Characterization of Human Adult Olfactory Epithelium-derived Stem Cells
Author | : Charles Taylor Marshall |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 484 |
Release | : 2006 |
ISBN-10 | : OCLC:144651087 |
ISBN-13 | : |
Rating | : 4/5 (87 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: Our lab has developed techniques for the harvest and culture of adult human olfactory epithelium (OE), which generate cellular spheroids. Subculture of the spheroids results in a population of highly mitotic nestin-positive neural progenitors. The studies described in this dissertation characterize these adult OE-derived neurosphere forming cells (NSFCs). The therapeutic potential of NSFCs includes autologous transplantation, where minimal donor material is isolated, expanded, and lineage restricted prior to re-implantation. This strategy circumvents the ethical issues that arise with embryonic or fetal tissues and eliminate histocompatibility concerns. To evaluate the mitotic capacity of the NSFCs, telomerase activity, which remains high in progenitors, was determined by ELISA of NSFC lines and passages. Furthermore, SS-DNA levels were evaluated because progenitors express low apoptotic levels. Telornerase and apoptotic activities remained constant irrespective of donor age, culture duration, or sex. Nine caspases critical in apoptosis were evaluated using microarrays, comparing cells across a broad passage range. Caspase activity remained low and equivalent in all passages studied.