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