mesenchymal stem and SH-SY5Y cells. Upon the addition of non-lethal S3I-201 (STAT3 has been linked to a reduction in ROS) to MSCs, an increase in ROS was observed. Higher concentrations of STAT3 inhibitor resulted in a decrease in MSC attachment and proliferation. When exposed to similar conditions, the SH-SY5Y cells underwent an increased proliferation; due to multiple restrictions, they were not used any further within the study. Mitochondrial dynamics were observed using a fusion promoter (M1) and a fission inhibitor (Mdivi-1); the MSCs were dosed with varying concentrations in order to determine the effects that mitochondrial dysfunction may have on the established networks, and cell survival. The mitochondria within MSCs migrated to the extensions of the cell, and displayed an alteration in morphology, or were clustered around the nucleus and/or the lipid deposits. These high density clusters correlated with a high intensity of fluorescence using 2’,7’- dichlorofluorescein diacetate. In conclusion, varying concentrations of ROS have different effects on MSCs in terms of overall maintenance and function; mitochondrial dynamics play an important role in cell survivability and the fate of stem cell differentiation. Further investigation into the mitochondrial dynamics and networks of these cell lines and their differentiated progeny is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
An investigation of the correlation of mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial DNA methylation, mitochondrial network topology and adipogenesis in the human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal stem cell model
- Authors: Kadye, Rose
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62637 , vital:28222
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kadye, Rose
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62637 , vital:28222
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Biochemical characterisation and small molecule modulation of the interaction between two cytosolic Hsp70s from Trypanosoma brucei and potential co-chaperones
- Authors: Bentley, Stephen John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63402 , vital:28407
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bentley, Stephen John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63402 , vital:28407
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Biophysical monitoring of unphosphorylated STAT3 homodimerization
- Mtwebana, Sinethemba Siphokazi
- Authors: Mtwebana, Sinethemba Siphokazi
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63957 , vital:28514
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mtwebana, Sinethemba Siphokazi
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63957 , vital:28514
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Development of a low-cost bioprinting system for the fabrication of cell-laden sodium alginate hydrogels
- Authors: Honiball, John Robert
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Regenerative medicine , Tissue engineering , Alginates , Colloids , Three-dimensional printing
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59204 , vital:27470
- Description: Bioprinting is a rapidly expanding technology with the ability to fabricate in vitro 3D tissues in a layer-by-layer manner to ultimately produce a living tissue which physiologically resembles native in vivo tissue functionality. Unfortunately, large costs associated with commercially available bioprinters severely limit the amount of people/research groups with access to the technology. Here, we investigated the potential for modifying a commercially available RepRap Prusa iteration 3 (i3) three-dimensional (3D) printer, by replacing the traditional plastic-based print-head with various open-source syringe-housed microextrusion print-head units, such that deposition of composite bioinks consisting of cells, biopolymer scaffolds and/or biomolecules may be achieved at a relatively low cost. Using adipose-derived human mesenchymal stromal stem cells (ad-HMSC) induced for adipogenic differentiation, as well as human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), the potential for fabricating vascularised adipose tissue was investigated. The non-toxic, inexpensive algal polysaccharide, sodium alginate, was used to test the printability of the system, as well as for investigating the functionality unmodified sodium alginate has for use as a potential bioink in adipose tissue engineering. Cell viability assays, namely WST-1 and fluorescein diacetate (FDA)/propidium iodide (PI) live/dead cell staining, revealed that ad-HMSC were viable after 7 days of culture. However, viability of HUVEC encapsulated hydrogels revealed significantly lower cell viability. Live/dead cell staining revealed that the modified printing system was able to print ad-HMSC/HUVEC co-cocultures with a large degree of cell viability after 1 day of culture. However, after 7 days of culture, the majority of cells were revealed to be dead. Furthermore, due to the lack of mechanical integrity possessed by alginate in a liquid-like state, printing sodium alginate hydrogels in air consistently resulted in deformation of printed constructs. The newly developed 3D printing technique termed freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels (FRESH) was therefore investigated as a means for achieving 3D spatial control of printed hydrogels using the modified system. Printing cell-free sodium alginate hydrogels within gelatin sacrificial support baths allowed for fabricating constructs in a spatially defined manner. However, overprinting and swelling of alginate hydrogels negatively affected the overall printing accuracy. The present study aimed to pave the way for further system modifications and refinements, such that the ultimate goal of low-cost bioprinting may be achieved. Further optimisation of printing parameters, hydrogel characteristics and sterilisation techniques may allow for fabricating viable, physiologically relevant tissues using the modified system developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Honiball, John Robert
