Subproject 1
Differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells and defined subpopulations into muscle cells by way of biochemical and biomechanical stimulation
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be differentiated in vitro into muscle cells. Preliminary work showed that expression of CD146 defines an MSC subpopulation which has an osteogenic differentiation potential while CD146-negative MSCs only have a chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential.
Our working hypothesis is that CD146-negative MSCs show a differentiation potential that is suitable for the repair or regeneration of muscles. Therefore, in this project bone marrow and placental MSCs as well as defined subpopulations of these cells are expanded and undergo myogenic differentiation in vitro under normoxia as well as under hypoxia.
As the extracellular matrix can also modulate the differentiation of MSCs, defined basement membrane components are applied to rigid or elastic carriers and colonised with MSCs and subpopulations. Further analyses will be carried out to elucidate whether the myogenic differentiation of MSCs can be improved by biomechanical stimulation of the cells. The efficiency of myogenic differentiation will be assessed using cell and molecular biology methods. Cross-sectional project Q2 deals with the in vitro functional characterisation of myogenic cells; subproject 3 deals with the in vivo characterisation of the cells in animal models.
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Wilhelm Aicher
Department of Urology, Tübingen University Hospital,
Biotechnology Center (BTZ)
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Gerd Klein
Department of Internal Medicine II, Section for Transplantation Immunology and Immunohaematology, Tübingen University Hospital
PD Dr. med. Bernd Rolauffs
BG Trauma Hospital Tübingen, Siegfried Weller Institute for Trauma Research
Deputy Head of institute
Project team members
PD Dr. rer. nat. Melanie Hart
Department of Urology, Tübingen University Hospital
Senior scientist, Biotechnology Center (BTZ)
Tanja Abruzzese
Department of Urology, Tübingen University Hospital
Technician, Biotechnology Center (BTZ)
Tanja Seeger, MSc
Department of Internal Medicine II, Section for Transplantation Immunology and Immunohaematology, Tübingen University Hospital
Students
Current Papers:
Constantin Gehse, BS candidate; 2/15 - 7/15
Effect of 2D vs 3D hydrogels on mesenchymal stem cells
Patrick Erwied, BS candidate; 3/15 - 8/15
Generation of microspheres and microbeads to facilitate myogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.
Kourousch Cyrus Elahi, cand. med., 9/14 - 8/15
(IZKF-Promotionskolleg PK 2014-2-13):
Paracrine effects or in situ differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells in the large animal model of urinary incontinence.
Bettina Müller, can. med., 9/14 - 8/15
(IZKF-Promotionskolleg PK 2014-2-12):
Differentiation of human fat derived mesenchymal stromal cells into osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic and smooth muscular direction under normal and pro-inflammatoric conditions.
Alumni:
Elena Volkov, BS candidate, 9/14 - 2/15:
Optimization of microparticles for encapsulation of mesenchymal stem cells.
Sarah Zippusch, BS candidate, 7/14 - 2/15:
Optimization of microparticles for encapsulation of mesenchymal stem cells.
Marvin Kaupp, BS candidate, 2/14 - 6/14:
Myogenic differentiation of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stromal cells after expansion in different GMP medias.
Phong Nguyen, BS candidate, 2014:
Coating optimization of silicone membranes for the colonization of mesenchymal stromal cells.
Valentin Claus, BS candidate, 2014:
Establishment of an anti-transgelin immunofluorescence of MSC on coated silicone membranes.
Juliane Brun, BS candidate, 2013 - 2014:
Microspheres and microbeads for tissue engineering and tissue repair.
Sandrine Verpoorten, MS candidate, 2013 - 2014:
Injection of biomaterials and human MSC in tissue explants by waterjet technology.