| Popis: |
Cell therapy has shown promise in restoring the impaired dopaminergic innervation in Parkinson's disease patients. However, high outcome variability and risk of side effects, such as tumors and graft-induced dyskinesias restrain applicability of this approach. Transplantation of neurons at mature stage would to control the differentiation quality of the graft and reduce the risks associated with graft composition. Neurons matured on 2D substrates are difficult to transplant due to the fragility of extended neurites. Thus, this thesis evaluates the possibility of differentiating and transplanting mature neurons on 3D macroporous cryogel scaffold. Carboxymethyl cellulose cryogels, coated with laminin 111 by means of covalent crosslinking, provide a mechanical support during neuronal differentiation, without altering the resulting phenotype. Further, a proof-of-principle of minimally invasive transplantation of cryogel-supported neurons into mice shows preservation of neurites one month after intracerebral implantation. Upon development, cryogel scaffold have the potential to drastically enhance current cell therapy approaches. |
