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Mesenchymal stromal cells and biological scaffolds for neural tissue regeneration
Kočí, Zuzana ; Kubinová, Šárka (advisor) ; Filová, Eva (referee) ; Zach, Petr (referee)
Despite tremendous progress in medicine, injuries of the adult central neural system remain without satisfactory solution. Regenerative medicine employs tissue engineering, cellular therapies, medical devices, gene therapy, or growth factors with the aim to bridge the lesion, re-establish lost connections and enhance endogenous repair in order to restore neural function. The aim of my thesis was to evaluate therapeutic potential of two approaches, transplantation of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) and biological scaffolds derived from extracellular matrix (ECM) for neural regeneration, particularly in models of spinal cord injury (SCI). First, hMSCs from various sources - bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AT) and Wharton's jelly (WJ) - were isolated and characterized in vitro. All cell types met the minimal criteria for MSC phenotype and displayed similar properties in terms of their surface marker expression, differentiation potential, migratory capacity, and secretion of cytokines and growth factors. On the other hand, the cell yield from WJ and AT was significantly higher, and MSCs isolated from these tissues proliferated better than from BM. Therapeutic effect of intrathecal application of hWJ-MSCs was then evaluated in SCI compression model in rats. The effect of low (0.5 million) and...
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The role of ageing in the changes of the brain extracellular matrix and extracellular space properties
Kamenická, Monika ; Vargová, Lýdia (advisor) ; Růžička, Jiří (referee)
The process of aging causes the major changes in nervous tissue such as changes in the size of brain, architecture of glial cells and extracellular matrix. The size of brain is on the decrease as consequence of aging and there is a change of molecules as well as morphology at all levels. Extracellular space (ECS) is interstitium important especially in communication between cells mediated by diffusion. The limit of diffusion in extracellular space is given by size of ECS, which is discribed by volume fraction and tortuosity, that reflect amount of diffusion barriers. The changes of ECS diffusion parameters during aging were measured by real-time iontophoretic method in four parts of brain (cortex - Cx, hippocampus - Hp, inferior colliculus - IC and corpus trapezoideum - TB). Further, we studied influence of deficiency of Bral2 link protein at differences of ECS diffusion parameters and importance of Bral2 protein at aging and regulation mechanisms of cytotoxic brain edema. Our results show, that aging leads to decreasing of ECS volume v Cx and Hp, but it was not observed in IC and TB, where the intact perineuronal nets act like protecting shield against the degenerative disease induced by aging. However, small differences in composition of perineuronal nets, deficiency of Bral2 link protein, may...
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The role of link proteins in the stabilization of the brain extracellular matrix and in formation and maintaining of the perineuronal nets
Suchá, Petra ; Vargová, Lýdia (advisor) ; Jendelová, Pavla (referee)
The brain extracellular space (ECS) contains specified macromolecules forming the extracellular matrix (ECM), containing a high amount of negative charges that could bind water or other soluble ions and molecules diffusing within the ECS. In specific brain areas, the ECM molecules form a condensed, reticular-like structure of perineuronal nets (PNNs). It has been found that PNNs appear at the end of the critical period, when they stabilize the synapses and terminate their plasticity and may have also neuroprotective function. To study the role of brain link protein 2 (Bral2) in stabilizing the ECM complexes, we employed the real-time iontophoretic method and immunohistochemical analysis to show the difference in the ECS diffusion parameters and level of expression of the ECM molecules between the wild type and Bral2-deficient mice. We also compared changes in the ECS diffusion parameters induced by Bral2 deficiency with those appeared after enzymatic destruction of the ECM by the chondroitinase ABC (chABC). In the Bral2-deficient mice, we discovered significantly decreased values of tortuosity in the trapezoid body. This difference was age related and did not manifest itself in young mice. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that inferior colliculus does not contain Bral2-brevican based...
