DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/VP3K-1Z57

Defense Date

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Biomedical Engineering

First Advisor

Rebecca Heise

Second Advisor

Priscilla Hwang

Third Advisor

Dennis Ohman

Abstract

Treatments for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are still unavailable and the prevalence of the disease has only increased due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Mechanical ventilation regiments are still utilized to support declining lung function, but they also contribute to lung damage and increase the risk of bacterial infection. The anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative abilities of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have shown to be a promising therapy for ARDS. We propose to utilize the regenerative effects of MSC secretome and the extracellular matrix (ECM) into a nanoparticle. Our mouse MSC (MMSC) ECM nanoparticles were characterized using size, zeta-potential, and mass spectrometry to evaluate their potential wound healing and antimicrobial abilities. The nanoparticles had an average size of 273.4 nm (±25.6) while possessing a negative zeta-potential, allowing them to surpass defenses and reach the distal regions of the lung. It was found that the MMSC ECM nanoparticles were biocompatible with MLE-12 and MMSCs, accelerate the wound closure of human lung fibroblasts, while inhibiting the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common lung pathogen. Our MMSC ECM nanoparticles display characteristics of healing injured lungs while preventing bacterial infection that can increase recovery time.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

5-4-2023

Share

COinS