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Regenerative medicine , Tissue engineering , Alginates , Colloids , Three-dimensional printing
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59204 , vital:27470
- Description: Bioprinting is a rapidly expanding technology with the ability to fabricate in vitro 3D tissues in a layer-by-layer manner to ultimately produce a living tissue which physiologically resembles native in vivo tissue functionality. Unfortunately, large costs associated with commercially available bioprinters severely limit the amount of people/research groups with access to the technology. Here, we investigated the potential for modifying a commercially available RepRap Prusa iteration 3 (i3) three-dimensional (3D) printer, by replacing the traditional plastic-based print-head with various open-source syringe-housed microextrusion print-head units, such that deposition of composite bioinks consisting of cells, biopolymer scaffolds and/or biomolecules may be achieved at a relatively low cost. Using adipose-derived human mesenchymal stromal stem cells (ad-HMSC) induced for adipogenic differentiation, as well as human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), the potential for fabricating vascularised adipose tissue was investigated. The non-toxic, inexpensive algal polysaccharide, sodium alginate, was used to test the printability of the system, as well as for investigating the functionality unmodified sodium alginate has for use as a potential bioink in adipose tissue engineering. Cell viability assays, namely WST-1 and fluorescein diacetate (FDA)/propidium iodide (PI) live/dead cell staining, revealed that ad-HMSC were viable after 7 days of culture. However, viability of HUVEC encapsulated hydrogels revealed significantly lower cell viability. Live/dead cell staining revealed that the modified printing system was able to print ad-HMSC/HUVEC co-cocultures with a large degree of cell viability after 1 day of culture. However, after 7 days of culture, the majority of cells were revealed to be dead. Furthermore, due to the lack of mechanical integrity possessed by alginate in a liquid-like state, printing sodium alginate hydrogels in air consistently resulted in deformation of printed constructs. The newly developed 3D printing technique termed freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels (FRESH) was therefore investigated as a means for achieving 3D spatial control of printed hydrogels using the modified system. Printing cell-free sodium alginate hydrogels within gelatin sacrificial support baths allowed for fabricating constructs in a spatially defined manner. However, overprinting and swelling of alginate hydrogels negatively affected the overall printing accuracy. The present study aimed to pave the way for further system modifications and refinements, such that the ultimate goal of low-cost bioprinting may be achieved. Further optimisation of printing parameters, hydrogel characteristics and sterilisation techniques may allow for fabricating viable, physiologically relevant tissues using the modified system developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Discovery and validation of a CD4 binding aptamer through Crossover SELEX towards the preliminary development of a point-of-care aptasensor for rapid CD4+ T-cell counting
- Authors: Fellows, Tamika
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63527 , vital:28431
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Fellows, Tamika
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63527 , vital:28431
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Investigating the viability and performance of a pilot scale Fly Ash/Lime Filter Tower (FLFT) for greywater treatment and the fate of Triclosan post treatment
- Authors: Nondlazi, Sinoyolo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63704 , vital:28473
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nondlazi, Sinoyolo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63704 , vital:28473
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Key considerations for novel aptamer generation and aptasensor platform design: a case study on human α-thrombin and histamine as sensor targets
- Authors: Ho, Lance St John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63534 , vital:28432
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ho, Lance St John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63534 , vital:28432
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The current utility of oligonucleotide aptamers in targeting the MUC1 mucin tumour marker
- Authors: Flanagan, Shane Patrick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62969 , vital:28348
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Flanagan, Shane Patrick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62969 , vital:28348
- Description: Expected release date-April 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
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