Inhibition of myofibroblast contraction

Although current medical procedures cannot restore complete function of a transected nerve, inserting both of its ends in a tube helps it regenerate. The regenerate is inferior to the uninjured nerve: it has a smaller diameter and poorer electrical conduction. Layers of contractile cells known as myofibroblasts have been observed around regenerated nerve portions. An inverse relationship between the layer thickness and the quality of the regenerate has also been observed. These findings suggest that the cells are exerting contractile forces which prevent the regenerating nerve from fully developing. Inhibiting this contraction should thus improve the quality of nerve regeneration. Alpha smooth muscle actin ([alpha]-SMA) is a critical contractile protein. Its expression can be upregulated by the growth factor TGF-[beta]1, and blocked by the pharmacological agent PP2. To investigate whether blocking SMA expression alone can inhibit myofibroblast contraction, NR6 wild type fibroblasts were seeded into short cylindrical collagen-GAG matrices, and administered either media alone, media with TGF-[beta]1 (3ng/ml), or media with TGF-[beta]1 and PP2 (10 [mu]M). Non-seeded matrix samples were also prepared. The matrix diameters were measured every day for 12 days, after which the matrices were digested and the number of adhered cells were counted. The daily change in matrix diameter was calculated. The results showed that the cells contracted the matrices. TGF-[beta]1 increased cell contractility, while PP2 inhibited it..

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Corin, Karolina A. (Karolina Ann), 1981-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Ioannis V. Yannas.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/32381

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/32381