Establishment of neuronal cell models for the study of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy for nerve regeneration

Al-Maswary, Arwa Ahmed Abdullah (2021). Establishment of neuronal cell models for the study of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy for nerve regeneration. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Although low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is well highlighted as an adjunct therapeutic tool for bone regeneration, the potential therapeutic effect of LIPUS on nerve regeneration for regenerative endodontics and nerve injuries has been inadequately studied. This project aimed to investigate the effect of LIPUS as a potential non-invasive adjunct/therapeutic method for neuronal regeneration. Consequently, neuronal cell models were established by differentiation of two different cell types: human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) for in vitro LIPUS experimentation. These neuronal cell models showed neuronal characteristics such as neuronal-like cell morphology, gene and immunocytochemical expression of neuronal markers, and neuro-electrophysiological recordings (sodium and potassium voltage-gated currents). These data indicated selective differentiation into a functional cholinergic sensory (nociceptive) neuronal lineage. The LIPUS study demonstrated that LIPUS induced cell proliferation of the neuronal cell models assessed by metabolic-based assays and cellular proliferation protein marker (Ki-67). The ERK/MAPK signalling pathway was activated in the neuronal differentiation of the neuronal cell models and LIPUS-induced proliferation processes assessed by phospho-ERK levels with either differentiation or proliferation assays. Therefore, this project mainly showed that hDPSCs can be differentiated into functional cholinergic sensory neuronal-like cells and LIPUS stimulates cell proliferation of the neuronal cell models which highlight the LIPUS as potential sole/adjunctive therapeutic approach for nerve/neuronal regeneration.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):