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Maternal-fetal cellular trafficking: clinical implications and consequences
Knížková, Karolina ; Černý, Jan (advisor) ; Petr, Jaroslav (referee)
Microchimerism is the presence of small population of cells with a different genetic information within the organism, which can result from bidirectional transfer of the cells between the mother and fetus during pregnancy. It is very studied phenomenon whose biological role is not clear yet. The presence of fetal cells in mother's body is associated with both positive and negative effects on maternal health. Microchimerism plays a role in cancer or autoimmune disease and it is implicated in development of tolerance mechanisms during pregnancy. Microchimerism could be used in prenatal diagnostics for aneuploidies or in prediction of complications during pregnancy.
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The effect of carbon nanostructures on human cell behavior and the role of fetal bovine serum in cell adhesion
Verdánová, Martina ; Hubálek Kalbáčová, Marie (advisor) ; Brábek, Jan (referee) ; Smetana, Karel (referee)
Graphene (G) and nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) are carbon allotropes and promising nanomaterials with an excellent combination of their properties, such as high mechanical strength, electrical and thermal conductivity, possibility of functionalization and very high surface area to volume ratio. For these reasons, G and NCD are employed next to electronics in biomedical applications, including implant coating, drug and gene delivery and biosensing. For a fundamental characterization of cell behavior on G and NCD, we studied osteoblast adhesion and proliferation on differently treated G and NCD. Generally, both G and NCD exhibited better properties for osteoblast cultivation than control tissue culture polystyrene. Better cell adhesion but lower cell proliferation were observed on NCD compared to G. The most surprising finding was that hydrophobic G with nanowrinkled topography enhanced cell proliferation extensively, in comparison to hydrophilic and flat G and both NCDs (hydrophobic and hydrophilic) with slightly higher roughness. Promoted cell proliferation enables faster cell colonization of G and NCD substrates, meaning faster new tissue formation which is beneficial in biomedical applications. Furthermore, it was shown that osteoblast adhesion was promoted in the initial absence of fetal bovine...
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Liver Regeneration with aplication of hematopoetic stem cells after portal vein embolization in pacients with primary inoperative colorectal liver metastases
Fichtl, Jakub ; Třeška, Vladislav (advisor) ; Šnajdauf, Jiří (referee) ; Šubrt, Zdeněk (referee)
Introduction: The reason for the inability of performing the liver resection for colorectal carcinoma metastasis is usually insufficient remnant liver parenchyma after liver resection (future liver remnant volume - FLRV). The current standard method of increasing FLRV is the embolization of the branch of portal vein (portal vein embolization - PVE) on the side of the tumor, and then suspended after hypertrophy of the non-embolised lobe liver resection. Unfortunately, there are some patients who do not increase liver volume despite perfectly executed PVE. Besides that, FLRV occurs during the time necessary for hypertrophy progression of metastatic disease. Therefore, we are trying to find the appropriate way to encourage the growth of remaining liver parenchyma and accelerate hypertrophy of the contralateral liver lobe. From our previous experience (IGA MZ NS 10240), it is possible to be optimistic that there hope is the way of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC - adult stem cells) after previous PVE to non-embolised branches of the portal vein. These cells do not only accelerate liver regeneration, but are also able to improve its function (function of the liver) which is especially important for patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (steatohepatitis or steatofibrosis), and for patients with...
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Legal aspects of the research into stem cells
Tichá, Jolana ; Šustek, Petr (advisor) ; Salač, Josef (referee)
- anglicky This thesis deals with legal aspects of stem cell research, which in the case of the Czech Republic remains quite disregarded by the general public. The text examines and analyzes the legislation regulating the aforementioned field of research at the international, European and Czech national level in a comprehensive manner. Particular emphasis is placed on legal aspects of embryonic stem cell research, which is also closely related to the legal status of embryo and its protection. The thesis also notes what types of regulatory approaches are adopted in various countries with respect to stem cell research and it subsequently demonstrates these conclusions by examples of Slovak Republic and the United Kingdom. Explanation is set in a broader framework through the introductory chapters that deal with biological and ethical aspects of stem cell research.
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Molecular mechanisms of physiological renewal and cancer transformation of mammalian gastrointestinal tissues
Stančíková, Jitka ; Kořínek, Vladimír (advisor) ; Macůrková, Marie (referee) ; Machoň, Ondřej (referee)
The plot of this PhD thesis is dedicated to investigation of the molecular pathways and events and their disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract (further abbreviated as GIT). The major role in this part plays the Wnt signaling pathway. This marvelous multipurpose machinery is responsible for epithelia renewal from stem cells (SCs) in the stomach and intestine, and for correct zonation and function of hepatic units. Of note, the Wnt pathway directs also development of embryo as well as homeostasis of many tissues apart from GIT in all metazoans, thus its flawless function is indispensable from one's origin to death. The main part of the thesis follows canonical Wnt signaling in its physiological condition and, in contrast, with pathological disturbances. This issue can be taken by variety of means as it is described in attached publications. The first publication deals with searching for new participants of Wnt signaling and their functions and describing unique markers of SCs in the intestine. Troy, the member of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, was identified as a novel marker of intestinal SCs by probing microarray data from chromatin immunoprecipitation obtained in cultured colorectal cancer cell lines. Moreover, we found that Troy is a Wnt target gene inhibiting the...
