• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

  • About
    • About AAAS
    • About the NSF
    • About the Conference
    • Partners/Supporters
    • Project Team
  • Conference
  • Abstracts
    • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
    • Graduate Abstract Locator
    • Abstract Submission Process
    • Presentation Schedules
    • Abstract Submission Guidelines
    • Presentation Guidelines
  • Travel Awards
  • Resources
    • Award Winners
    • Code of Conduct-AAAS Meetings
    • Code of Conduct-ERN Conference
    • Conference Agenda
    • Conference Materials
    • Conference Program Books
    • ERN Photo Galleries
    • Events | Opportunities
    • Exhibitor Info
    • HBCU-UP/CREST PI/PD Meeting
    • In the News
    • NSF Harassment Policy
    • Plenary Session Videos
    • Professional Development
    • Science Careers Handbook
    • Additional Resources
    • Archives
  • Engage
    • Webinars
    • ERN 10-Year Anniversary Videos
    • Plenary Session Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Neuronal Differentiation For Transplantation Therapy: Role of Matrix Components

Undergraduate #61
Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Cell and Molecular Biology

Shontiara Johnson - University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Co-Author(s): Malathi Srivatsan, Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR Chetan Pandanaboina, Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR Dustin Rhoads, Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR



Neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries affect millions of people worldwide when functional units of the nervous system, neurons, are unable to function and die. Since neurons do not divide, unlike other cells in the body, and cannot replace themselves once they are lost, cell transplantation therapy is being proposed as a cure for these diseases. However, transplantation therapy requires a large number of neurons and neural stem cells (NSCs) which have the potential to differentiate into neural cells such as neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Researchers are trying different methods such as using growth factors, small molecules and cell-released vesicles known as exosomes from different tissue sources to increase neuronal differentiation from NSCs. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that give rise to extracellular matrix (ECM), blood vessels, cartilage, bone, and muscle. Since MSCs and NSCs develop together, we hypothesized that MSC-derived molecules and vesicles including exosomes could influence neural differentiation. To test this hypothesis, conditioned medium was collected from mesenchymal stem cell culture and exosomes were isolated from the conditioned medium using Norgen Midi Exosome isolation kit (Norgen BioTek, Canada). Rat neural stem cells were then differentiated using (1) Conditioned medium (2) Isolated exosomes (3) Conditioned medium depleted of exosomes for one week to see if beneficial components obtained from different conditions would promote neuronal differentiation. Our initial results suggested that the medium of mesenchymal stem cells consists of neuronal differentiation promoting as well as inhibitory molecules and exosomes isolated from mesenchymal stem cells help promote differentiation of more neurons.

Not Submitted

Funder Acknowledgement(s): NSF grant #1348389 to Dr. Srivatsan

Faculty Advisor: Malathi Srivatsan, msrivatsan@astate.edu

Role: I propagated both mesenchymal stem cells and neural stem cells, did experimentation with both groups of cells, and immunostained the cells.

Sidebar

Abstract Locators

  • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
  • Graduate Abstract Locator

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

AAAS

1200 New York Ave, NW
Washington,DC 20005
202-326-6400
Contact Us
About Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The World’s Largest General Scientific Society

Useful Links

  • Membership
  • Careers at AAAS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Focus Areas

  • Science Education
  • Science Diplomacy
  • Public Engagement
  • Careers in STEM

Focus Areas

  • Shaping Science Policy
  • Advocacy for Evidence
  • R&D Budget Analysis
  • Human Rights, Ethics & Law

© 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science