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The localization and transport of extracellular matrix proteases
Lyková, Dominika ; Tolde, Ondřej (advisor) ; Doubravská, Lenka (referee)
Metastasis is the main cause of death from solid cancer. The dissemination of cancer cells from a primary tumour is a very complex process that involves many steps and cells must overcome many obstacles to colonize distant organs. The tumour microenvironment influences the mode and the dynamics of invasion of cancer cells. Cancer cells have the ability to adapt to distinct environmental conditions in order to stay motile. Invasive cancer cells form membrane protrusions called invadopodia that are able to degrade extracellular matrix. The formation of invadopodia by cancer cells is interconnected to the production of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). Metastasizing tumour cells use MMPs to break through extracellular matrix barriers and migrate in dense matrix. Both invadopodia formation and MMPs secretion is crucial for the degradation of the extracellular matrix. The most important is the membrane bound MMP-14 (MT1-MMP) and soluble MMP-2 and MMP-9. The invasive structures of tumour cells and the proteolytic enzymes in 2D environment is well described. However, a suitable model of localization and transport of MMPs and connection with invadopodia of tumour cells in 3D environment is still lacking. This diploma thesis focused on the extension of current knowledge of these key MMPs and on the...
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Methodological study of changes in mechanical properties of collagen tissues from pes equinovarus congenitus
Červený, Gustav ; Lopot, František (advisor) ; Eckhardt, Adam (referee)
The goal of this thesis was to invent and perform a testing protocol, witch can detect connective tissue mechanical and structural properties simultaneously in patients with clubfoot. Based on literature findings, it was presumed that connective tissue differ between medial and lateral side of foot. Because of low availability of specimen, it was important to draw and mention crucial alterations of testing protokol, for minimization of failed measurments. For reasons above, two specimens diveded into two samples was used for experiment. Described and discused methodics may enable of reader to insigt to drawbacks of this examination. For usability of this protocol, a setting and testing of few hypotheses was performed. One axis tensial testing with SHG microscopy examination was used in combination for experiment. One of the main result was finding, that structural differencies witch were expected, were not distinctive in samples in untensioned state. But, distingtive differencies may be drawed in tensioned samples. This differences for low number of specimen, cannot show any tendence. Results of tensial testing showed, that samples from medial side of foot can have higher toughness and higher fragility. For future acquisition of tendencies in specimen differencies, it is important to set particular...
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Invasive structures of cancer cells in 3D environment
Lyková, Dominika ; Tolde, Ondřej (advisor) ; Libusová, Lenka (referee)
The ability of cells to migrate through tissue barriers plays an important role in physiological and pathological processes including immune response or invasiveness of cancer cells. The cells generate cytoplasmic protrusions called podosomes and invadopodia, collectively known as invadosomes or podosome-type adhesions (PTA), which are thought to be the key structures of cell invasion, especially of cancer cells during metastasis. Invadosomes are F-actin rich cell-matrix contacts with capability to degrade extracellular matrix components and are observed both in normal cells (such as monocytic cells, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells) and in cancer cells. This bachelor thesis is focused on those in cancer cells, their initiation, regulation, function and morphology in 3D and in vivo and their requirement for tumor metastasis.
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Extracellular matrix in yeast populations
Novotná, Pavla ; Kuthan, Martin (advisor) ; Dvořáček, Lukáš (referee)
The microorganisms in a natural environment are frequently found in multicellular forms, most commonly in biofilms. Biofilm is characterized as a community of cells living at the interface of two environments, embedded in the extracellular matrix. ECM is a significant component of biofilms in yeast populations. Extracellular matrix acts as a protective barrier and allows cells to survive under adverse conditions and better compete with other microorganisms. It also forms an effective barrier against antibiotics and other harmful substances, what makes biofilms a serious problem in medicine and industry. Formation of the matrix may be influenced by the morphological forms of colonies. Increased formation of ECM is commonly connected in phenotypic switching in response to changes of their living conditions. The compositeion of the ECM is a genus-and species-specific. The main component of the matrix consists of polysaccharides and proteins.
