Project Details
Projekt
Analysis of the Developmental Potential of USSC in vitro and in vivo
Applicant
Professor Dr. Jürgen Schrader
Subject Area
Hematology, Oncology
Term
from 2007 to 2011
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 20803802
Cardiomyogenic differentiation of USSCs was successfully demonstrated in co-culture, and invivo, USSCs transplanted into the infracted rat heart was shown to improve cardiac function despite significant loss of transplanted cells over time. We now aim to define the cellular and molecular mechanism(s) underlying USSC-mediated cardiac repair and to improve the quality of transplanted USSC by taking the following steps. Firstly, heart interstitial fluid (obtained in “reversed heart” model) will be subject to differential proteomic (DIGE) and cytokine/chemokine (Bioplex) analysis to define potential bio-effective paracrine factors released from USSC-treated hearts. Secondly, the role of inflammatory (CD45+, CD11b+, CD3+) and resident cardiac stem cells (c-kit+, ist1+) will be quantitatively assessed in center, border and remote zone of the infarct heart by FACS analysis as well as by using of 19F-MRI in vivo. Thirdly, cardiac committed cell will be generated by genetic overexpression of SOX17, TBX5 and MEF2c in USSCs and the functional relevance will be investigated in co-culture and in-vivo experiments to determine whether this will enhance the survival and integration of USSCs after transplantation.
DFG Programme
Research Units
