Inflammatory Regulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Basic/Translational)

Mentor

Lionel B. Ivashkiv, MD, PhD

Scope

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are progenitor cells distributed in various tissues that have the capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts or chondrocytes and thus to contribute to bone healing or cartilage repair. More recently, potent immunosuppressive properties of MSCs have been identified. Differentiation and function of MSCs are regulated by various inflammatory factors including TNF and IFNg, and this regulation has been implicated in inadequate tissue repair and in active immunosuppression. This project will test the hypothesis that TNF and IFNg regulate MSC phenotype by modulating the Notch signaling pathway, which recently has been implicated in bone homeostasis and which we have linked to TNF and IFNg. We will analyze primary MSCs derived from mouse bone marrow or human bone marrow specimens obtained during spine or joint replacement surgery. In addition, we will study the regulation of induced pluripotent cells (also termed iPC or “reprogrammed” stem cells). The student will work together with a postdoctoral fellow but will be primarily responsible for executing the project.

Contact

Mentor: Lionel B. Ivashkiv, MD, PhD
Contac: ivashkivl@hss.edu