Project description:Carbon nanotubes are cylindrically-shaped carbon nanostructures, made up of layers of graphene rolled onto themselves, with diameters similar to those of neuronal processes. In the last decade, CNT have been used as biocompatible growing substrates for neuronal attachment, differentiation and growth. In the perspective of new developments in tissue engineering, and in particular in spinal cord repair strategies, based on the use of CNTs, our aim is to clarify the biophysical interactions between CNTs and spinal cord neurons, studying the development of the morphological and functional characteristics of spinal neurons grown on CNT-based interfaces. In this context, we used microarrays to show whether cultured dissociated spinal neurons show a difference in gene expression when grown in control conditions (polyornithine-covered substrates) or on CNT-based substrates. Gene expression profiling was evaluated from 3 replicates each of neurons grown on nanotubes and control conditions.
Project description:Carbon nanotubes are cylindrically-shaped carbon nanostructures, made up of layers of graphene rolled onto themselves, with diameters similar to those of neuronal processes. In the last decade, CNT have been used as biocompatible growing substrates for neuronal attachment, differentiation and growth. In the perspective of new developments in tissue engineering, and in particular in spinal cord repair strategies, based on the use of CNTs, our aim is to clarify the biophysical interactions between CNTs and spinal cord neurons, studying the development of the morphological and functional characteristics of spinal neurons grown on CNT-based interfaces. In this context, we used microarrays to show whether cultured dissociated spinal neurons show a difference in gene expression when grown in control conditions (polyornithine-covered substrates) or on CNT-based substrates.
Project description:Recent in vivo studies reported that inhaled carbon nanotube distribute in the alveolar region resulting in an acute inflammation, progressive fibrotic response and particle accumulation at the bronchoalveolar junction with low clearance. With similar biopersistence and shape as asbestos, a known lung carcinogen, growing concern has arisen for elevated risk of carbon nanotube-induced lung carcinogenesis; however few studies have evaluated long-term human health risks associated with chronic pulmonary carbon nanotube exposures compared to asbestos. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted subchronic in vitro exposures of dispersed single walled carbon nanotube, multi-walled carbon nanotube and crocidolite asbestos to human small airway epithelial cells to assess their neoplastic transformation potential. Subchronic single-, multi-walled carbon nanotube and asbestos exposures caused human lung cell neoplastic transformation exhibited by increased proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, invasion and angiogenesis. Whole genome profiling and protein expression analyses showed that carbon nanotube-induced transformation mechanism(s) was largely different from asbestos-related inflammatory signaling, suggesting specific carbon nanotube-induced carcinogenic potential. This study provides novel carbon nanotube and asbestos toxicogenomic information for risk assessment and an in vitro model to evaluate transformation potential of carbon nanotubes and other nanoparticles. Whole genome expression profiling was conducted on human immortalized small airway epithelial cells (SAEC-hTERT) following 6 month in vitro chronic exposure to six separate treatments to assess differences in carbon nanotube (CNT) vs. asbestos potential tumorigenesis signaling. Dispersed single wall CNT (D-SWCNT), multi-wall CNT (D-MWCNT), ultrafine carbon black (D-UFCB), crocidolite asbestos (ASB) and saline (SAL) exposed cells were compared to SurvantaM-BM-. dispersant (DISP) passage control cells. Each treatment possessed 3 biological cDNA replicates. One technical replicate was performed per biological sample.
Project description:Summary: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a damage to the spinal cord induced by trauma or disease resulting in a loss of mobility or feeling. SCI is characterized by a primary mechanical injury followed by a secondary injury in which several molecular events are altered in the spinal cord often resulting in loss of neuronal function. Analysis of the areas directly (spinal cord) and indirectly (raphe and sensorimotor cortex) affected by injury will help understanding mechanisms of SCI. Hypothesis: Areas of the brain primarily affected by spinal cord injury are the Raphe and the Sensorimotor cortex thus gene expression profiling these two areas might contribute understanding the mechanisms of spinal cord injury. Specific Aim: The project aims at finding significantly altered genes in the Raphe and Sensorimotor cortex following an induced moderate spinal cord injury in T9.