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Legal aspects of the research of stem cells
Šolc, Martin ; Šustek, Petr (advisor) ; Salač, Josef (referee)
The thesis deals with an issue of legal aspects of stem cell research with a special emphasis on the use of embryonic stem cells which is connected with the most of ethical and legislative controversies. At first, there are presented biological and ethical aspects of the topic necessary for its understanding. The thesis further analyses related legislation relevant for the research conducted in the Czech Republic. With respect to international law, the thesis focuses mainly on the Council of Europe system of protection of human rights. Then, the thesis presents regulation in primary and secondary European Union law. In the two final chapters, there is presented Czech regulation in the constitutional order (in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms) and laws, which is then viewed in European context as moderately permissive and relatively well prepared. Its greatest weakness is the lack of discussion about the topic in the Czech public.
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Stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injury
Juříková, Tereza ; Jendelová, Pavla (advisor) ; Krulová, Magdaléna (referee)
Stem cells are unique thanks to their ability to differentiate into all cell types and self-renewal. They can be used for repairing and functional recovery of various tissues and organs. Regenerative medicine, progressive medical field, use these properties to give a chance to patients with yet incurable health complitations. These include spinal cord injury, which results in huge demyelination and disorders in neurological function. Mesenchymal stem cells contribute to recovery of damaged tissue thanks to its immunomodulatory abilities and production of a number of growth factors. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into the functional nerve cells, however its use is connected with the posibility of tumorigenesis and also ethical problems. Promising results gives a combinatorial treatment using biomaterials as scaffolds for cells or growth factors. The knowledge of genetic modification of cells will be used in the future. The aim of this thesis is to sumarise current knowledge of the spinal cord treatment with emphasis on tissue specific stem cells. Key words: stem cells - spinal cord injury - tissue recovery - biomaterials
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Legal aspects of stem cell research
Šolc, Martin ; Elischer, David (referee) ; Frinta, Ondřej (referee)
The thesis deals with an issue of legal aspects of stem cell research with a special emphasis on the use of embryonic stem cells which is connected with the most of ethical and legislative controversies. At first, there are presented biological and ethical aspects of the topic necessary for its understanding. The thesis further analyses related legislation relevant for the research conducted in the Czech Republic. With respect to international law, the thesis focuses mainly on the Council of Europe system of protection of human rights. Then, the thesis presents regulation in primary and secondary European Union law. In the two final chapters, there is presented Czech regulation in the constitutional order (in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms) and laws, which is then viewed in European context as moderately permissive and relatively well prepared. Its greatest weakness is the lack of discussion about the topic in the Czech public.
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Public awareness of the issue of donating bone marrow
Buriánková, Hana ; Sojková, Monika (advisor) ; Klamová, Hana (referee)
The primary aim of this diploma thesis was to draw attention to the issue of bone marrow donation. The thesis focuses on the level of public awareness and people's significant doubts regarding bone marrow donation, as these doubts and apprehensions might be the main reason restraining them from entering the bone marrow donor register. The theoretical part provides a comprehensive summary of findings in this area. Substantial part addresses particular types of the hematopoietic cells taking process and the following donor treatment. The empirical part of this diploma thesis constitutes of a quantitative research, in which hundereds of respondents have been reached through an electronic questionnaire. Within exactly 10 days, 576 of them filed for the survey, 496 of them were valid and processed. The outcome of the research reflects strong need for raising factual public awareness in the area of hematopoietic cells donation, especially in respect to current donation methods. 79,51 % of respondents had no knowledge of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation method. 50,26 % of them admitted fear of the bone marrow donation procedure itself. Respondents taking part in the research showed great interest in the topic. 85,48 % of them would appreciate further education and 82,66 % assumes that...
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Immunogenicity of stem cells and their derivatives
Doležalová, Nikola ; Holáň, Vladimír (advisor) ; Kubinová, Šárka (referee)
Immunogenicity of stem cells and their derivatives Nikola Doležalová Abstract Stem cells (SCs) have the potential to be used in regenerative medicine on the basis of their differentiation capacity and promising immunological properties, including low expression of histocompatibility antigens and costimulatory molecules, or secretion of suppressive cytokines. Their immunogenicity has often been ignored in the past but it is becoming clear that rejection of genetically incompatible SCs represents a very common issue. At present, SCs are extensively studied from the immunological point of view, since it represents a critical aspect of the safety of SC therapy. This thesis presents an overview of current knowledge about immunogenicity of SCs and their derivatives, including both pluripotent SCs (embryonic and induced pluripotent SCs) and adult SCs (mesenchymal, limbal, neural, haematopoietic and umbilical cord blood SCs). The expression of immunologically relevant molecules on their surface and interaction with the immune cells in vitro and in vivo will be discussed, together with suggestions for overcoming the immunological barriers for transplantation. Detailed analysis of these aspects necessarily has to precede the safe clinical translation of SC therapies.
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