Can Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit the Formation of Saccular Aneurysms?
Abstract
Intracranial saccular aneurysms are pathological dilations of cerebral blood vessels that can spontaneously rupture leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Our current understanding of saccular aneurysm pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of predisposing factors and inflammatory cascades, leading to an outpouching at the site of a vessel bifurcation. While several treatments exist today, none are aimed at preventing aneurysm formation. Mesenchymal stem cells are pluripotent cells that have interesting immunomodulatory properties and have been studied in the context of many inflammatory diseases. Few studies have addressed aneurysms and suggest that these cells have the potential to be adjuvants to current treatment modalities in treating fully formed aneurysms. This thesis details the first studies investigating the use of mesenchymal stem cells in preventing the formation of saccular aneurysms. A pre- clinical trial was conducted, as well as an in vivo localization experiment to determine the potential mechanism of action.
Description
Keywords
Animal Physiology, Biology--Cell, Neuroscience, Biophysics--Medical
Citation
Avery, M. B. (2017). Can Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit the Formation of Saccular Aneurysms? (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25202