Expansion and neural differentiation ex vivo of "Very Small Embryonic-Like (VSEL)stem cells

• Grant number: 11/02279-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2011
• End date: December 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Alexander Henning Ulrich
• Grantee: Claudiana Lameu
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 06/61285-9 - Molecular basis of differentiation of stem and neural progenitor cells, AP.TEM

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to establish a protocol for the differentiation of stem cells "very small embryonic-like" (VSEL) into neural phenotypes and characterize the expression and function of neurotransmitter receptors and investigate the role of NO in this differentiation process. It is believed that these cells are a population of mobile derived stem cells from bone marrow, and they have an important role as reserve cells that give rise to pluripotent stem cells committed to specific organs and tissues, including the neural tissue. Data from the group of Prof. Dr. Ratajczak indicate that VSEL could be a therapeutic alternative for the use of human embryonic stem cells. Many evidences show that stress-related 'stroke', triggers VSEL mobilization from the bone marrow and perhaps other stem cell niches in the peripheral blood. From hypothesis that could expand VSELs, differentiate into neural cells ex vivo, and use them in the regeneration of damaged neural tissue, did this project. To achieve these objectives we intend not only to apply conventional techniques for detecting gene and protein expression of markers of the respective stages of differentiation, but also a new strategy for imaging, the ImageStream System (ISS). This new analysis based on the ISS involving flow cytometry combined with microscopy and allows statistical analysis of various cell parameters. The technique of ISS relates to cell morphology (in migration or differentiation) phenotypically (state of differentiation, expression of receptors of interest) which can be applied in many different cell.