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Use of biological materials for tissue substitution in plastic surgery
Měšťák, Ondřej ; Sukop, Andrej (advisor) ; Brychta, Pavel (referee) ; Dražan, Luboš (referee)
Užití biologických materiálů k náhradě tkání v plastické chirurgii ! Abstrakt v angličtině Background: Biological meshes are biomaterials consisted of extracellular matrix and used in surgery particularly for hernia treatment or thoracic wall reconstruction. They are capable of vascularization, that decreases risk of infection, expecially when used in contaminated fields. This study compared the strength of incorporation and biocompatibility of two porcine-derived grafts (cross-linked and non-cross-linked) in a rat hernia model. In addition, we hypothesized that combination of extracellular matrices with autologous mesenchymal stem cells used for hernia repair would result in increased vascularization and increased strength of incorporation. Methods: Standardized 2 x 4 cm fascial defect was created in 42 Wistar rats and repaired with a cross-linked or a non-cross-linked graft either enriched or non-enriched with stem cells. The rats were sacrificed 3, 6 and 12 months later. The strength of incorporation, vascularization, cellular invasion, foreign body reaction and capsule formation were evaluated. Results: Comparison of stem cell enriched and non-enriched groups showed no significant differences in the capsule thickness, foreign body reaction, cellularization or vascularization. In the non-cross-linked...
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Cell and Molecular Characterization of Failed Human Corneal Grafts. The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Recurrent Corneal Melting.
Brejchová, Kristýna ; Jirsová, Kateřina (advisor) ; Smetana, Karel (referee) ; Heissigerová, Jarmila (referee)
The aim of this work was to investigate the contribution of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to recurrent corneal melting. Twenty three melted corneas from seven patients were separated into three groups: a) patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, b) those with rheumatoid arthritis and c) those with other corneal melting underlying pathologies. Eleven cadaverous corneas served as controls. The presence of MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -9, and -13 was detected using indirect enzyme immunohistochemistry. The active forms of MMP-2 and -9 and MMP- 3 and -7 were examined by gelatin and casein zymography, respectively. The concentrations of active MMP-1 and -3 were measured using activity assays. Increased immunostaining intensity for MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -8 and -9 was shown in the corneal epithelium and the stroma of almost all melted corneas from all three groups compared to the negative or slightly positive staining of the controls. In the endothelium, immunostaining for MMP-2 and MMP-9 was increased in most specimens of groups II and III and group I, respectively. A markedly higher level of active MMP-2 was detected in six, and active MMP-9 in all, pathologic specimens compared to the controls. In contrast to the completely negative controls, the proenzymes of MMP-3 and -7 were detected in almost all melted...
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Analysis of the effects of Src kinase inhibitors on adhesion signaling in human hematopoietic cells
Obr, Adam ; Kuželová, Kateřina (advisor) ; Jiroušková, Markéta (referee)
Adhesion of hematopoietic cells to the bone marrow microenvironment is important for their proper development. It is proven that Src-family kinases (SFK) regulate cell adhesion, although their exact role in the regulation of adhesion signaling remains unclear. Since adhesion processes are investigated mainly in adherent cell types, far less is known about hematopoietic cells. However, defects in the cell adhesion accompany a number of hematological diseases, like chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). SFK overexpression is one of the proposed mechanisms of resistance to the first-line CML treatment, imatinib mesylate. Second generation drugs (e. g. dasatinib) inhibit SFK together with Bcr-Abl. Additionally, SFK-specific inhibitors (PP2, Src inhibitor-1) are also available, but there are no studies about effects of these drugs on cellular adhesivity of hematopoietic precursors. To explore the dynamics of hematopoietic cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix, we introduced a new approach using the RTCA xCELLigence DP system along with the well-established method of fluorimetric detection of adherent cell fraction. Our general observation is that various drugs (dasatinib, imatinib, PP2, Src inhibitor-1) induce pro-adhesive effects in several leukemic cell lines. Direct comparison of the kinetics of...
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